R. K. Gaston for Legislature, 1863 - Smith County, TX

Submitted by East Texas Genealogical Society 
P. O. Box 6967, 
Tyler, TX 75711 

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TYLER REPORTER, May 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 1

By reference to correspondence in another column, it will be seen 
that Col. R. K. Gaston has been called upon and has consented to 
become a candidate for Representative from Smith county at the August 
election. Mr. Gaston is well known as one of our best citizens, and 
as a man well fitted for the position which his fellow-citizens have 
called upon him to occupy.

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TYLER REPORTER, May 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 2

Tyler, May 18th, 1863.

Col. Gaston:
Dear Sir--Deeming it a matter of much importance that our county 
should be represented in the next Legislature by men of the right 
stamp and equal to the emergencies of the times, we, the undersigned 
citizens of Smith county, your friends and admirers, knowing of no 
one better qualified and fitted in every respect for the position,
most respectfully request that you will consent to become a candidate 
for Representative in the lower branch of the next Legislature, and 
allow us to have your name announced as such.

Wm. Green, Jo. W. Davenport, Geo. Yarbrough
Theo. G. Jones A. W. Ferguson, Henry Wilfong,
Saml. D. Gibbs, Tignal W. Jones, H. H. Curl,
S. H. Boren, Wm. Gimble, B. L. Goodman,
D. H. Cade, Saml Goodman sr. R. W. Chapman,
J. L. Neel, L. P. Shackleford, C. M. Wiley,
J. W. Fields, J. F. Boswell.
Mt. Sylvan, Smith County, Texas, }
May 23d, 1863. }

Messr. Wm. Green, Jo. W. Davenport, Geo. Yarbrough, B. L. Goodman, 
and others:

Gentlemen--Your communication of the 18th inst., requesting me to 
become a candidate for Representative in the lower branch of the 
next Legislature, has been received and considered. Coming from the 
source it does, it seems to leave but little choice of my own. Were
I to consult my own inclination and individual interest, I would 
certainly not be a candidate. In fact, I had at one time come to the 
conclusion that I would never again enter the field of political strife 
and excitement. But a great change has taken place in our country, and 
we are now in the midst of perilous times, engaged in a most cruel and 
bloody war with a great and powerful enemy, and all political issues 
and party feelings being laid aside, every true patriot should rally 
to the standard of his country, feeling that he is not his own, but 
that he belongs to his country, and that he should act in whatever 
capacity his fellow-citizens see proper to place him; and however feeble 
may be his efforts, yet he should do all in his power to aid in the 
achievement of the great end for which we are all striving--the 
independence of our country. With this view of the subject, I have 
concluded to consent to your request, fearing at the same time you have 
overestimated my capacity and ability. But however that may be, should
I be elected, I will strive to do all in my power to promote the best 
interest of our county and the State at large.

Accept, gentlemen, my grateful acknowledgement for the kind expression 
of your confidence.

Your ob't serv't,
R. K. Gaston.