Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-27

To the People Of Tennessee:
A number of the leading journals Of Tan
nessee having announced me az their
choice for Governor of the State at its an
suing November election, hope will be-
pardoned for relieving myself in this
authoritative manner from unjust impress
sions which have been engendered against
me in certain localities. On my return
from visit to East Tennessee, I am sur
prised to learn that doubts exist as to
whether l will submit my claims to the
nominating convention called by the Ex-
ecutive Committee of the State, and that
doubts are also entertained Of my precise
political affiliations. am unwilling TO
achieve success on an equivocal platform,
and have, therefore, no hesitation in de-
Glazing my sentiments upon these ones
tons, as have already done on many pre-
vious occasions to the people, both in East
and West Tennessee. The political parties
as they formerly existed in the
Southern States persisted with the
late war, and their names as well az
their creeds belong now to history. There
are now but two national parties, the one
the Radical Republican party; latitudins-
rian In principle, wasteful and partial in
its disposition of the public domain, reck-
less In its expenditures Of the peoples
money, partisan and proscriptive in its
legislation, and utterly regardless of the
safeguards of the Constitution. The other
the national Democratic party, battling
for constitutional rights, economy in the
administration Of the Government, the
reduction of taxes, and the restoration of
the Government to its ancient landmarks,
and is composed of all msn-by whatever
names heretofore known-who seek to
wrest the country from the dominant
power, and save it from utter ruin. With
one of these parties every man in Tennes-
see who would cast his vote and contribute
his influence in the direction of his politi-
cal faith must unite. No middle ground can
be occupied, and neutrality at this
juncture would, in my opinion,
be criminal. Entertaining such SEN
timents it is scarcely necessary for me
to add, that am in full accord with the
National Democratic party, and stand In
political faith where I did in June, 1868,
when I had the honor as chairman Of the
committee to report resolutions to the State
Convention then sitting at Nashville; and
shall earnestly labor in the ranks or else
where In the great battle which is being
W bhns DoASy AOA bL5 RAAIClB4Co VI
constitutional liberty
The Convention which will soon as
semble in Nashville will be largely COM
posed of the intelligence of the State, and
its deliberations will doubtless be charac-
terized by moderation and patriotism. The
Executive Committee have invited all the
elements opposed to Radicslism to be re-
presented, and am confident its deGber-
ofio har 20, ,brr5
produce unity both of purpose and &C
ton, that while it will be irresistible, will re-
store our State to tranquility and re-
pose, and while WnHeatatingly announce
ayself a Democrat, yet to this convention
of the people l submit my claims, and
doubt not its wisdom will find way to
harmonic the action Of all the true lovers
of constitutional freedom, and will abide
its action, believing, as do, that the basis
Of organization and political faith must and
will be antagonistic to the Radical despot-
ism now in power. In my opinion the po-
litical sentiments enunciated in the plat
form of principles adopted by the Ohio De-
n,Ocracy, to which public attention in the
State has been recently directed, are
In the main q platform upon which
We can and viii unite. That platform, / might
add, might probably be more specific in de-
claring that the $40 bonds should and
must be paid in the lawful currency of the
United States. This is both in consonance
with the act of Congress authorizing their
issue and Just to Gn overtaxed people.
These are questions of State and national
policy, that the limits of this communica-
ton will not allow a response to, but which
at the proper time 1 will cheerfully discuss
before the people.
Respectfully, JOIN @. Brown.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 26, 1870.