Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-09-07
Democratic and Conservative Party,
For Governor.
JAMES D. PORTER. of Henry County.
TIE CONGRESSIONAL CONVENTION.


Some of the candidates and delegates
left to-day and the main body of the lat
ter will leave tomorrow morning at six
o'clock by special train for the Bolivar
Convention, which is to nominate can
didate to represent the Tenth Congress
sional District in the next Congress.
Our delegation is one of the best ever
selected to attend any convention. No
one can read over the list of worthy
names without feeling assured that they
will act for the best interests and faith
fully carry out the wishes of the people.
They were elected for their intelligence,
sound Judgment and 60 unpledged into
the Convention. At Bolivar they viii
doubtless meet the best men of Fayette
and Hardeman counties, where all will
make their local and personal prefer
ences subservent to the general public
welfare. While we believe that any one
new before the people as a candidate
could be elected if nominated, it should
be the aim of the convention TO noml-
nate a man who can not only serve us well
in.Congress, but who can meet the cham
pions of Radicalism on the stump with
out fear Of being worsted, and add to
rather than detract from the Democratic
and Conservative party. Our people
are flushed with victory, but at such an
hour the utmost GOODNESS and delibera-
ton are required. A slight mistake
might lose us much of the great major
ity rolled up at the August election and
pave the way for future Radical success.
Our present distinguished member of
Congress is recupersting his powers at
some distant watering place. and, no
matter who may be nominated, will re-
tarn and take the field against him, anG
It is not unlikely that he will reorganize
his demoralized party and bring out a
full vote at the November election. A
number of excellent gentlemen are be-
fore the people as candidates. 1t is un-
necessary to designate them. Each one
has his peculiar elements of strength
and popularity. Other gentlemen have
been mentioned who have declined to
run, or thus far have not signifed
desire to be nominated. Some Of
them are perhaps available and emf
nentIy we'll qualified to make the race
and to serve US in Congress. 1t seems
TO be desired, however, that all who have
aspirations should let it be known in
time, to the end that their names might
be discussed freely in advance. Notably
among those who decline to run is Col
Landon G. Haynes, who in letter to
the Avalanche Of yesterday presents
some facts and figures in regard to the
canvass Of two years ago which are
worthy OF consideration. After abiding
TO the fact that the district, which then
included Upton county, contained, &C.
sording to the census, a population OF
,IOl whites and 1892 blacks, to:the
white Republican vote then estimated at
1900, to the imported negro vote of about
1000, to apathy Of Depocrsts on account
of Greeley's nomination, % the dissen-
sions between the friends Of J,hnson and
Cheatham, to the candidature Of Col
Al. Kellar and the adverse influence
Of the Avalanche, and to the disadva.
tages of carrying Greeley, he says:
These returns show that in Shelby,
while Mr.. Greeley received $685. votes,
Mr.. johnson 1884, General Cheatham
3747, received GIG votes. At the
same time the regular Democratic nom
inees for the Legislature, who, like my
self. ran on the Democratic ticket-gen.
tlemen Of admitted popularity, integrity
and ability-received on an average
about $500 votes each.
In Fayette, Mr.. Greeley received l445
Mr.. johnson l73, General Cheatham
1862, and received 1926 votes.
In Upton, Mr. Greeley received 1884
Mr.. johnson 242, General Cheatham
1905, and received l405 votes.
In Hardeman, Mr.. Greeley received
1874, Mr.. johnson 5s5, General Cheat
ham 1914, and i received 1858 votes
Thus it appears that my vote in the
District exceeded Mr.. Greeleys about
100. General Cheatham's about 1880
and Mr.. Johnson's about 1854 votes
The result shows that / received the
votes of all the friends of Mr.. Greeley
and more, and Of the great body of the
friends of both Mr.. johnson and General
Cheatham, which could not have been
otherwise than high personal gratifca-
ton to me.
A great change has been wrought
since then. The discussions in the party