The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-06
Nominated for the Confederate Con-
gross by His Own Regiment.
Six limos Elected q Member OF the
National Congress.
His Splendid Services on the APP
propriations Committee.
Extraordinary Distinctions He Has
Achieved--Hard Work for His Party
on the Stump-What He Has
Done for tho Nation.

bullcu pNiltb Scllhlc, COMMENCING WI WIZ
4th day OF March, 1889, was born in Henry
county, in this State, in 1925. His father
was wcll-to-do farmer, who, having but
limited education, was liberal in aliording
his son educational advantages. Young
Atkins lived with his father on the farm,
where he acquired practical knowledge
and taste for that pursuit, which seems 10
have, TO some extent, shaped his destiny,
rs he has never followed any other bust
ness. lie was in 1910, when a very young
man, elected by the Democracy to the
lower house Of the Tennessee Legislature,
where he measured swords with such men
as Hon. w. u. Bate, now senator, George
Cant, one OF the foremost lawyers Of the
south, J. l.. Il. Ray, wise and just judge
who fell victim 10 the terrible scourge in
1873 in Memphis, George Nancy, an able
aud well known politician, and others Of
about the same age. Atkins Democratic
constituency returned him in 1851 TO tho
Tennessee House OF Representatives. II was
during that session that the system OF In
tcrnnl improvements was Inaugurated,
which enabled Tennessee 10 align herself
with the great commercial arteries oil her
sister states around her and throughout
the Union. Hon. Russell Houston was
chairman of the committee OF nine, OF
which Atkins constituted tho youngest
member.
In 1855 Atkins was the Democratic
nominee for the state Senate, and made u
very successful campaign In opposition 10
the American party, carrying the district
by an increased majority over a highly
respectable and honorable gentleman, Col.
Joshua Gardner, OF Wcaklcy county. The
following year he presided rs president OF
the Democratic State convention which
appointed the delegates that assisted in
nominating at Cincinnati, buchanan and
llUckinridgci he WIS also nominated by
the District convention nj Trenton on that
electoral ticket for the Ninth congressional
district. Ills canvass with the Hon. Isaac
II. Hawkins, who was the candidate for
clccior ON tho Fillmore and Donolson
ticket was marked with such spirit and
energy, that without opposition, lac was
next year, 1857, nominated by the Demo
Gratis for Congress In the Ninth district,
aud after heated and active canvass, was
elected over the Hon. Emerson Etheridgo
by small majority, reversing, however, u
Wing or American majority OF several
hundred.
The contest for Congress, the following
campaign Ia 1850, fell between the same
contestants. which for carncstncss and ac-
tiyity has never been cqualcd In the State,
rcyuting In the election Of Mr.. hhcridgc
by majority oi eight votes out OF poll ol
nearly 10000. Much dissatisfaction prc.
vailed aud charges Of uniairnoss were made
ON both sides, and Atkins was urged u
contest Mr.. Elheridgc's scat, but he rcso
luiely declined 10 do 40.
The campaign for President opened In
1850 aud found Atkins again on the clec
toral ticket. this time for Breckenridge and
Lane, having been previously n delegate
for the State NJ largc 10 the Charleston and
Baltimore conventions, where lac In q
speech Of much patriotic fcryor advocated
the Tennessee platform Of compromise, bu
which with all other Oycrtncs for harmo
ny being rejected he then acted with III,
almost entire delegation from Tennessee,
and the other southern States, which nom
mated Brcckinridgc aud Lane.
Mr. Lincoln being elected. and the
question ui secession being presented io
consideration In Tennessee. Atkins adyo
Gated publicly the adjustment Of our ma
iional troubles by the adoption Of IN,
Criuondcn compromise. That failing, an,
all other compromises being refused, tn
State OF Tennessee resolved upon sopara
ton, and he followed her fortunes, an,
assisted In raising a regiment, WIS choscf
lieutenant colonel, served lorsevcn months
but before them WIS any active cam
paigning, his name was, by the voice o
his own regiment, presented and urges
for representative In the Confederate Con
guSs, aud he was elected by an over
whclming majority oyer the Hon. NJ. II
llill. lie was again ~kico chosen 10 tn
same body, without opposition. Aiior TN
conclusion Of the war he returned 10 hi
farm, Of course shattered In his flnancia
Affairs lilo addressed himself diligcntl,
10 his farm ior few Year,, when IN 1872
having had his political disabilities ~
moved, he became q candidate for Con
grcs~ against tho Hon. Dorsey Thomas
who, nj that time, was q popular leader o
tho Conservative Union party. Mr.. Al
kins engaged actively In the canvass
made q list Of appointments over twolv
counties, organizcd primary election II
each county and won the nomination by
very large majority, the party pollinI
nearly il usual strength. lilo was clectc,
the following November 10 represent tn
Eighth congressional district, over Vim. y
Travis, independent Democrat, and W. W
Murray, Republican, by heavy majoritics
| Mr.. Atkins was successfully elected q
the Fofty.iourth, forty.fifth, forty.slNtl
aud Forly.soyenlh Congresses, being nom
mated each time without opposition. III
voluntarily declined 20 he a candidate 70
the forty.clghth Congress, having pteyl
oualy announced that he would retire Iron
the house Of Representatives at the clos
Of tho Forty seventh Congress. Although
he was urgcd by his constituents 10 an
nounco himself, lac declined 10 do 20, pro
icrring 60 observe his pledge although
given without any consideration Of service
or support irom others.
Mr.. Atkins service In the House Of Rep
rcsontatiycs was chiefly ON the committc,
OF appropriations This honor came 10 hin
without his knowledge or solicitation. l
WIS said by tbs ,hcn distinguished speaker
Mr.. Kerr, that he placed Atkins on th
gmat committee 20 help Holman holt
back" Mr.. Atkins served ON tho NJ
preparations committee for eight years
Tour years OF which time he was lis chair
man. This, too, was bofoyc the commite'
was divided, hence the labor was almos
double. How he discharged his duties
delicate, lalorious In the cxirome an,
highly responsible, can bo best known b,
the voluntary attcstations' OF both Demo
Gratis and Republicans and by Thu