The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1876-05-11
A CARD.
To II. G. Hampton, and others:

~ a W ha"''phDhf NV "
CONTAMINATION call upon me to be-
come n candidate to represent Franklin
county In the next Legislature has been
read, In the last issue OF the Home Jour
NIL, and carefully considered; and while
this public expression, added to another
list Of name not published In the paper.
together with very many private solicita-
tons. has induced me to yield to the wish
es OF my friends In various parts OF the
county. yet candor compels me to say that
since the war having wholly withdrawn
myself from public life, and for years
thereafter not even read Il political paper,
a return to the stormy arena of politics Is
at the sacrifice of long-cherished predilec-
tio2s, and In conflict with my private In
~terests and feelings.
Though not insensible to the kind offices
and wishes of my friends, | have no over
weening desire for political prefcrment.
To many men the hOnOrs OF office are ex-
ceedingly fascinating and attractive. !
have tasted just enough Of them to know
that they do not necessarily contribute to
happiness, aud are frequently no unat-
tended by eninity and envy. Yet he who
desires to stand forth in defeiise OF great
principles should nCt consider what may
expose him to Obl0quy and envy, but pur-
sue such Il course rs shall force envy to
sncak behind.
Those who know me best are well aware
that the avocatiOns of rural life are con-
cordant with my nature, and while to
many tastes they appear dull and mohoto-
nous, yet to ME a quiet and peaceful coun =
try home is most attractive.
Nor are the consultations of philosophy
and literature to be ignored, to which
Demonthencs retired in Egira, when in
disgrace, he left a country In whose SER
vice he passed the Hover Ofhis life; where
whenever he looked towards Attica the
tears fell from his eyes, and when he ad-
vised the young men who resortcd to him
for Instruction, by nO means TO NEEDLE
with the affairs of State. lie told them.
That if two roads had been shown him at
first, the one leading to the rOStrHm and
the business OfthG Assembly, and the 9TH
or to certain destruction, anG he could have
iorGscen the evils that awaited him in the
political walk, the fears, the envy, the
calumny, and contention, he would have
chosen that road which led to immediate
death ;"
When ambassadors came from Rome to
offer Numa the kingdom, they made him
but q short speech, under the impression
that he would gladly embrace his good
fortune and accept the protfered crown;
but they found it no easy matter to with
draw him from that retirement of which
he was SO fond, and where he had woven
for himself "the soft crown oftranquillity."
To their surprise he made them this ans
wer; Every change Of human lite has its
dangers; but when a man has a suticiency
for everything, and there is nothing in his
present situation to be complained of,
what but madness can lead him from his
usual tract Of life, which if it has no other
advantage has that of certainty, to expe-
Renee another rs yet doubtful and I'M
known"
This much, however, must say in JUS
LITIGATION of my determination to yield to
the wishes OF my friends: No home can
be happy in the present disturbed condi-
ton of the country-ln this terrible con-
fict between labor and capital-in this
governmental revolution from the model
of our fathers, of which the lat, pdSsdde at
arms was but u skirmish among the out
posts.
In this struggle for democratic princi-
Piles | am willing to bear my part. None
Of us lIyeth to himself" and under the So
cial compact every man has relative duties
to perform. There may be, 1 fear, an over
estimate of my abilities, but If the people
of Franklin want my services, my Utmost
powers shall be exerted in their behalf.
1t is not he alone who guides the helm
that enables the snip to ride the storm and
gain the desired port. The faithful, ener-
getic seamen, each one &C his post, wheth-
or upon deck or amid the sails and tack
ling, bear no ignOble part. So in the
ship of State" Subaltern positions have
their fearful responsibilities. OF all men
most to be pitied is q Governor with an in
efficient Legislature.
l am well aware, gentlemen, that bril-
liancy is not one of my characteristics. |
have never aimed at possessing so glitter
Ing a bauble. My object has been through
lie to be cmincntly practical in all the re-
latiOns thereof, and faithfully to discharge
duties assigned me. My utmost ambition
has been to act well my part while on this
stage OfactiOn-to do some good In my day
and generation, II it only be to make two
blades ofgrass grow where one grew be-
fore" to the end chat my latter days may
be tranquil and happy. undisturbed by
that gnawinS remorse which ''biteth like
a serpent and stingeth like an adder" and
which always follows in the footsteps OF
misspsnt time and unimproved oppOrtuni-
ties.
In conclusion, gentlemen, accept assu-
ances of personal regard. Before the
election | hope to form the acquaintance
of every voter in the county, and upon all
suitable occasions shall be pleased to give
expression to my views upon the various
questions that agitatc the public mind.
Respectfully,
JNo. J. W. PAYNE.
Rirerside, Nay Sh, 1876.