Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-10-01
SPEECH OF GEN, CHEATHAM.

Fellow Citizens and Ladies:
stand before you as Candidate for
Congress for the State az large, to
represent the great Conservative
Democratic Party of the State. The
regular nominee Of a Convention, reg,
niurly called by the Chairman of the
Central Committc of the State of
Tenn, at Nashville. on the 2lst of
last month; which Convention was
one Of the largest and most respec-
tsble ones that ever met in the State
ST Tenn, and | believe had the lar
gsst representation of any which has
ser met. whether Wing, Democrat.
ie or Republican. Furty-nine COun-
ties we're represented. according 30
tha best Of my recollection Ny
Competitor. General Andrew Johson
lag dubbed it no more than a packed
Contention. l deny the charge /
20 50 flr as to say, ifany packing was
lone, it was done by my competitor
and h;s friends. At the Convention
vAich met last May. and nominated
GOV. Broxn for Governnr--at that
'imc, bill was passed before Con
.ICss TO allow al additional member
Eut for the interference Of one or two.
J would have received the nomin2
rion then. Boz thcy passed reso-
gtion, 90 allow the central commit
'ee 10 nominate. In June from the
:;h to the 9Th, the committee met.
tiy asme, and that ofmy compe1i-
%, Gen. johnson, were the only
asmcs before it. The committee
il that there was too much respon-
,ib;hty. and agreed to call conven-
llon. One of the committee, Mr..
B7ooks, said President Johnson woald
hot abide the action Of the convcn-
lion, but one ofhis friends. Mr. Blew
ms Of Hawkins, rose and pledged
lin. Jno c. Burch, also Hawley,
and probably other gentlemen freely
discussed the matter. President
Johnson did not hear of that pledge.
The convention met. His name did
rot 60 before it. His frieads with
drew. That afternoon | met the
Residents political friends
and asked them why they we're so
lew. They replied that Mr.. johnson
aad requested his friends not to at
send The man who told me this,
was Mr.. James White. of Hawkins.
lie was tampering with his friends
not me. The General at Grecnville
n his first speech after the Nashville
convention, said the convention was
.omposed of prejudiced confederate
soldiers of Team. He has n prejudice
gainst the confederate Generais-a
'errible prejudice against rebel Gen
rals. l appeal to him to know
sow many rebel Generals are repre-
>cnted in the Offices of the State?
en-. Brown is the only one.
have always taken an active and
-Oly interest in the dcmocractic
arty. l worked for Andrew
-hnson twenty years This is the
st time have asked for Office
stand here to represent the demo-
tic party of the State. | appeal
them to stand by me as their STAN
I'd bearer. This is the second
ne | have ever tried to make
-eech. / have very little to say,
aept plain common sense talk =
am elected, as am certain to be
bout amp possible doubt. pro-
Sc to be acorking member. | am
tactical man, and | think | know
wants Of Tennessee, as well as
.aer Of my competitors. l will
e time TO work, as have no axe
Irind. ] will have no friends to
ard, or enemies to punish-noth-
but the good of the country to
TX for. Millions and millions
eS Of land have been given away.
ought to have our share, either
and or money. The Tennessee
ever should be improved, so as to
re it the finest navigable stream
he world. We want some custom
ses. 1t is time we bad SOD of
e public pap.
IS | said before. | believe firmly