Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-21
HON. EDWIN H. EWING.
Why NE Permitted His Name to be
Presented 10 the Judicial Con.
ypnfiOn


MURFREEsBoRo, July IS, 1870.
To the Editor of the Nashville Banner:
| am so frequently asked to explain
how came to submit to a convention,
after giving notice that | would not be
bound by one, that have concluded,
with your leave, to give public explain
alton. My explanation then is this:
When the first movement toward a
convention was made in West Tennes-
see, / expressed myself privately OPP
posed to it upon the ground that there
was no necessity for it, especially none
in Middle Tennessee. Besides, ] had
seen enough of conventions to know
that they were easily made instru-
ments of fraud and that their avails
usually fell to the most tricky AID
audacious. With this general distaste
TO conventions was soon connected a
strong suspicion ON my part that there
was a specific, malign influence at work
of a partisan and personal character.
In the meantime delegates were APP
pointed from several counties lin one
instance called Democratic), and when
simultaneously the counties of Sumner
and Maury had taken action in this d.
rectiol, followed Immediately by sug
gestion of a convention by the Union
and American, felt my suspicion above
not little strengthened. 1t is true the
suggestion of the Union and American
was not determinately of a nominating
convention, but ] thought / could see
very well what its advisory council would
result in. It seemed to me time to speak
out unless / intended to abide by con-
ventions action; honor required it.
i am free now TO admit that my per-
spicacity was at fault If ! had not in
teryened, the convention lin spite Of
some evil inhuences) would have been
so composed as easily to have given me
nomination. When / had taken my po-
sition, however,, neither nor my friends
could consistently interfere to secure
delegates even in counties that were I'M
questionably favorable to my preten-
sions The consequence was that in
some counties-such as Rutherford, where
| reside, and Cannon, where the bar had
unanimously recommended memo dele
gates were appointed; in Davidson, where
/ was born, and had lived for fifty years,
and where four-fifths of the people and
bar were for me, delegation opposed to
me was appointed and in other counties
the other candidates or their friends had
just such delegates appointed rs they
desired.
In this state of affairs the Convention
assembled; it was much larger and more
respectable than had supposed itwould
be. The delegates had been told that !
was disorganizer, a contemner Of its
authority, and that it would be Of evil ex-
ample to all future Conventions TO allow
my name to be even considered. My
friends in the Convention land ] had
many Of them thought, on the contrary.
that my opposition TO a Convention was
no reason against my nomination by it;
they thought notwithstanding my I'M
prepared condition. that they were
strong enough to nominate me, and they
urged, as a reason for my yielding to the
action Of the body, that their condition
would be awkward in supporting me
against that action to which they we're
about TO become parties. These consid-
erations, especially the last, had strong
influence upon me. Besides, felt that
II might be considered presumptuous
and wicked in me 70 agitate the whole
State for what might seem at least mar
row and selfish object.