Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-04-22
A CARD.
To the Republicans of the First Congress
sionaI District.

To the Republicans of the First Congress
sionaI District.
Two wears ago the unfortunate division
in the Republican party in this district
presented itself in such shape that every
man in the party worthy of its support,
was forced to take sides.
1t so happened that a large majority of
the party in a primary election vindicated
the position taken by me and my friends,
and when the action of the primary was
endorsed at the ballot box in November,
1884, l supposed the leaders of a faction
who bolted conventions and primary, and
| voted the Democratic ticket, would at
least fall into line and acquiesee in the
future viii of a m5iority of the party.
Ihen l decideda year ago to Become a
| candidate for Congress, it was with a dis
tinct understanding that my friends, rep
resenting a large majority of the Repub-
lican party, in order to insure harmony
| and success, would concede to the minor
ity two of the four prominent positions
Congress, Chancellor, Judge and Attor-
ney GeneraD in the elections of this year.
Every act, on the part of my friends and
| myself, has been in the interest of harmO-
ny and success, and many of my warmest
| friends are from the ranks of the minori-
ty.
Instead of trying to draw the lines and
reopen the fractional fight, l have dis
couraged it at all times and in every place.
Certain gentlemen have seen proper to
| re p his question, and have advised
and continue to advise the Taylor men"
to organize against me and my friends in
every county in the district. The princi
Piles of the Republican party are to be
sacrificed by an appeal to passion and
prejudice. No effort has been made to
organize the majority against the minori
ty or any of its candidates by Inc or any
of my friends. We have made every con-
cession that honorable men can make.
Some of our best men have been kept
from announcing themselves for Once,
interest by Withdrawing their names
from the list of candidates.
| have entered into no combination
with any candidate in the field, but have
influenced my friends TO yield the race
for Circuit Judge, and Attorney General
to gentlemen heretofore known as "Tay-
lor men,; and, Notwithstanding these
concessions, and these efforts to secure
harmony and success, we are confronted
with a demand from the leaders of the
faction who voted the Democratic ticket
two years ago, to cOncede the member Of
Congress and the Senator and Floater in
the first district, leaving the eight thOus-
and Republicans who sustained me and
my friends, in the issue these gentlemen
nave re-opencd, without a candidate for
any office, except Mr.. Milburn, who is a
candidate for congress-.
/ have no doubt of the willingness or
ability of the Republicans in this district
who favor my candidacy for congress to
give me the nomination May 6, nor
have l any doubt that Washington coun-
ty would give me a solid delegation, but
1 nave too much regard for the principles
and history of the Republican party. and
am too anxious to see it return to power
in 1888, to permit myself or friends to be
Helu TeSpOuolDle lOT Tie uclcdI lndl
awaits the parties who are to secure a
nomination by reviving the bitterness
of the past.
With the deepest gratitude to my
| friends in every county for their interest
| in my behalf, and in the hope that the
sacrifices that have been made in the
interest of harmony may yet be reward
ed, l shall place the responsibility of a
campaign on the Taylor men," who
have renewed the war without cause or
provocation.
therefore withdraw as a candidate for
congress, pledging my support now and
in the future to any Republican Of either
faction who supported Major Pe:tibone
two years ago, after his nomination in
the primary.
Your obedient servant,
W.P. BRowNLow.