The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-26
HON. JAS.PHELAN ACCEPTS
HIS LETTER TO THE DEMOCRATIC
J., CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.
The Young Representative States His
Position on the Leading Questions
Clearly-what He Has to Say Of Criti-
cism Of His Record.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE, y; s., !

WASHINGTON, Sept %, 1855. J
Mcssrs. Thomas Williamson. John W. Bailey J.
ID. Castleberry, J. NJ. Young and Emmett L.
Woodson, Committee, Memphis, Tenn:
Gentlemen-I am in receipt Of your COM
munication, notifying me of my nomination
by reclamation by the Democratic Congress
sional conyentio n. Allow me- through you,
to return my sincere thanks for this re-
newed expression Of trust and confidence
from my fellow Democrats. l have striven
to meet the approval and to advance the
interests OF the people who have honored
me by their suffrages have cast no vote;
have taken no step except in the light OF
a conscientious and painstcking desire to
accomplish this result and to uphold the
dignity Of the office TO which they elected
me. The most important vote | have cast
has been my vote for the Mills bill. That
vote believe has met with the hearty APP
proval OF the Democrats Of the district. l
voted for that bill because believed II to
have been framed in the interests of the
great body of the people-in the interests OF
the farmers and the mechanics of this coun-
try, upon whose mutual and reciprocal well
fare depends the prosperity of us all. l
voted for il because believe 1t will result in
amore general diffusion of wealth. / believe
:, Il will decrease the profits OF the few and in
crease the wages of the many. l believe IL
will open up larger market for our manu-
featured products, thus increasing the de-
mand for the productions Of labor, and as
natural result increasing the home market
for the farmer whilst extending the foreign
market of the manufacturer. largely
increased demand for our manufactured
products would enable the manufacturer 10
sell his output or total production at a rela.
lively cheaper price, both at home and
abroad, without depressing the wages OF his
laborers Goods from New York TO Rio
Janeiro are compelled to go to England and
then TO Brazil. Our eXorbitant rates Of duty
render IL impossible for vessels 10 engage In
trade between the two countries, because IL
matters not what might be taken there,
nothing can be brought back probably.
Such change OF duty as would enable the
Brazilian TO bring his products here and take
ours back would give the manufactures the
benefit OF small profits and large sales,
state Of trade which is always preferred by
merchants and shrewd dealers 10 that which
gives large profits and small sales.
The Mills bill Is q measure whose opera
tons in my judgment would give greater
volume Of employment 10 more men at better
rates than the present unjust ANA unfair sys-
tenn, at once unrcpublcan and undemo-
cratic, which now prevails.
MY vote for that hill believe | can defend.
and successfully defend, against all attacks.
By that vote am not only willing TO stand
or fall, but by that vote desire To stand or
fall. II tho people Of our district favor that
system Of economies now embodied In the
present tariff then feel that | have no
place in public life, and some one should be
cent 10 Congress whose views diiier widely
and radically from my own. But this, you
are we'll aware | 10 not believe. | have no
legrs uf the result IL Is a struggle between
two opposing systems, one OF which u right
)nc OF which is wrong. ] hope TO
have time 10 lay our case before
The people calmly and dispassionately
hat they may Judge between the two.
Union, harmony aud an absence Of fractional
- ascension will give rs q decisive victory.
For the last twelve OF fourteen years the
Republicans have been carrying our district
IA Presidential years. j am especially
nlcnsed TO be upon your ticket this year, Tor
believe the struggle will not only result in
,swecping victory for ", but It will break
,or the last time and forever In our district
The strength OF that party which in the
norih builds upon the hatred Of brother for
brother, OF one section for another and
which In the south builds upon the preiu.
ices aud passions Of one race when nrraycd
,gainst tho other
In closing, allow me TO say that had In.
Tended To say something Oh lnt fhlluoiu hlu
rather irrelevant criticisms passed upon my
record. No member Of Congress can serve
nearly 10000 people and meet Ia all minor
"details the approval Of each individual suf'
frann. | can only ask fair and char
liable discussion Of my actions. Congress i
A large aud tumultuous body, with all
the vices and all the virtues Of such body.
II Is governed by laws written and unwrit
len, simple aud complex. II Is driven by
gusts Of passion sometimes, and nj times II Is
guided by dispaSsionate reason. Its duties
are manifold, innumcnble, uncnding and
wide.rcaching embracing the small and
the great A new member, young or old,
labors under a great disadvantage. To bs
new member IL a congressional crime
There Is no profession, no calling In life
where experience aud long service tell 10 do
risiyely. Being a new member In such
body, | have patiently striytn 10 push Tor
ward such practical legislation n would en-
nure 10 the benefit Of my constituents.
thank the Democratic party therefore tina
IL has not Judged me too harshly, but hu
considered my condition and has refused L
thrust me aside for any new man, who, iron
the very nature Of things, must go through
the same ordeal through which j haN'
passed, even though ho possess the most dis
unguished ability and the greatest splendoi
ofintellcct. Again thanking the Dcmocmt
Marty for Us unanimous rcnominauoni
have the honor 10 be, very truly yours,