Year: 1868

The Democratic party having, with
out solicitation on my part, honored
me with the nomination for Congress
in this District, have not felt author
lied to decline the position; and,
therefore, announce to you my accept
ance, and ask your suffrage. in connec-
tion with your votes 'against the con-
stitution''


regret that the short time trans
piring between this and the election,
combined with the difficulties of reach
ing the various places throughout the
District, renders it impossible to meet
many fyou personally. Desiring no
mans support who does not know my
position, 1 am forced to this very un
satisfactory mode of communication.


Three years ago, came to Mlssls-
sippi to cast my lot with her people,
and to identify my interests with hers.
/ came not as an adventurer, and l
hope not as an intruder At the close
of the war. satisfied with it's result in
restoring the Union, planted myself
upon the platform of the Constitution
of our Fathers, and have, with all my
ability, opposed the efforts of those
who, for their own aggrandizement,
are seeking the destruction of your
constitutional liberties, and the sub
version of your social system.


/ am anxious to see PEACE,-the
spirit of peace as well as its form,-re-
stored to the sections lately at war
peace that shall produce harmony of
sentiment, AMI unity Of purpose. The
terms Of peace should be such as
both parties can approve, and such
as both can accept without a sense
Of humiliation. The reconstruction
acts, unjust, unconstitutional, and
oppressive, maintained here by mil
itary power, can but be regarded as
hostile acts by the people of the
Southern States; as intended to over
bear and humiliate them, and as cal
cutated to disorganize their society,
and destroy their posperity.


The policy inaugurated by Presi-
dent Johnson was different. The
South, willing to abide by the decis-
ion of the war, accepted, in good faith,
his plan of restoration, and became an
asserting and willing party to the
peace which he sought to bring about.
| 1 am opposed to the unjust and vim
dictive document submitted to you for
ratification as the Constitution Of
your State, and shall use nv utmost
exertions, both as an individual and
ton, believing it's main object to be
to exclude the whites from the posses
sion of that influence in local govern
ment to which their numbers, their
| wealth, and their mental and moral
status entitle them.


The gentlemen who have been NOM
| mated as your standard bearers, in the
coming campaign, upon the State
ticket, are men whom every Missis-
sippian should feel pride in support
ing. They are men who have the
peace and prosperity of the country at
| heart more than they have their eleva-
ton to office. Give them your unani-
nous vote The day of trial is at
hand All they ask is an honest man s
Judgment, and that you be not misled
by the trickery of demagogues.


In view of the pending calamities,
the duty of every man in Mississippi
is plain. The issue must be met, and
met boldly. We can neither tempo
rize with it nor avert it. All hope
for the future must come from pres
ent effort. Every qualified voter
should register and vote. Let the
struggle to preserve the honor and
unity of the public interest, be contin
uous and unwavering until the last poll
is closed. and the last vote is counted
out. If you do but this, you will have
saved the country and saved your
selves. Very respectfully,


CHAS. H. TOWNSEND.
May Goth, 1868.