Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-08-26
General Wright's Speech.


The following speech was made
by Gen. John V. Wright on ac-
cepting the nomination for Gov
ernor by the Democratic Con-
vention at Nashville:
Gentlemen of the Convention and Fell
lowCitizens appear before you for the
purpose of correcting mistake find i'll
the papers this morning, which states that
| would not accept the nomination of this
body if rendered me. / come to accept the
nomination, unanimously rendered me by
this great Convention, and 10 express my
hearty APPRECIATION Of the noble resolutions
you have adopted. They are truly demo-
cratic in every sense, and can lay my hand
on my heart and say truly that / never
accepted a trust from the hands of my par
ty with more pleasure and with stronger
faith in success than do this one.
On account of some dissatisfaction with
a portion OF your action here, some have
Withdrawn and predicted the death of the
Democratic party. During my life the same
prediction has been made more than once.
Standing here in the presence of this large
assemblage of Democrats from every por-
ton Of this State, and Witnessing the cour-
age and enthusiasm displayed ON all sides,
it would be difficult 10 pronounce this
corpse. The Democratic party carried this
country safely through war and peace from
colonies TO Union of great and prosperous
Stafes. IL administered the Government
with economy and wisdom, and under it the
people were prosperous and happy Even
amid the fire and prosecutions Of cruel civil
| Sfsf 1;,.xsklt III al
weakened and powerless, it still lived as
separate political organization. It's trusted
leaders, in the great North, called its bro
ken columns together, and district after dis
tict, and State after State, fell into line
until it got control of The two HOUSES Of
Congress, and in 1876 succeeded in electing
a noble son of New York TO the Presidency,
who would be there to-day but for the most
gigantic fraud that ever startled The Amer
ican people. he people submitted TO this
with degree of patience and fOrbearance
almost unknown in history. Four years
have again rolled around, and it is safe 90
declare hat Winfield Scott Hancock and
VIM. H. English are the President and Vice
President of our country, in the hearts and
minds of she people. The great struggle is
going on, and the eyes of the people Of the
y
solid South, it is said. 1t is so, and thank
God for that solid South. Solid for the Con-
stituiion, solid for honest government, solid
against frauds and monopoiies, solid for the
great leader OF the Union army, Winfield
Scott Hancock, and last but not least, solid
for strict maintenance of the public faith,
State and National. tEj- eiAf
!. sWith those great Democratic principles
inscribed on your banner, take il, and
will convey it TO the mountains and green
valleys OF the mighty Ea ST, the home of my
venerable friend who has just addressed
you (Col. Byrd, and present it TO the pure
and patriotic Democracy there. Twill brig
il across the mountains 10 the plains and
valleys of Middle Tennessee, and bear it to
| the West, the home of my honored friend
Gen. Campbell, who was the companion of
my boyl God, the friend OF my manhood, and
: who has my friendship and affection like
that OF a brother. My friend asked me the
other day if did not'want TO vote for him.
; told him that, TO speak The plain truth, /
did not, but as TO which of us should be
nominated / was the worst hung jury he
ever saw. .-f,.te~ rt .-s..i .i
With these principles l feel that can 60
forward and look honest men in the face
and ask for their support. FW
For ears the unhappy spectacle has been
presented of Democrats quarrelling among
themselves about our State obligations,
whilst our opponents have been chuckling
: over our divisions, and seeking 10 profit by
our dissensions. But we are NO longer di-
yided, we are to-day united, and I'VE all
stand together, doing battle under the same
: flag. Some, it is true, have gone away
from us and to them say, erring brother,
, depart in peace. When, in November next,
You hear the shouts Of victories without,
and behold the country returned 10 its an
Gent principles, how your hearts will long
TO come again ~ the old ship. After long
and lonesome searches for some place of
= hest, you shall find your limbs torn with
rriars, and your new allies faithless and
. helpless, you shall cast longing glances at
, the columns moving 10 tho music of the old
lines. bugle, fife and drum, you viii come
: back again. m f-f rrs--t.,,i.,
when Y on get weary, and your feet be-
i come sore,
, Remember the pathway that leads 10 our
door," g,,a
We have at length presented The issue 10
the people, The sovereign rulers of the land,
and by them il will be settled and put for
G ever at rest, and that, too, without oppres-
sion or burdensome taxation upon any one.
have read somewhere of tabled island
l liz the sea, on which the surrounding tribes
/ from adjacent islands meet year after year
toengage in deadly strife for the possession.
At length, when the usual season for blood
: shed arrived, an old man, with long, white
: curls, and trembling limbs, calls upon his
tribe TO kneel and pray TO Neptu. that he
would strike the unhappy isle with his tri-
e dent and remove forever the cause of strife
and contention from the earth. Let us
; trust. gentlemen, and pray the Democracy
l of Tennessee may, in the coming election,
: with their trident, the ballot box, remove
! from our midst this vexatious question Of
4 the State debt, and bring peace and victory
G TO our party.
Gentlemen, thanking you in my heart with
), feelings that no words of mine can express
for the high honor you have conferred upon
4 me, and with the promise on my part to
:. leave no stone unturned TO render myself
wortle Of your confidence, am prepared
n 10 90 forth in defence Of your principles. |
shall 20 forth and appeal alone to the judy
ment and conscience and honor of the pep
Pile l shall abnse none, but try and per-
: suade all. But if our platform is 10 be as
y sailed. or personal attacks INDUCED in, /
: will show the assaiIant that there are blows
TO be given as well rs blows 10 be received.