Br. Bk. of Tenn at Sparta

June 27, 1855

My Beloved Mary

I was very much gratified to get your letter last night, informing me of your continued improvement. I was very uneasy about you, lest your walking to meeting on sunday evening might injure you. I desire very much that you may continue to improve. You know that I am very anxious for you to return. All the people seem to be desirous for you to get home. They are constantly inquiring about your health - - when you expect to come home, etc.

I am doing about as usual when you are gone. I gave out my clothes this morning to have them washed. I must brush up for the Masonic dedication, next saturday. There is a succession of exciting public meetings and public speakings to come off here. Masonic dedication next saturday. Candidates for representative, Monday. Celebration of the 4th of July, Temperance lecture by P.S. White, lecturer for the State, on 9, July. 

The political excitement is no greater than it was previous to the debate. I expect it (the excitement) has moved to the country. The know nothings seem very cool. I do not think that the result suited them. From what I can hear Johnson made a considerable gain. A great many of his (Gentry's) own party have taken a stand against him. Many of the know nothings look like they were ashamed and I think many will withdraw. The candidates are both fine speakers. I think they are both eloquent. I was deceived in Johnson in that respect. I had heard that he was rather dry. But he had a powerful effect upon the crowd. I saw and heard of old persons that shed tears like children. His manner is rather grave - - he did not tell a single anecdote - - but he almost forces conviction. Gentry is more facetious - - his speech abounded in spicy anecdotes - - calculated to attract and please the people. His speech was made up in showing the dangerous tenets of the Roman Catholic religion and the corruption of the ballot box, occasioned by naturalized foreigners. He hoisted a considerable Scare-crow; but when examined it proved to be all "fox-fire and moonshine". Gov. Johnson showed very plain it seems to me, that the know nothing party would not affect any reformation. That the platform was composed of resolutions, which both the whig and Democratic parties had always been in favor of, with the exception of the one relative to foreigners and Roman Catholics holding office, and they do not want the constitution altered, hence its object is simply to vote against roman catholics, and foreigners as every one, almost, has been inclined to do always. If the number of years previous to naturalization be extended however far it will not remedy the evil of which they complain. There is a difference between naturalization and the elective franchise, or right to vote. Congress has power to make laws regulating the former and the legislature of each state the latter. Ohio, for instance, lets foreigners vote before they are naturalized. Then altering the naturalization laws would not protect the ballot box from foreign influence. Then the only good any one can expect to do by joining or voting with the K.N.'s is to put into power a parcel of hungry office seekers who had despaired ever succeeding again with their old principles.

The above was written at Bank. As I came on home I stopped at Add Young's store with Dr. Renshaw and some others and, of course, K. Nothingism was introduced. Directly Jo. Snodgrass, Lossan Carrick Colmes and Mr. Young, and all that passed the street was attracted by the controversy, and I have just got home after a quarrell of three hours. They are not as much down in the mouth as I thought they were, or at least they put on a pretty bold front this evening. I feel very much disgusted at the course pursued by the party here. I never saw as much corruption manifested, in all my life to-gether, as has been developed by the agitation of this question. I can scarcely believe any thing I hear. One thing I still believe is that there is such a thing as truth and right, and give them their weapons, liberty of speech and open discussion and they will, eventually, triumph. I may be wrong on this subject, but I feel prouder today of belonging to a party that, in the main, takes a stand against this order, than I ever did. It shows what kind of stuff the party is made of that it will stand up and battle for what it considers to be right notwithstanding the strong popular prejudice against it.

But I must stop this, and ask you to excuse me for writing so much about politics. You are not enlisted in this so much as I am. I am glad you are not. I wish I could attend to my own business and leave these things to those who have less to do. I intend to try to do so more than I have done. If you were here I would stay at home more and hear less of the jawering in town.

The health of Sparta is very good. I am hopes after the rains which we have had, the streets and gullies having been cleaned thereby, that we will have no more sickness of consequence.

It is getting night and I have to get supper. I will stop lest I be too late again. I wish you could pick up little Edwin and step over and take supper with me. I shall not have anything very rare, but I could do better if I had you to direct me. I shall endeavor to be patient till you come. God bless you and Eddy.

Your affectionate husband

W.J. Hill


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

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Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan