Year: 1868

Editors 1vlaanche:


GENTS: An influence is at work in
this State, as l have discovered since
my recent departure from Memphis, to
preclude any participation by the late
Confederate soldiers in the coming con.
7cntion Of the Democracy Of Tennessee
to be held at Nashville on the 9th Of
June, and in the National Democratic
Convention, to be held at New York
on the 4th of July.


1t does not amount to purpose to
arbitrarily do this thing ; but is felt in
efforts TO induce in every one who took
amy part in the recent struggle Of the
Contederacy for independence to de-
cline attending at these assemblies
upon pretended grounds of expediency,
and to submit the representation OF
Tennessee at New York to men who
were known to be for the Union.
Upon consultation with many of my
late associates in the war, l have con-
cluded to advise agains; any further 30.
litlcal emasculation Of ourselves in tho
party movements Of the State.


We are already sufficiently proscrib-
ed in the constitution and statues which
now govern the State, against our con.
sent, the prescription of which have.
through the mendacious hostility Of our
legislative enemies, been added to time
and again, until now we barely live un.
der the accumulated weight Of dlsfran.
chisement and oppression. Shall we
supcrad, by our own action, to those
prescriptions and. exorcsms Of ourselves
from all participation in the assemblies
OF the State and National Democracy,
and publish to the world q confession
that we are too unworthy to intrude
ourselves into the counsels ofthe party 2
The National Democratic party, through
its committee, have invited us to take
part in the convention which is to as
semblc in New Y ork on the 4,h Of July.
1t proscribes no test oaths, no qualifica.
tioEs dependent upon the part we have
taken in the late war. but, Ike true
constitutional party, it opens its doors
and invites all who may choose to come
without reference to the past. TO sug.
gcst then an answer to, so catholic an
invitation, that we who are the true
representatives ofthc greater portion of
the constitutional men Of the State feel
ourselves unworthy 10 soil the delibera-
tons OF that Convention with our pres.
ence, would exhibit us in attitude Of
servile degradation, that I trust we have
not reached rs yet. In this view OF the
case, then, it IS my advice (givcn from
a sense o. duty, aud against reluctance
which is adverse to any personal display
OF myself in q matter Of this kind) 10 all
my comrades to participate in the coun-
ty meetings, and to send up full delega-
tons to Nashville, on the 9th of June,
composed Of good and true men, without
reference 10 the divisions which were
made by tho war.


The only hope ofa restoration OF a
good government in this coutry is in the
success of the National, Democracy in
the next Presidential campaign. I trust
my late comrades will not, from expe-
diency or other motives, absent them.
selves from a participation IN the politi.
cal exercises which are to result in the
choice OF standard bearers, made with
view to 30 patriotic and desirable an
end. So far as I am personally con.
cerned, [ have no desire to take any part
in politics, nor to occupy any political
position whatever; but do not wish to
see my State represented by men whose
only claim to public favor is the dexter.
ity with which they took either side Of
the question in the late war, as interest
dictated, and who bank upon it as their
only capital for popular support.


n. B. FORREST,