Published letters by Thomas S. Gathright; March 1865

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Published letters by Thomas S. Gathright; March 1865

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People

Ferris, H. C.Gathright, Thomas S.

Events

Political elections

Organizations

Confederate States of America. Congress Mississippi. Legislature Mississippi. Legislature. Senate Newspapers Newspapers--Macon (Miss.) Beacon Summerville Institute (Gholson, Miss.)

Places

Gholson (Miss.)Macon (Miss.)Noxubee County (Miss.)Shuqualak (Miss.)Winston County (Miss.)

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Impoverished people Orphans

Published letters by Thomas S. Gathright; March 1865

TO THE VOTERS
Of the Senatorial District composed of the Counties of Noxubee and Winston.

From the Macon Beacon.]

THOS. S. GATHRIGHT.

Much has been said of this gentleman in connection with the office of Repre-sentative of this district in our next Con-gress, and his friends would be delighted to see him in the field. He has declined on the ground, that, in taking this step, he must neglect duties of a most weighty character, and sacrifice the usefulness of the Institution of which he is the head.

Mr. Gathright, we hope, will not find like objections to becoming a candidate for a seat in the State Senate, where, it is our opinion, his abilities may be of the most signal benefit to us. We know of no man who is more likely than he to bring to a state of some consistence a plan for the education of the numerous indigent and fatherless children of our State—a subject that has filled us all with anxiety, and one which demands legislation.

The practice of alternating between Winston and Noxubee, which was intro-duced in the days of demagogues to sub-serve party purposes, need scarcely be mentioned. Winston will readily recog-nize advantages in the election of Mr. Gathright which will outweigh any ling-ering desire she may have to follow a custom that has often called on the people to abandon their interests and the best man, for the sake of consistency—a political phrase generally inconsistent with common sense.

In consideration of these facts, we say to Mr. Gathright, come forth and allow us to elect you to the State Senate. We need your services, and the State needs them.

SHUQUALAK.

OFFICE OF SUMMERVILLE INSTITUTE,
Gholson, Miss., March 19, 1865.

Mr. H. C. Ferris:

DEAR SIR:—In your paper of the 15th inst., there is a call from "Shuqua-lak" upon me to stand for the position of State Senator from the district composed of the counties Noxubee and Winston. Gentlemen from both counties have as-sured me that the desire for me to run is

general, and that there will probably be no opposition; but if there is, that the people wish me to run and will elect me. I had declined a candidacy for Congress tendered me by numerous gentlemen in the district, in a manner extremely grate-ful to me; and answered them that my professional duties must not be neglected. I can continue my business and serve the people in the Senate. Please an-nounce my name as a candidate.

Before closing this note, I desire to make my acknowledgments to the peo-ple of Shuqualak for the handsome call they publicly made upon me, and for the complimentary terms in which it is ex-pressed. Shuqualak has always been kind to me, and I thank her people for it. To those gentlemen who have men-tioned my name in connection with Con-gressional honors, I am very grateful, and beg them to believe it.

Your ob't serv't,

THOS. S. GATHRIGHT.

FELLOW-CITIZENS:—It will be seen from the above correspondence that I am a candidate for the position of State Sen-ator for the district composed of the counties of Noxubee and Winston. When first approached on the subject, I at once replied that according to usage Winston county was entitled to the Senator, and that I could not run. Numerous gentle-men came to me and assured me that the practice of alternating between the two counties was adopted in the past to se-cure the harmony and success of party; that the district as such never recognized any such a thing, and claims, as does a Congressional district, the right to call for the services of any citizen, no matter in what county he may reside. I en-dorse the doctrine, and am a candidate to represent both counties alike.

When the proper time comes, I shall address my fellow-citizens fully on all subjects of moment, and shall not hesi-tate to declare unreservedly my senti-ments concerning the public situation.

THOS. S. GATHRIGHT.

Summerville Institute,
March 30, 1865.