Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-25

Calhoun, Webster and Benton we find tha
the United States Senate, that dignifed
body, was the pride of the nation. But il
has now dwarfted into mean insignicance
through the tricky and connivance Of dis
honest men. Whoever has the largest
purse is the man who is to get to be United
States senator in these days when corrup-
tionthat terrible usurper ofthe peoples rights
reigns supreme. What would you suggest
as a remedy for this. Bring the power of
representation before the people, and give
thsm the right to elect their Senat ors
instead of allowing them to be appointed by
the legislature. While talking about the
abuses of the government, it would be well
for me to mention fact relative to the or
garic law governing the nation. Senator'S
should be chosen once in six years by the
qualified voters of the country, and as they
are to remain in office sometime and advo-
cate your rights from their respective dis
tricts, it would be well for you to
choose such men as shall labor
most earnestly in your behalf.
know that many object to this kind of
talk and say that none but demsgogues
would talk SO. If it is demageguism,
would to God thet we had more dema-
gogues. cloud cheers}.
| shall not attempt 10 make any very
lengthy remarks to night, but came here
more to tender you my thanks for this
display Of your sentiment and appre-
citation than for anything else. 1t shows me
that the people want to bring out what
good there still is in the constitution. It
NAV be safely assumed that the greatest
wrong that can be done people, is that
which comes from arbitrary oppression, and
disrespe of ir 9 Itaole rights. Go back to
Congre SIS and see the long list of uncalled
for laws which have been the results of
nearly all the disasters that have befallen
the SoutL. The constitution has been
violated from eve, the peo-
ple," to Gen. George WashingtOn's
signature. 1t is said by some, and quite
Faithfully, that the constitution is dead.
Those who still dare to stand forth and adj
vocate the constitution in its original purity
are called sold fossils.n 1t is the earnest
wish of my heart that the constitution as
defined by the old Bourbon Democracy,
may still be handed down to the people of
the United States. 1t is now, however, called
but the ghost of a constitution. Alex. Stevens
with his long bony finger, pointed scorn-
fully at the Senate not long ago, and, said
he, with his sepulchrai voice, "You have
but the ghost of Constitution left" Alas,
what a world of solemn meaning did that
short sentence contain. But, if the Consti-
tuition is dead, l should go with you,
friends, and with the aidance of the
Divine Being above, help you resurrect it.
Since my name has been spoken of as a
candidate for Congressman many hard
things have been said against me. But as
the vocabulary of invectives and walls OF
wrath have already began to become IA
miliar to me, / am not afraid but what
can stand the idle wrath of those who seek
to iDiure me. 1 am not candidate, Ia
voice; (.you must bel and even i | wSs it
could have no greater effect. In snort,
friends, l am used to it. daughter
When l left home did not anticipate be-
ing a nominee for Congressman. They
thought though, as Alexander Stephens
thought of the constitution, that was per-
haps ''ghost" of candidate. Very I'M
expectedly to me, found people all over
the State SOLICITORS that should be
candidate, and even many Of the
papers have put nay name at tbs
head of their columns; but, mark you,
without ever being paid cent by me-
IGreat applause.l
[ have filed all the offices within the gift
of the people, from The lowest to the high
est, made many very warm friends and
some few enemies, though the most danger
GUS enemy l ever had has been
from my own camp-the most
treacherous arrow, one sped by the bow
Of one of nv own archers. With Gods
aid intend standing up for the working
men of my country. rumultuOus cheer
ing. think l lave had about as much
ingrstitIde heaped upon me as any otter
public man. [Cries, ''yOu have."l But to
expect gratitude from politicians for past
favors is folly; The future in glittering, daz-
ziing prospectivyis the only thing that has
sufficient effect upon them to cause them
to be grateful. Since came in your midst,
what charges against me have ] heard?
Way, that while ! was Military Governor
of this State prosecuted the people. What
are the facts? When l was Military Gov
ernor of Tennessee, l came to Nashville
Just as it was evacuated. Here found the
suffering wives and children of soldiers who
had been conscripted into the army.
In order to alleviate their sufferings
levied tax upon the men who had paid
TO stay at home, with such results as you
all know. In leVying this contribution it
was said that was ''feathering my own
nest" The truth is, that not single cent
of the money ever passed through my
bands. If there is any Confederate soldier
who says that ] have done wrong in help
ing to support his suffering family, while
he was compelled to leave them, would
like to confront him tonight.
AS one important step toward constitu-
tional reform, let us remove Grant from
the Capitol of the United States, where he
is mildewing and blighting all that comes in
contact with him. If Mr.. Greeley comes
up to what be has promised we will support
him. We will stand by him in every good
that he seeks to further. i believe him to
be an honest man, and above bride.
With my notions of application
to business have succeeded in obtaining
q sufficient amount of money to keep me
Having no desire to obtain
more at present, / solicit not your favor.
In reply TO the request you have made
of me to night to tell you my views upon
the subject of the political issues OF the
day. will say that if you are determined
to stand by the Constitution, l am deter
mined to stand by you. If you wish that
should announce myself as your candi-
date, ferries, we do, we
dol why then you should
nominate Inc yourselves, ferries we do, we
do I If you make the nomination and
choose me as your standard bearer, VIII
do as 1 always have done,-serve You WIN
true fidelity and devotion.
IThe excitement when this announce
ment was made, beggars description, cheer
after cheer was vigorously given, and Tor