Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-14
BRAVE WORDS.
Hon. John r. HOase 20 the People of
the Sixth Congressional District.

the Sixth Congressional District.
To the people Of the Sixth Congressional
Districi, composed of the counties Of Da-
watson, Cheatfrnrr,, Dickson, Humphreys,
Stewart ana Montgomery:
L have received many solicitations from
friends in all the counties in this district
to become a candidate for Congress. and
the people Of some Of the counties, in pri-
sEsry meeting, have done Inc the distin-
guished honor of expressing a preference
for me fortllat position.
To these unsolicited expressions of
kindness and Partiality, l have RETAINED
from making any public response, as l de-
sired TO avoid even the appearance Of at
tempting to fOrestall or embarTasS a free
and untrammeled utterance by the people
OF the entire district, as to their choice Of a
candidate TO represent them in the Con
greSS Of the United States.
The Committee for the District, as YOU
are aware, have called R convention to
assemble in GAINESVILLE on the ID day of
September, to nominate candidate. Their
action meets my entire appreciation. The
public Offices Of the, county belong 90 no
lHan or set of men, they are created for the
public good and belong to the people. The
IHcumbents Of those Offices are the agents
of the people, and l recognize their right
to select their own agents in their own
way.
4 convention may as well represent the
will of the people as any other method that
/, 4 81 l.
Of greater convenience over other modes
that have been suggested to settle conflict
ing aspirations.
The disastrous campaign Of 1872 admOn-
lshes us that we cannO. hope for success
with a division in our ranks and a multi
plicity of candidates in thu field. If we
desire success, let us have the manhood
ani patriotism to forget past diSsensiOns,
AMI thus adopt the only means 10y which
1t can be achieved. United. we are in
vincIble, divided among ourselves, we have
been and can again be defeated.
Ii we do not desire success, let us stack
our arms, fuTl our banners, surrender I'M
conditiOnally to the enemy, and give them
our parole of honor to fight them no more.
II it is matter of indifference to our peO-
PIE as to who SHALL control our State gov
eminent, or represent them in the national
councils. they can fold their arms and per-
init their strength to be FILTERED away in
personal contests. If the Democratic or
Conservative party has no higher objects in
view :han 20 suffer itself to be used as a
Convenient Spring-board from which politi-
cal chiCftainS NAV throw themselves into
power, it is not worth preserving, and the
sooner it retires from The scene of action,
the better. But il il has principles TO de-
fGnd; if il means to make itself a power in
shaping the deStinies Of the country; if it
means 10 confront and dispute the farther
march of the dominant party in its inrOads
upon the government which our fathers left
us, it must put on its whole aTmOT, diSci-
pine its forces, close up its ranks and sup
pc.ss all Inutinies. Let the people come
10 the trout, take their own affairs into
their own bands: perfect thorough organ
lzaiIon and compel obedience to their be-
heSts.
Let all candidates who think their own
personal aspirations of more Importance
than the success Of their PARTY. be given to
understand that the people ale in earnest
and do not mean to tolerate any expert
ments upon their success or to have their
strength divided into mere personal quar-
relS, and they will have harmony and sweep
the State 10y an overwhelming majority in
November.
IL The convention called 10 meet On the
2d Of September should 10 ne the honor
Of making me lis nominee. shall accept
the nomination, and to the extent of nv
humble ability labor 10 have that numina-
tion ratified 1t the polls. But if they
should IN their wisdom select another, l
shall not only submit TO their better
judgment in the premises, but give TO their
nominee my honest and earnest support.
J,HN F. HOUSE