Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-06-17
From the Republican Banner
Cheatham and Merritt.

Messrs. EDIToRs The candidates for Floater
Messrs Cheatham and Merritt addressed the peopl
iof this county on Monday, being comfy court day
Mr.. Merritt opened the discussion, in which he con
fined himself principally to a discussion of tina
portion of the democratic platform in reference tC
the Legislature reserying the right to alter amend
or modify the charter of banks at pleasure argued
that the people ought to retain the right to contro
| these moned corporations, &c. Mr.. Merritt argued
this portion of the platform with more ingenuity
and force than have heard it argued by any of the
democratic speakers. lie charged the Bath Con-
gress with all the extravagance of the government
and said the Black Republican House was response
bic. He did not argue the "nigger question
At the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Cheatham
rose TO reply. He said that his competitor since
his visit to Nashville few days since, had changed
the character of his speech-that when in the
strong democratic precincts, he dwelt eloquently
upon the negro question, and made strong partizan
speeches. but he presumed he had been differently
Observation-Disclosures were other candidates besides
Mr. Merritt running, and it might not he very good
policy to make very strong partisan speeches as it
might iniure somebody. But that Mr.. NJ. had made
very strong partisan speech and placed the argr-
mcDt in the mouths Of every democrat in the
county that we were afliliating with Black Repub-
licans He exposed this charge with telling effect
lie showed that when the Citizens Bank was char
tered, there amendment offered that the Leg
islature retain the power to alter and modify the
charter-that out of eight democrats seven voted
against it.. Here was chance for Democracy to
show its works, and they failed to do it. He so
presented this point that il fell with crushing effect
upon the speech of his competitor. He showed up
the democratic party on the currency question in
the most forcible and convincing manner. He
showed that in strong democratic counties their
candidates were coming out for hard money but in
strong Opposition districts they were like Mr. Mer-
ritt for recharter of the Union and Planters
Bank and yet they all stood on the platform The
exposure was made with the happiest effect upon
the crowd. Cheatham is doing yeoman service in
this canvass. lie astonished his most intimate
friends here on Monday. He made q speech that no
candidate in the State need be ashamed of He has
drawn the sword and thrown by the scabbard, and
is laboring on the stump and off of it with a zeal
and energy that will tell at the baot-box No can
ddate for the Legislature is doing more than Dick
Cheatham for the good of our cause He meets
the questions of the canvass on the stump with de-
cided ability and is developing powers as a stump
speaker that ESdidnt believe he possessed before
heard him. ndwhen he is done speaking he still
works and never tires. Mr.. Merritt seems to be
much Of a gentleman, and | would not dispamge
him, but Cheatham gained most complete and de-
cided victory over him here. This is not only nv
opinion, but the opinion of all have heard speak
of the discussion and have heard many. Mark
what tell you-wherever Dick Cheatham goes
good fruit will follow for our cause
Springfield, Tenn. Y.