The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-08-23

I shall earnestly advocate the en-
forcement of the Constitution and
the laws. federal and State. l be-
lieve in the punishment, by indlct-
ment and conviction. of all iawiess-
ness. no matter where it may occur
or who may be the offenders.
/ stand ready to vindicate the con-
stitutionaI and legal rights OF every
man, no matter OF what race. nation
ality, or color, and without regard to
his previous condition or opinions.
stand ready to resist any and all
efforts to intimidate or coerce the
exercise of the elective franchise.
believing that every citizen should
vote his honest opinions in every
election.
l am opposed to military govern
ment in time of peace. and shall
earnestly oppose the policy of re-
manding any of the States back to
territorial form of government.
While / shrink from no RESPONSE
bility which attaches to me by rea-
son Of my past official action. it is
evident that the revival and discus
sion of the merits aud dement's of
the issues Of the war can only irritate
and arouse our worst passions, and
lead to no practical or good result.
When the Confederate soldiers
surrendered their arms eleven years
ago the people of the Confederate
States surrendered with them, in
good faith. the issues in which the
war had its origin. From that day
every intelligent citizen of these
States has regarded the issues of the
war as settled, finally and forever
settled, and has endeavored to make
himself law-abiding. good citizen.
deeply interested in the peace. pros
perity and happiness of not only his
State, but all the States of the Union.
If we would make this country
prosperous and happy, the people,
North and South, must place them
selves upon higher plane. broad
er nationality, aud a broader broth
erhood; forget the sectional prejudi-
ces and hates which have heretofore
prevailed, and are to-day to some
extent prevailing. and return to the
simpler, economical and constitution
al methods of administration. This
accomplished, every feeling OF dis
trust will disappear from the Union,
and the people of all sections may
work harmoniously together, emu
Iating each other in the effort to
achieve that bright and glorious des-
tiny, which awaits US as a great
country and great people.
Let every American citizen feel
that the laws and the flag of the
country no longer cover and protect
half the Union only, but that they
cover and protect alike, from the
humblest to the greatest. all the Cit
liens, of all the States, and that they
are everywhere entitled to be, and
are profoundly respected.
This is the home and the country
of the Southern as we'll as the North
ern citizen we have no other coun-
try-no other home. If we were ac-
tuated by no higher considerations
than those OF self-interest, these in
terests all conspire TO make rs strug-
gle for and desire the peace, pros
perity and happines of the whole
country, because the peace. prosper
ity and happiness of ourselves and
our State depends upon it.
I make these public avowals be-
cause there are those who profess to
believe there is still a lurking hostil-
ity in the South to the government.
If such belief is sincere, wish to aid
in removing it. III it is the mere
pretense of the hypocrite and the
demagogue, adopted as the means of
climbing into power, or retaining
party ascendency, then wish to do
my part in diminishing his power
for evil.
There can be no prosperity in this
country while the government is ad-
ministered upon the narrow platform
of sectionalism, prejudice and hate.
When the true and patriotic men
of all sections resolve to place them
selves upon that higher and broader
plane of nationality and fraternity,
then general confidence in the Union,
it's government and its laws will be
restored, and then, we may conf
IDENTIFY hope for general and perma.
nent prosperity.
The party which seeks to perpet-
uate its power by making one half
the Union believe there is no patri.
otism, no safety to life and property,
and no regard for law in the other
half. does the grossest injustice to
the truth, and is a dangerous enemy
10 the whole country.
Such party and it's ideas block |
the way to growth, progress and |
prosperity. It may be honestly mis-
guided or it may act a selfish and |
base part the result is the same it
IS in antagonism to the best and |
lighests interests of the country.
If I can in any way contribute to
he diffusion of fraternal sentiment,
% a return to the simple, economi.
al and honest methods of admins
ration. to making odious the prac-
ice OF approaching officials with
lifts, to the total overthrow OF the
dea of governing by the sword. to
N administration that will protect
II and Cypress none, that will Sc
ure a free ballot, free, alike from
Domestic violence on the one hand,
nd military violence on the other,
hat will hunt down and punish all
eculators and trespassers upon the
ublic revenue, that will see that the
axes which the people pay are faith
lily and honestly applied to the le-
itimate purposes of government and
hereby reduce taxation, and restore
0nfidence, so thai labor may be the
etter rewarded. business revived.
lnital encouraged TO seek invest {