Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-09-07
NASHVILLE. Sept. 9. 1877


son, j. NJ. Larkin, Sam. johnson,
NJ. ii. Clark, and others:
GENTLEMEN: The call by you
through the Clarksville CHRONICLE,
of the 31st ult., upon me to become a
candidate to represent the Pictorial
district of Stewart and Montgomery
counties in the lower branch of the
next Legislature, is as gratifying as il
was unexpected. Born in the one
county and brought up in the other,
nothing could be more grateful to my
feelings than such an invitation from
my friends and neighbors, unless il
might be the honor of faithfully ac.
complishing their wishes.
But | am now Secretary Of the State
Bureau of Agriculture, and have been
selected as the agent of the Peabody
Fund for Tennessee. In both these
relations to the cause of Agriculture
and of Education, respectively, it is
incumbent on me TO travel over the
State for the purpose of investigating
the interests committed to my charge
and Of endeavoring to point out to the
people, in public discourses, the over
grown paths of their future prosperity
Besides, ] am the prospective editor OF
the Rural Sun, soon to be issued from
the capital of the State as the expo.
nent of its industry and an engine OF
its material and mental advancement
generally; and it will be incompatible
with these obligations for me to can.
vass the district as a candidate for an.
other public position. Moreover, ]
feel that | am too well known in the
district to enhance the chances Of on
election by so doing. My present ap.
pointments were given mo without so
licitation, and / have neither the time
inclination, nor inducement TO become
sutton for Office.
If, however, there be no opposition
to make personal canvass necessary
and l should be the spontaneous
choice Of the people, will givethen
my best services in the Legislature
and be proud to represent constitu
ency which would thus honor me Will
its confidence according to the pure
usages of our fathers in the bette
days of the republic. The popula
heart now swells with an impulse t.
the direct indulgence of its own will
in the selection of its officers of gov
eminent, Being no partisan, / car
have no ends to subserve but the pro
motion of the best interests of m,
State and people. 1t is only in tn,
hope that may be useful in the fur
therance of measures for the advance
ment of their social and material wei
being that l give this qualified consen
to the nomination you have rendered
me.
With these views | leave It's furthe
prosecution to the deliberate iudgmen
of my friends and fellow citizens il
the district, believing that they vii
take such steps as will best promot
harmony and conduce to the highes
q interests of the district, and such a
= will be in accord with the presen
spirit Of the times. ! shall have to in
sist, however, that should it appear in
= dispensable to adhere to the old pro
gramme of party contests and discus
sions upon the stump, you will accep
Z my excuses as an inevitable hindranc
to that undertaking. In any event, b
assured that the terms in which 20
have been pleased to honor me in you
call will forever be more grateful (
my memory than would be the actui
enjoyment of the position to whic
you invite me.
j have the honor, gentlemen, to b,
d very truly and very faithfully,
= Your obedient servant,
c i II klIIERRFW