Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-11
CITY NEWS.
CARD FsoM RR. John poNoyAN.

10 the Peopie0f 1fempbis. deem it pro-
per in view of the fact that my name has
been much used in the public prints and
other sources in connection with the late
municipal contest, and 10 correct charges
and impressions. to make a statement OF
Jne motives that actuated meand nay con-
duet during the canvass. / supported
Col. walker for Mayor on the grounds OF
Old citizenship and personal friendship,
feeling from his past services to the Dem
ccratlc party be was fairly entitled TO the
office. was. for the first time in my life
dissatisfied with the nominee of the late
called Democratic Convention. more
properly the packed Convention because
/ bad reason 10 believe its candidate was
tn the interest of a TiRg-alsO the nomi-
nee was disqualified from holding the pO-
sitiou Of Mavor, he being a British sub
ject and not a citizen Of the Eaited States
His answer 70 the bill filed by me inthe
Chancery Court admits on Oath the cor
rectneSs Of my conclusions. Let me here
ssv that. for Mr.. John Johnson. As a pri-
vac citizen, I entertain the highest re-
sDect and kindest feelings, and cheer
fully Sdlpit, if otherwise qualified, he
would maze an excellent officer. I think
ii proper to refer 10 charges made as to my
having large bets made on the
result Of the election, to most en-
phafically dsuv the truth OF
such statement, and do assert, without
fear OF contradiction, haye no., ali told,
bet $50.
I vii now proceed to reply to an abu-
~ive and scurrilOus article which appeared
IN the Ledger OF last evening. Every
cities has the right 10 investigate the
character OF candidates soliciting his
elltfraue; bus do not disclaim that when
public Journalists 3ssail that of others for
The reason OF exercising such right, they
transcend the legitimate duties Of their
position, and must leave the impression
on the public mind that they arc actGatee
bv base and improper motives. Ine 1r'st
charge of the Ledger is, that j. IS pre-
sumptuOus FOR me 10 object 20 John John-
.son i0r Wavor. This is my right and
privilege as a citizen and taxpayer. So
il is OF all others. The second charge, that
J was member Of the l54th Confederate
regiment is not c0rrecI. 1 admit l was a
member Of the 15st Tennessee regiment. /
7 ,, ever took an oath TO the Confederate
GoverIment. The charge Jhat ! did so,
and am tiSereby psrjured villain for de-
sarfinz its cause IS untrue. II is proper at
this stage 70 explain my connection win
the I5ath Tennessee regiment. 4y y resi-
Geuce in Memphis was only q short time.
,%sfore the war ! joined the jackson
en- -rds-a company Of the reglmenU-as
a r,il, +iaman- Soon after the war broke /
7rr v,-t,a y the regiment was called out |
bV fba stats authorities. In obedience TO
sd order. .Nud feelinE ID my duty
as q citizen II me state, Went I
i-7ro the daId w 'th the regiment, Cur 1
.5rut camD was Ra Td0lph. Il is well Z
known that the regiment there was IN I
spected and mustered into me state ser I
vice for twelve months. NO oath was l
then or during my time administered 70 I
! ne regiment. Al the time Of said mus
ter. a great MANY Of the holiday mllllla- /
men. who induced me and others 20 90 IN, /
quietly backed out. and were The loudesJ
seeessionists AZ home. / remained with /
the regiment until the battle Of shiloh /
where was wounded bearing the regi- I
mental colOrs. I was invailded-sent /
home. Ny twelve monLhs having now
eXuired having fulfilled my ODngaIlOns ]
10 nv adopted State, / declined again 10 I
enter the army-the reasons were urgent /
a. already stated. was nearly q stranger I
here before the WAY, having acquired no !
property or means, bur depending upon |
hands Tor the support Of young fam
- 9u my arrival here, I fOuHG my wife .
the necessary means Of if6. I
. , A. 4. ny duty for my State, and was
s--,-,5 - ~ al ties 70 do the same for my
amily Now looa '',E -, - n i;,-i
Johnson. during In, tlL4e -. - !. L'',, -- = e'
lsre. many years. had a. -.
ency FOR his family. fOun7 ~ - i,5.,I1
myself a cOuuLrvmGn OF min -f+,-af
he who could have LEFT his home y, -
.nxiIies for mis- family wants-whar do "
ind him dOingy Why claiming protection
luder the British dag, quietly attending
% his business. while 7 was projecting. al
be risk Of my lie. his home and fireside.
This. then. Is the man who must be Mayor
lf Memphis, whether qualified or not, VINO
5 Iauda-ed 20 the skies. .Slamet on
hGHet Must i be confessed uhs5 tins
rear and growing city has no other ma
.eriZl 10 select a Mayor frUm2
Again. ] am charged with being q de-
'aulter to the State 1892. The editor
usr recouect that some few weeks ago,
=. sn a similar charge was made, 1 con-
= 'cted it by showing IN a card that the
- was indebted 10 me nearly double
- mount that the accounts were
"a tiled. am further charged with
,e-;-.s. x TO defraud the county out OF
- - Nsle tax collector has passed
80 -, 80 - all earthly cares; / cannot
- -, J-ss Va me in this connection; Dut
--I----rl, ~ we not robbed the county, Z
- - ---+, 7et- one dollar from my as
- =. -, fb., late tax collector. As
- - ri ny having collected
'r,--s-- - a I,s-aav,sd widow and apprO-
-5-s-,, Il - NV Own use, II Is untrue.
-a,-i,-, now burrzedIv referred 10 Inc
,s,il,lyis charges I legve IL 20 an lntelll-
anf community # this is tne way or
,,rrss ID. meet the issue as %. IAe qu4!lh-
alton OF Mr.. John Johnson. gsr otue otueI " WISE. lse'
he courts VIII now settle the question:
would be improper for me nov .Is- 70 uls-
uss the matter, but leave IL for ad. ueio''
W. John DONOVAN.