Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-09-01


| would submit my claims to that eonven-
ton, abide its action and support its nomi-
nee. AT. er time had been allowed for con
sultation, and due consideration, that con-
vention met, and was nominated as its
candidate. believe it was fairly organized
and expressed honestly the preference OF
two-thirds of the people whom it undertook
to represent; otherwise would not be be-
| fore you to-day,
believe that to act well is mora impor-
tant and beneficial than to speak well, and
have endeavored throughout nv life to
act well in whatever / engage. Though
not a professional politician, | have from
boyhood taken lively interest In public
| affairs, and believe ii / an elected to the
Congress ofthe United States, shall be at
no loss to determine what is the true inter-
est of my people. That will stand by and
/ promote your interest to the best OF my
/ ability, no one who knows me will cues
ton. l have heard but two objections urged
to my election; first, it is objected that
have been a soldier-a General off .er
My countrymen, is there any force in this
| objection? When | was a little boy my
mother put in my hands Weems'
life of Washington, and taught me
to believe that the character of that
great citizen-soldier was model for
every American youth. Learned then to
think and feel that the highest type of citi-
zenship was man who would imperil his
life in defense of his country. Inmy early
| life 1t was the custom of our people to meet
every Fourth of July and pay tribute to the
memory of our Revolutionary fathers, whose
heroism on the battlefield had achieved our
! liberty and independence. was raised IN
the shadow of the Hermitage, and was
taught by my father to love the name OF
Jackson-Tennessea's greatest soldier. I'm
der such instructions, when l reached mans
estate, felt it to be my duty, when my
country was involved in war, to respond 10
her call for soldiers. When, years ago, the
United States Government called for vol
unteers, to carry the stars and stripes in
triumph to the halls of the MOntezumas, L
for one answered the call, and hope so
acted in that contest as to bring no dis
credit to my native state. Ii erred in 50
doing, L erred in common with Campbell
and frousdale and hosts of Others, whom
heretofore you have delighted to honor. La
later years when our country became uni
happily involved in civil war, and tie
StaCe of Tennessee called upon her son
to defend her tights and your homes, |
again answered TO the call, and, if erred
in that, erred in sen iment, if not in ac-
ton, with vast majority tf my f4llow-cit-
zens. In becoming soldier to the extent
to which have been one, was prompted
| by no ambitious motives; | sought simply
| TO do my duty as understood 1t; | asked
and expected no reward; but L viii ad
NIT it never &C urred to me that the day
could ever come in which my Efforts 10 pro-
tact the weak and defend the homes and
| tiresides of my countrymen and State,
would be urged as an objection 10 my be
ing trusted with civil Office.
Fellow-citizens, if / had been one Of those
| quasi military men who took q position in
The rear, aud abused his power 10y tyran-
nizing over helpless women and disaImed
citizens, the objection would be a good one.
But made no war on tie defenseless; l
neverid isturbed their peace, nor wasted thei
property; no citizen can raise his hand and
say ever sought to Cypress him. When
borne down by overwhelming numbers, We
were forced to surrender, ana the war was
ended, L accepted the situation upon
the honor of soldier, aud re-
turned to the pursuits of peace. | am
now farmer, and nothing more. In my
humble way, 1 have laoored earnestly,
from that day to this, for peace and recoG-
citation. The great body of Confederate
soldiers, who shared with me the dangers
and hardships OF that war, have done Ike
wise. We feel that we have not di
honoured our mother State, and that she
will not dishonour US for having discharged
patriots duty; besides it has been demon
strated that the presence of Confederate
soldier in Congress excites no sensation,
and is not made cause Of objection. As
evidence of This, will only cite you to GeI-
eral Lewis, of Kentucky; General Ransom,
of North Carolina, and other distinguished
soldiers who now occupy seats in Congress.
The second, and only other objection
that has been urged against me is that
man is wanted who, in the language a he
objectors-can make Rome howl" Eel
low-citizenS, if Tennessee needs such
man in Congress, the objection is a grave
one, for l have neither the peculiar talent
nor the aspiration to become an agitatOr or
a political gladiator in Congress. Crimina-
ton and recriminatiOn are often the Off
spring of reckless hearts impelled by al
overlapping ambition, and subserve at best
but bad purposes.
In Legislative halls wisdom, moderation,
honesty and justice should bear sway, and
not ambition, envy, hatred, malice, and all
uncharitableness. But at this juncture Of
our affairs, above all others, when the |
era Of peace, reconciliation, and OF good |
feeling seems to be approaching, is it deslra- |
bic that, Tennessee should be represented in !
Congress by any one whose presence might |
create discOrd? think not. 1 dc not believe |
in our present situation, that my State ard |
other Southern States can be relievedlor ben |
Gifted in that way. | believe that manly |
but quiet policy is best for us. If l am
elected TO represent you, shall endeavor
by manly but civil demeanor to acquire
such respect as will enable me to exert an
influence in your behalf. But if, in your
judgment, the demands of the times require
an agita.or, | am frank to say that | would
not answer your purpose. With regard to
national pc itics, belong to the great bro
therhood of Conservative men throughout
the country who are combining to elect a
reform candidate to the Presidency in the
person of Horace Greeley.
Laying aside party politics and partisan
passions and prejudices, and regarding him
as the representative candidate of the great
Ideas of Ieace, harmony, reconciliation and
: restoration of the Union and Constitution
70 the hearts affections of the people every
where, know of no man, either North or
South, who could with more pl Opriety be-
pitched upon as such representative candi-
late than Horace Greeley. AS such accept
m cordially. and shall support him hoi t!y,
sincerely aud earnestly. He is honest, just
and patriotic. His honestly will be safe
guard to your property; his justice to your
quality in the Union and before the law:
MS patriotism to your honor, welfare and
as nation, and his phiDan-
hropy to the interests Of humanity and
civilization everywhere. regard the en-
,uing Presidential election as one of
7ast Importance, involving the welfare,
and happiness of the peo-
Die for years to come. l shall, therefore,
lrge those who think with me to do every {
hing in their power, everywhere, to pro- !
note harmony and unity of action. Or
,anize and act-organize that you may act '
With force and effect. "United we stand, /
livided we fall" is an old saying, never
ruer than now, and one hope you will !
,nn6pr wall hafora no Iau 81 oIoo,;on !