Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-10

Address Of G. c. Giers 10 the Citizens
of Davidson COunty-He is q Peace
MAN, Opposed TO Republication and
Convict Labor, and I'm Favor of Re-
trenchmenI, Reform and ImmIgra-
grafton.
Fellotc- Citizens: Having had the honor
of being nominated by the late Democratic
Conservative County Convention a can
didate for the House Of Representatives,
and having been prevented by my business
engagements to appear personally before
you, adopt this method of informing you
of my views in regard as 10 what ought to
be done for the future prosperity Of our
State.
First and foremost / wish to stat that l
am a peace man in every sense Of he word
and in favor IF giving full and equal protec-
ton before the law, to all citizens without
regard TO. race or color. Peace is the foun-
dation Of all good society, and no cOmmu-
nifty can prosper unless this great blessing
prevails within her borders. The recent
criminal and most barbarous acts of law
less marauders must be deplored by every
Well-meaning citizen, and We are proud TO
see that Gov. Brown is doing his whole
duty TO bring those law-breakers to justice,
and that they will not escape their just
punishment. Such acts as these cannot but
give our State a bad name abroad, and will
prevent capital from being invested here,
and keep many worthy people from seek
ing home among us.
The time has come when all good citi-
zens who wish to see the South prosper
should lay aside all prejudice and forget
whether man wore a blue or gray coat
during the rebellion, but instead, welcome
all good, industrious newcomers to our
beautiful State without regard to their pO
litical or religious opinions. am in favor
of our public school system, and hope to
see our State rank foremost in the march
for education and intelligence | am of
opinion that great saving to the State may
be effected by abolishing all sinecure or
unnecessary Offices, and by employ
ing none but very able men, pay
ing them liberal salary, or,
If by fees, TO let all above certain amount
be paid back into the treasury. Th0 en-
barTassed condition of our finances renders
it necessary that the utmost economy should
be used in all our expenditures, so as to
enable us to pay our liabilities promptly. l
am against reputation, as j believe that
States and corporations are as much in hon
or bound TO pay their Just debts as private
citizens. immigration should be encour-
aged as much as possible, and if we cannot
afford Just now to send commissioner 10
Europe, j think it eXpedient that liberal
sum shOH4d be appropriated towards pub
fishing the resources of our
State in pamphlet form in
some of the most prominent European
languages. When on visit to my native
home last year, was often asked by per-
sons wishing to come 20 this country, as to
its resources, climate and other particulars,
and hays no doubt that if had had the
proper Official documents to give to them
for information, that quite a number of
them might have settled in our own State,
who have since found homes in the North
west. Being in favor Of immigration it
follows of course that l should set my
face against bringing convict la
Dor in competition with our
honest and skillful mechanics. / consider
immigration and manufacturing Of the ut
most necessity to build up our waste places
and to make us self-supporting, prosper
GUS people, as of old. The first will create
a demand for our waste lands, and make
them productive once more; the other will
bring our hidden mineral treasures to light
and produce among ourselves such articles
as We are now procuring from abroad at a
great pecuniary loss 20 the State.
/ have lived in this city for nearly TWEEN
ty-four years, the best part of my life, and
have always contributed freely to the full
extent of my means to any enterprise which
promised to benefit The city or State, and l
expect TO continue to DO so in the future.
l have never been an applicant for any
office, and it is only at the request Of a
great many Of my valued friends and fel-
low-citizens, both native and nat
uralized, that | have consented
to let my name 60 before the
Convention, knowing full well that many
ADLER men could have been found to repre-
sent your interests. Should be elected I
will promise to serve you faithfully TO the
best of my ability. As it would take too
much space to give you my views more
fully, have given You this brief abstract
of what believe to be for the best interest
of my adopted State.
remain your obedient servant,
c. {. GIERs.
n cu1-rrTz naf IN 1874