Year: 1874




Col. JnO. F. House, of Montgomery, and
Col. 7. L. Claiborne, of Davidson, the two
Democratic candidates for the COngressiOn-
al nomination in this district, spoke last
night at the corner Of Market and Broad
streets before quite large and Intelligent
crowd. E--g $50


COL. CLAIBORNE


having taken the stand and explained that
his competitor and himself had agreed to
divide time, proceeded with his address by
announcing himself a candidate for Con-
greSs from the sixth district. He said he
was a candidate at the solicitation Of many
farmers and friends. He had received the
endorsement Of popular assemblies in
the counties Of Humphreys and Dick
son. = 1t was in compliance with
such marks of preference that he was
making the race. He was born here and
his family was well and honOrably known.
He had spent nineteen years Of his life in
the public service-6fteen years in the Uni
ted States army, up to 1861, when be had
to decide for or against his own peopleiand
he therefore became a volunteer IN the
Confederate service, where he remained
four years He hoped his own county
would not 90 back on him.


The speaker having disposed of the inn
putatiOn, which he said had been cast upon
him, that he was Grangers' candidate and
opposed ID the mechanics, presented his
views on Federal affairs. He was in favor
Of paying the bonded Indebtedness of the
United States in greenbaeks and prohibit
ing the issue of National Bank notes.


In regard to the Civil Rights bill, he
would say he considered il the most infa-
nous proposition ever originated in a
legislative body Of any age or any country.
He then contrasted the two races and their
works.


Touching our own State policy he de
declared he heartily approved the platform
of the recent State Convention, but was
sorry that it had not public school plank.
Considering the condition Of the crops
throughout the State, the people were not
able TO bear heavy taxation.


A Toice-"HOw about the funding law?'


In reply TO this question, Col. Claiborne
said the funding bill an iniquity, as it
made the people pay interest upon interest.


As to the nominee for Governor, Jas. ID.
Porter, he had the utmost confidence In his
capacity and integrity, and believed that
he would be elected. He yielded his hear
ty support, and was resolved to work for
his election everywhere he went.


COL. JOHN F. HOUSE


took the stand At the conclusion Of Col.
ClaibOrne's speech and made an address Of
about forty minutes length.


He said be was a convention man; he
was for organization. Every citizen should
be party man, not because it was party,
but because the party represented his prin-
ciples.


He did not like to make speeches before
the meeting of the convention; it tended to
array the supporters Of one candidate
against the adherents of another and pro-
duce diseord. He never had any idea of
making the canvass for the nomination
until his competitor, by delivering speeches
in Humphreys and Dickson counties,
forced him to change his mind and arrange
a list Of appointments.


He had no idea Of being candidate un-
til three or four counties Of the district eX-
pressed their preference for him, and until
urged by many private citizens. He was
no pOlitician-nO Ofice-seeker-and he was
no farmer, but claimed to represent every
interest, if he should be elected To a seat
in Congress. Although no farmer, he
knew what it was TO work on farm. He
ventured the assertion that he had plough
ed more throws, bOed more corn, killed
more tobacco worms and pulled more suck
ers than his competitor ever had. If,
when the war was over, he did not 20 upon
his farm, as his competitor had done, it was
because he had no farm to go upon.
| (Laughter.)


The speaker avowed that be had been an
| old Wing, and said he wanted to talk to
the old Wings who were present. 1t was
their duty TO enter the ranks of the party
which represented their principles-tO unite
with the Democracy which was battling
against the party that was inimical 70 con-
stitutional liberty. There never could be
peaee and prosperity in the South until the
Republican party should either be dethrOned
or learn wisdom or cease hostility to
the 100000 white people of the Southern
States. The constant policy of that party
had been 10 degrade the Rebels and set the
negro race 20 rule over them.


How different would have been the poll
cy OF Clay or Webster. AT the close OF the
war they would have said, "You are con-
qlered, You are overcome; but you are as
brave people as the sun ever smiled upon.
Come hack, Come back. We want yOu."


Abiding to the currency question, the
speaker said lie was in favor of an eXelU-
siye greenbaek currency.


He endorsed the platform Of the Demo
cratic State Convention and would have it
altered or supplemented in no particular.
1t was sound and il was honest. He con-
Cluded with beautiful tribute to Jas. ID.
Porter, the nominee Of the convention for
Governor. He had known him long and
known him we'll. He had seen him in
u 4 = l. I,l
him on the battlefield Of Chickamauga, the
deathbed the flower of TennesSee's ehiV
airy, and a more high-tOned and incOTupti-
bic patriot never made a track upon the
green earth.


AT the conclusion of Col. Houses re-
I