The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-05-11
THE GUBERNAToRIAL CANVASS.


The Gubernatorial Canvass opened at
Murf'eesbOrough on the LIST instant A very
large crowd is reported to have been In at
tendance. The editor of the Nashville Wing,
who was on the ground and heard the candi-
dates, speaks Of their respective efforts as
follows
The arrangement, we believe, was TO speak
two hours and reply fifteen minutes. Gov.
Johnson led. He Iabored bard, and with all
his characteristic ingenuity, shrewdness and
ability, to carry the day as by storm, but un-
fortunately exhausted his most available ma
teria in the first half of his speech, and the
remainder Of his time worked "in the brush"
to little purpose. He labored hard TO array
Col. Gentry and the Wing party against each
other, and at the same time to identify Col.
Gentry with "old Federalism" which Democ-
racy has always a'Iedged to be identical with
Whigism. He also took bold ground against
the great "Amercan" movement in all its es.
sential features-expressing his opposition to
It in strong and unequivocal, if not violent
language. His speech was evidently pre-
pared with mnch labor and care, but its effect
upon the crowd fell far short of the measure
Of attention and ability which had appa
rently been bestowed upon it. We presume
it may be regarded as his speech for the can
vass.
Col. Gentry came forward to reply, with
the ready tact and versatile resources Of the
natural orator and cultivated statesman. He
promptly waived or parried the ingenious
thrusts which his competitor had made to
separate him from his political friends, and
| with characteristic readiness of repariee and
satire soon turned the tables upon him.
Indeed we heard very intelligent gentleman
remark that he had not been speaking more
than fifteen minutes until he had beaten John
son-such decided superiority did he evince
in impressive power and practical resources.
He said, among other things, his competitor
could not force him to quarrel with those who
are disposed to be his friends-.he had for
given every man in Tennessee any injury he
might have done him in the past-and he
hoped every man in Tennessee had forgiven
him in like manner. The "American" ques.
ton he debated with power and earnestness,
held the attention of the large crowd enchain-
ed for one hour, while he dwelt with patriotic
zeal and statesmanlikea ability, upon the great,
and growing, and dangerous evils which the
American party seek to correct, and thor.
oughly vindicated the means it adopts to
accomplish the ends proposed. Hisargument
on this head was complete, thoroughly Amer,
lean, and in our judgment unanswerable. So
thought a very decided minority Of those
present--if we could form any correct opin-
ion from the indications around US. And al.
though after speaking an hour and half in
q very animated manner, he was so much
fatigued as to dispense with the remaining
half hour of his time, we think we cannot be
mistaken in the conclusion that he carried
with him the favorable feelings and convic-
tons of large majority Of the crowd present
despite the labor, tact, and ingenuity Of his
competitor.
Their replies were spirited and entertain
ing, but rs no new matter was introduced,
we need not speak Of them at length. Suffice
it to say, Col. Gentry fully maintained his
ground, il indeed, he did not advance upon
the quarters of his competitor. Altogether
we regard the days work rs highly encour-
aging to Col. Gentry's friends, and cheering.
" indicative Of glorious triumph at the
nolls