The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1870-01-22
CONGRESSIONAL STRATEGY.
From the Nashville Union and American Of the 18th ms,


From the Nashville Union and American Of the 18th Inst
We have been furnished with the sub
joined printed Congressional Circular, which
IS being circulated by the Radical members
from Tennessee;
DEAF SIR: The question of the peculiar
status of Tennessee is engaging the close
attention and scrutiny of the leading Res
publican members of Congress; and, at the
suggestion and earnest request of the most
influential and informed Republicans ef the
State, l take the liberty, in this method, to
communicate to you the fact that it is
desirable and necessary to our success in
bringing the late Gubernatrial election in
Tennessee before Congress at its coming
session, that specific but brief statement
should be sent from every county, clearly
setting forth the extent and character of
the frauds and other illegalities perpetra-
ted during the August canvass; and in
addition thereto, respectful prayer that
Congress take appropriate and immediate
action, to the utmost limit of its power to
rescue the loyal people of Tennessee from
the calamities that have befallen them.
The conduct of Registrars, and those
who acted 10 concert with them to subvert
the franchise law, should be concisely and
pointedly set forth. a large number Of
signers to the petition would not be objec
tionable; and, in fact, it is my opinion
would facilitate Congressional action. Yet
large number of leading men in each
county will be sufficient
All such papers, if not taken by some
trusty person, should be sent by the 1st o.
December or early in the month. to Wash
ington, to the address of Republican
Congressman.
Let there be no delay. The loyal peopl
throughout the country expect every gen
uine Republican in Tennessee to do hi
duty in this dire emergency. Let us no
disappoint them, and thus save Ourselve
from impending disaster.
Your obedient servant,
Just below the above was the followin,
in the handwriting of the Hon. Mr. Smith
member of Congress, SO called, from tn
Memphis district:
Get up the illegal vote of your county
Also a petition to Congress, signed by tn
loyal people of your county, and send /
one of our Republican Congressman will
out delay. act at once"
The friend who sends us the foregoin
says: Documents such as the foregoin
are still in circulation through Tennessee,
All sorts of tricks are resorted to to g
names to these circulars. The names
large numbers of the colored popuulatio
are signed to it wIthoyt any authorit
Others are induced to have their name
t put to it under the belief that they are .
titoning Congress for bounty, or for pei
sions, or for free gifts of lands. If son
i honest Republican member of Congre
would get hold of one of those petitions an
send out the original to the county tow
Il from which it was sent to Washingto
with the request that it be placed in Il
County Clerks Office for examinatio
there is no doubt but that much light wou
/, be thrown upon the radical way of gettir
# up petitions. Isn't Butler or Sumner man
!. enough to tear the sheep skins of of the
e ravenous wolves p
r We submit the above for the purpose
e informing the public, North and South,
o the means which are used by political trio
u sters in desperate straits to save themselv
h from the deluge of public opprobrium.