Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-05-20
COLONEL W. l.. DUFF.
Call upon Him 60 Run for Congress
from she Ninth District.

From the Appeal, May 2O.l M
EDIToRs APPEAL-While candidates
are announcing themselves for the vari-
Gus Offices, take this as an opportuEe
occasion to present the merits and
claims Of Colonel W. l.. Duff, and ask
him to announce himself as candi-
date to represent this district in the
next Congress of the United States.
Colonel Duff, although a young man,
has a record that will commend him to
the people of the district who want a
capable and efficient representative.
When the late war broke out he was a
student at college, but left earl y and was
elected captain Of company in the
Seventeenth Mississippi infantry; went
to Virginia, was in the first battle of Ma
nassas, and in all the battles down to
Charlottesville where he was severely
wounded. Learning that his native State,
Mississippi, had been invaded, he got
transfer, and having attained to the rank
of colonel, took command of the Eighth
regiment of Mississippi cavalry, and
served under General Forrest to the end
of the war. Colonel Duff was wounded
twice while in the infantry in Virginia,
and twice afterward in the cavalry, and
was often distinguished among his COM
rades for gallant services in the field.
He received many compliments from his
superiors in rank, and bears many testi-
monials, if he were vain enough to
parade them before the public, that he
made good soldier, AID always acquit-
ted himself handsomely. He won SO
much of the esteem Of his fellow-soldiers
and the admiration Of his countrymen
that soon after the war closed, in 1865, he
was elected by the people of Calhoun, his
native county, as member Of the Legis-
lature of Mississippi by a majority. of near
one thousand votes. In 1865 he was
made aid-de-camp to the Governor of the
State, and in 1866 was elected Major
General Of the State militia. While in
the Legislature caucus of the Demo
cratic members selected him to become
a candidate for Executive of the State at
the next election, but, with the modesty
which always characterizes a man who
feels that he can afford to wait, he de-
clared that he was too young for the po-
sition, and expressing a desire that the
party should insist upon Governor Hum
phreys accepting a reelection, which it
was understood at the time he was re-
luctant to do, Colonel Duff declined to
encourage this partially of his friends
and associate members. In the midst
of this bright career, with such pros
poets, backed by the assuring conf
denee and esteem Of the people among
whom he grew up from boyhood, he be-
came fascinated with the people Of Ten
nessee and made bis home among us.
He has lived in Memphis, practicing
Law as n business, for more thar. five
years; in the meantime becoming thor
oughly identified with our interests,
supporting with his talents and his
money many public enterprises, and
especially devoting himself to the com
pleting Of railroads opening to the west
ward. He has striven quietly and I'M
obtrusively TO perform his part as a
good citlzen-good as citizen as he was
a soldier-and has. not in a single in
stance sought Office or promotion; nor
does he now, but his rare qualities hav-
ing been observed, there is strong de-
sire to have his services in public ca
pacity. With such man, Endorsed by
such a record, in the National Legisla-
ture, the Ninth District Of Tennessee
may cherish just pride in her repre-
sentative, and rest satisfied that her in
terests will be well cared for in his
hands. Colonel Duff having supported
the Democratic party and its nominees
since the war, is now in full sympathy
with the Liberal mOvemen. for the re
demption Of the constitution aud thu
country, and will be in accord with al
measures looking to peace and resiora
ton, if made our representative. hope
therefore, he will announce himself be
fore bis chances for election are fore
stalled by other aspirants pledgini
voters 10 their support SENTINEL.