Year: 1859

trary 1 believe it to be my duty, as we'll
as my privilege, in view Of the fact
that a majority Of the delegates sent by
the townships of this county to the late
County Democratic Convention, were in
favor of nominating me for Sheriff up to
the moment they came under the adYers
and poisonous influence Of the "Court
House Clique" to permit their untram-
melcd wishes to prevail, and there
fore / am an independent candidate be-
fore the voters of Highland, uninnuen-
ced by and free FROM the control or pow
er, / trust, Of all party organizations,
political managers and central cliques
am well aware that by taking this
position [ incur not only the disoppoyal,
but the bitter and uucomprising opposi-
ton, Of the political leaders in Hills
borough, who have so long ruled and
fattonod on the public purse, by reason
Of their united efforts, uutiriug man
Iagement and adroit intrigues. They
claim that the people are but machines
in their hands, and deny to mere citi-
zens all rights other than the one Of
voting regularly for certain favorites
who have been agreed upon by the Clique
in midnight caucus, in one Of the
Ipublic Offices in the Court House, months
before the assembling of the Convention,
called by them ostensibly to nominate,
but really to ratify and publish their po-
tent will. Feeling the full force and
truth Of this, hesitate not, fellow -citi-
zens, to appeal from the mandate Of a
corrupt caucus to you. l well know
that an humble citizen like myself, who
dares, in vindieation Of his own rights,
to step over party lines, and thus set at
defiance party drill and discipline, to
stand upon his own merits, in opposition
to the resolves of party leaders, will be
hunted like a mad dog all over the cOuu.
! ty; but do not fear them.


am a native Of Highland county


and most of you know me personally
land politically, and whatever merits /


may have l choerfully submit to your
consideration in connection with the
office Of Sheriff, Many of you 1 know


will say that the regular nominee Of the
| Democratic party, as he is termed, be-
ling theincumbeut, and only half through


his constitutional term, should, in con-


formlty to the usages of the county, be
continued two years longer. This


know has long been the custom, but yet


it is not imperative by any means in its


obligation. Those who made the Con.


stitution, fixed the term at two years
land limited the ability to serve to four


if they had intended that Sherifs should


serve four years absolutely, they Ger.
tainly would have so said At any rate


the good old way of our fathers is quite


a safe one. Let all who wish offer foI


this or any other Office in the County


Township or State, then those who arc


interested in having good officers, and


who pay tax to support them, can make


their own choice Then, and not till


then, will the people be free from the


disgraceful tyranny Of petty cliques, and


may justly apply to themselves the
proud title Of freemen.


In reference to my political views, il


may perhaps be we'll to say, in this con


nection, that I have always been a Dem


ocrat. 1t is true that five years ago I


in common with large number of Other
| Democratics of this county, feeling the
Importance of radical reforms in the


public affairs Of the State Joined the


new party called American, which claim
ed to be organized for that purpose


This fact may in itself probably be Q


complete elucidation of the pcrscrveriug
hostility Of the Clique tits pretty wei


known that they swore more than fou
years ago, that no American should hole


Office in the Democratic party until ht


had atoned for his crime by twenty-ont
years patient probation.


l expect in taking this Independent


step, to be stigmatized as a traitor t


Democratic principles, and a disorgan
izer Of the party, Let it be so. lie


the Clique send their thunders and thei


emissaries to all the OZARK corners" of
old Highland. 1 shall be ready for them


l understand true Democracy to b.


government by the people-submissior
of the minority to the will of the ma
Ijority-nota few ruling the many; ant


when Democracy becomes thus pervert


ed from its legitimate purpose, I hole
it to be the duty Of every Democrat Il
free himself from such humiiating ant
| ruinous subiugation, and promptly an,


boldly assert his rights as a free man


Such a step has nothing to fear from
the attacks Of all the demagoguos an,


treasury eaters in America, when dull,


appreciated by the honest and patriot
IVOters Of the cOuDtrV


The HiHsJorougd gazette, Of the 1Od


inst gives It's opinion of my iudepen
dent step, and am perfectly wiiln,
e it should discuss my claims Just as lon,
p and as foarlossly as it chooses. L lik
that sort of thing. Let every candi
t dates merits be fully and thoroughl
scrutinizod and weighed, and thus tn
l public, it is hoped, will to some exteu


be protected from political swiudlers.-
Tits, however both the interest and th
6 policy Of the Gazcte to labor for it
j own benefit 1t now does all the Sher
2 iG S printing, with the certainty of it
. being continued should he be re elected
IL is also printer for tho Clique, and OF
p course should do nothing to weaken it
p power in the county feel however


highly hattered by the repeated assur
ances Of the editors personal friend
b ship for myself and hope 1 may lonl
J, continue so deserving. But / must be-
IS leave to differ from the Gazette, when
G so confidently ofirms that I have nc