Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-09-04
ELEOTOR FOR STATE AT LARGE.

ELECTOR FOR STATE AT LARGE.
Committee to Ex-senator Fowler
His Reply.
MAXWELL HOUSE, NASHVILLE, Tenn,
Aug. 81, 1872.-Hon. Joseph s. Fowler
Dear ST.: We have the honor TO inform
you, that the Democratic Convention which
assembled at Nashville on this day to nomi-
nate candidates for Congress and Elector
for the State at large, unanimously nomi-
mated you as the candidate ofthe Democratic
and Liberal Republican parties for the lat
ter position, and the undersigned were APP
pointed committee to inform you of the
nomination and to request your acceptance
of the same.
1t was the sense Of the convention that
in this great battle now being fought for
the restoration of peace and good will
throughout our borders, that the honors and
burdens should be divided, and you are
selected, not only because the convention
remembered and approved yourpast conduct
since the late war in the interest of peace
and restoration, but as the Representative
of those patriots known as Liberal Repub-
licans, who stand upon the Cincinnsti plat
form.
With this in view, the convention, without
a dissenting vo.e, have called upon you to
abandon for time the quiet walks of pri-
vate life to bear the banner of Liberal Re-
publicanism and Democracy through the
pending Presidential canvass. In thus Sc
lecting you the convention by no means
abandoned their organization, neither did
they expect you to become Democrat, but
the Democracy OF Tennessee have thus
shown their willingness to meet you and
your party on half way grounds to fight as
band of brothers in one common cause
for the restoration of peace and good will
in our downtrodden and oppressed coun-
try. We are, sir, very respectfully, your
fellow-citizens,
CLAY ROBERTS,
JOHN II. SAVAGE,
NJ. d. CARDwELL,
Committee.
EX-SENATOR FowLER's REPLY.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 80, 1S72.-Messrs.
Clay Roberts, John II. Savage, NJ. ID.
-Gentlemen:-Yourf favor of the
21st inst, informi ag me of my nomination
as Elector for the State by the Democratic
Convention that met st Nashville, reached
me this morning.
You will accept my thanks for the eour-
teous terms in which you were pleased to
announce the generous action of the body
you represent. Through you gentlemen
desire to tender my sincere thanks to the
convention for this mark Of regard and con-
fdence.
Under ordinary circumstances the con-
vention you represent would not have gone
outside of their own party to find repre-
sentative in such a cause. But the same
patriotic spirit that has marked the course
of your party has led them to surrender
mere party affiliations to the public good.
Confding in the generous purposes of the
convention and the people they represent,
! will endeavOr to meet them on common
platform and earnestly go forward for the
redemption of our common country and
the preservation of our common liberties
from the dangers now menacing them.
In periods like the present, men earnestly
intent upon good do not hesitate about
names or party organizations. The COM
mon rights Of men, the principles of justice
and high public virtue, know no party or
CARNATIONS; they are addressed to human
ity and the tribunal of individual con-
science. 1t is fortunate when the organi-
cation can rise up to the die
tates of individual and personal re-
sponsiblity. Whilst it is a source
of qualification TO find the Democratic party
of Tennessee able to submit its action to
the highest tribunal known to humanity,
personal convictions of duty, it is equally
gratifying TO know that they can do this
without modification or the violation of any
of their ancient and honored principles.
1t is no less source of pleasure to the
patriotic Republican TO meet those with
whom be has often been called in the time
of bis duty 10 differ, upon common
ground, where each is struggling to achieve
the greatest good for a country equally dear
TO both. When be too can unite with his
fellow citizens in so noble work, without
forsakiDg single national or personal in
terest, be cannot hesitate. am aware that
party prejudices, formed by common sacri-
fees, victories and defeats, are hard to eff
face. 1t is not done without struggle
and conquest over ourselves. The great
er the effort 10 achieve the result,th nobler
the Individuals and parties that succeed. 1t
is a result so honorable and difficult to at
tain that it must never be expected unless
under the influence of the puTest and high
est inspirations Of patriotism and duty.
These come from the times and circum-
stances that surround US. They cannot
come from the decisions Of caucus or the
ordinary dissppOintments and aspirations
of men.
This is no ordinary period in our histo-
~. All nations have their periods which
mark great changes in the character of their
frame work. Monarches become more
republican and gradually pass under
the dominion Of the people. Republics
that have attaind high degree OF liberty
seldom go forward, they are ever in danger
Of lapsing into arbitrary forms. These dan
gers are always more Imminent during or
after great civil commotions. The general
demo: alizatiOn consequent upon long wars,
the ambition Of military leaders that have
been successful have too often succeeded
the triumphing over their country. The
people sedu1ed by gratitude to the military
chieftains TOO often relax that vigilance
which alone can protect the liberties of the
State. History is fun of mournful instances
ofunchasiised ambition ascending to thrones
over ruiued country, and that through the
gratitude of the people for brilliant services.
The reader of history and the close observer
ofmen have not failed to recognise alarming
symptoms of 8 continuing decline from the
highest expressi IN Of free government to
the most dangerous forms Of government
ofWill. 1t is not the part Of a waychful
prudence toawait for complete changes. The
earliest tendencies must be promptly
checked or il viii be impossible to arrest
power once fairly in motion. 1t is fatal
error TO suppose that our Institutions are
not beset with the same enmities and
causes OF Generalization that have sur
round I'd other free governments. Men are
now the same beings as they were two
thousand years ago; but progress in the
useful arts are as effective in the hands OF
usurpatiol as They are in those OF conser-
walton. They viii only hasten our fall
when onc5 we rust ourselves TO a decep-
tive clrrent. When purposes are manifested
looking to The subyersion of our institutions,
whether intended By the actors for the &C
QUESTION Of power or not, if is the duty of
the people Individually and collectively to
apply at once a corrective.
Let no man deceive himself with the cry
that there is no difference in the parties,
that this is contest between the ms and