The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-09-02
Acard from Judge Williams.
Editor Home Journal:

In your last issue you copy a para.
graph or two from the American
1neither of which is true,) to the effect
that had descended from the bench in
order to dabble in politics, and that l
had made bitter speech against the
action of the late Convention at Nash
vile, characterizing it US little better
than mob in speech at Spencer, in
Van Buren, county.
You close the notice with this inquiry ::
"What in the world is Judge Williams
after that he should find the political
field more attractive than the judicial?"
Having asked the question we sup
pose you wish an answer. We have
been lifelong Democrat. We
thought those principles Interchangeable.
They led us to believe that the people
were the source Of all power-that the
Government was made by them and tol
them. These principles We're option.
lied in the following resolutions offered
by Judge Garner, and voted for by ev.
cry low-tax delegate in the late
Convention, and, as now remember, by
the entire delegation of Franklin coun.
ty, including yourself. They are as fol-
lows:
We are opposed to the reputation Of
the just indebtedness Of the State.
We are opposed to the Reputation OF
the rights or sovereignty of the people.
We recognize the time-honored axiom
of the Democratic party that our Gov
eminent is of the people and for the
people, and that they are sovereign and
supreme and that the Legislature arc
their servants, and therefore We are un
alterably opposed to any settlement OF
the State debt by the Legislature unit
the same has first been submitted to the
people at separate election, and ratified
by their free voices at the ballot-box.
These contain the pith and marrow
of every Democratic platform that has
been adopted in Tennessee since the
war. They embody nearly in exact
terms the principles enunciated in the
platform two years ago, ON which Gov.
Marks ran and was triumphantly elect,
ed. On that platform Col. Colyar, Gen.
Campbell, Judge Wright and others
went before the Convention as candi-
dates for nomination without q murmur
of complaint. These resolutions were
voted down by the late Convention and
in doing so repudiated the long
line of Democratic platforms and Demo-
cratic principles of the past. | chose to
stay in the camp where Democratic
principles were supposed to be enduring
and permanent. The majority Of the
Convention saw proper to discard the
old axioms and principles of the party
and to form new ones. l denied their
right to change my principles or that OF
the party, They proposed to follow new
Gods while | stuck to the old ones, and
this brought about the separation, and,
80 far as | know, with one accord the
Democracy are settling down with me.
l did speak at Spencer, but it was by
special invitation Of large concourse OF
citizens expressed by IL committee OF
their selection, but abused no one and
made no bitter speech. have also
agreed to speak at Manchester, as you
say, and have also agreed to speak AT
Lynchburg, Shelbyville, Murfreesboro,
and McMinnville, by invitations Of com
mittees of their citizens. 1t is to keep
on high the old Democratic banner and
to preserve untarnished our cherished
principles that speak. | shall take
occasion to speak to the people ofFrank-
lin county in due season, and if | do not
find them with me | shall be mistaken.
1t seems just now to be quite an Of
Tense for judicial officer to express his
views even when asked to do 50 but
last year every Judge in the State, SO
far as know, including the writer of
this, was asked to take the stump ON
this same State debt question. 1t was
thought to be no otlense then, but diff
ferent OK is likely to be gorcd and that
makes the difference. The Judge is at
ter nothing but to establish Democracy
on firm basis. Whether you agree or
disagree with me, | recognize your lib
crafty in giving both sides the benefit Of
your columns. Yours truly,
j. }. WILLIAMS.