Year: 1872


First Congressional DIstric. of Kentucky:


Some time since 1 determined, in the
event that Congress should pass an am
nestv bill, to become a candidate to rep
resent the First District of Kentucky in
the Congress of the United States.


During the late war | sided with my
section and my State. For this |, with
thousands of other Southern men, was
put under political ban. Though often
requested to do so, l have persistently
refused TO confess and ask pardon for
sins which | never committed. Conse
ouently if had any ambition for polit-
zeal preferment | was debarred from
seeking to crafty it.


Now, by the grnce of a radical Con-
gress, my political sins (O have been
condoned, aud | am once more a free
man. and in accordance with the deter
mination expressed above, l herewith
announce myself candidate for Con
gress at the election to be held in No
vember next.


For more than four years past | have
been connected with the editorial depart
ment of the Kntuckian. During that
time it has been my habit, whenever
questions arose affecting the interests of
the country or the democratic party, to
investigate them for myself and to take
position, without waiting to ascertain
what might be the opinions of others
and if iu some instances | have been IN
advance of public sentiment, sooner or
later my views have been endorsed
In regard to the present anomalous
condition of national politics, have no
hesitation in expressing my firm and
candid convictions of the duty Of the
democratic party; and that may not
be misunderstood, [ will briefly epito
mize them:


First, l do not believe-much as
desire it-that the democratic party can
elect straight democratic ticket; and
think it would be worse than madness
it would be a erime-to make nomina-
tions at Baltimore.


Second, | couscientiously believe that
the perpetuation of republican liberty
oD this continent depends on the defeat
of General Grant in November next


Third, can see no way to defeat
Grant except to vote for Horace Greeley.


10 thus declaring myself for the nom



so in the firm belief that the wisdom and
patriotism of the democratic party, which
is to assemble at Baltimore, will decide
that Greeley and Grant are to be the only
candidates before the country. II few
leaders of the democratic party are aux
ious to re elect Grant and should force
nomination at Baltimore, Mr. Greeley Is
pledged TO withdraw from n race in which
be has no chance for success, and |. of
course would 90 to certain defeat with
my party.


As a Southern man, | sympathize too
deeply with the down troddeu and tax
oppressed people of the South to allow
any quixotic feelings or preiudices to
make me willing party to any action
which would deprive them forever-as l
believe the re election Of Grant would
of any hopes of relief. We of Kentucky
might stand Grant another term, but four
years more Of military and carpet bag
rule 10 South Carolina. Mississippi, Lou
isiana and other Southern States would
Law waste those States and plunge the
white inhabitants thereof into q condi
ton of utter despair.


As to my fitness to make good and
T
that must be determined by the sovereign
people, | certainly think l am capable
of filing the Office or | would not ask
for it, At the earliest practical moment
| will visit the several counties of the
District and be prepared to give my
views on all questions Of public interest


Like Mr. Greeley, believe in the one
term principle, and-I apply it to Con
gressional equally with Presidential can
didates. do not feel that any mau has
such precedence over others as to entitle
him to a life seat in Congress. Can
didates for a second generally want an
Endorsement of their first term; but the
same rule could be applied indefinitely
and candidate could ask for aa endorse
ment of his fifth term with as much cou
sistency as be could claim second term
as an endorsement of his first.


With this issue of the Eentackian my
connection with it as an editor ceases.
To the friends throughout he District
who, in my editorial career, have given
me words of cheer and encouragement,
l return my siucerest thanks, assuring
them that in the future, as in the past,
my greatest efforts will be directed to
promote the best interests OF my coun>
try, my State and my party.


With many apologies for the length Of
what has necessarily been an exclusively
personal card, | am,


Very respectfully,


JoHN MARTIN.


PADUcAH. Ky, May 28th, 1872.