Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-06-17
For the Patriot.
The Discussion in BEDFORD.

SHELBYyuLE, June 18th, 1859.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Y esterday was great day
with us. At an early early hour the people
began to arrive; and by the hour of speaking,
one of the largest assemblages which has
been seen in Bedford for long time, had ar
ranged itself around the speakers stand in
the beautiful grove at our new fair grounds,
about a-half mile from the courthouse. A
goodly number of ladies graced the occasion
with their presence.
About ii O'Clock the discussion commenc-
ed-Gov. HARRIS leading off, and consumed
the usual time allotted to each speaker. /
had heard the Governor in his former can
vass, and knew him 10 be an able man and
fluent speaker. On this occasion he evinced
his usual ability and considerable ingenuity,
making the same points upon the various top
les, which. infer, from the accounts have
read, he has made at other places during the
canvass. / shall not attempt to give you
even an outline of the discussion.
The crowd was a very attentive and inter-
ested one during the whole discussion. The
Governor by his speech evinced that he had
hard road to travel. With all his huency
and tact-which has acquired for him the
name of "skillful dodg er'-he evidently i'm
pressed his hearers with the fact that he felt
that he had to labor hard. His whole spec oh
was undoubtedly Labored effort, and the
Governor evidently felt that he has an uphill
business in this canvass. On the other hand
Col. NETHERLAND spoke as one having every
vantage gro1nd-his speech was clear, plain,
forcibIe and unanswerable. After clearing
away the dust and smoke attempted to be
raised by the Governor, he took him up on
the currency question, and with all the Gov
ernor's skill at lodging, he must have felt the
weight of his great Inconsistencies and the
equivocal positions of himself his party and
their platform on this vital issue. Gov. IT,,
from his speech and the true construction of
his platform, is literal ''hdrd-money man."
NETHERLAND holds him up in clear and I'M
mistakable light, and Notwithstanding his
willy efforts to catch both the hardS and the
softs, his true position is seen and understood,
and many of his own party are shrinking and
will revolt from the Governor this time.
NETHERIAND was overwhelming and convinc-
ing in his facts and figures upon the eXtrava-
gance and corruptions of the Administration.
On this point the Governor .'confesses and
avoids" to use a technical phrase, l have
heard the lawyers use. But all to no pur-
pose; NETHERLAND has evidently got him, and
everybody can see that the Governor feels it.
To sum the whole thing up, the discussion
here on the 18th was interesting and able.
/ never heard NETHERLAND before, but have
heard good many political speeches, but
NETHERLAND made the most telling and eff
fective speech that l have ever heard from
any politician; his sound and sober facts. his
earnest and dignified manner, and his strong
and logical argument riveted the attention OF
the whole audience. No wing speaker ever
having, under my observation, received from
democratic hearers here such a calm and mark
ed attention as NETHERLAND did on yester-
day; and | knos0 l am not mistaken when | say
that the impression was fine, and you may look
out for its results in August. If such be the
character and effect of the discussions
throughout the State, there need be no fears
as to the result in August.
Not e. man of our party is to be found here
but what is delighted with NETHERLAND and
the high position he holds in the esteem and
confidence of the honest masses OF the people.
He is doing his whole duty as the candidate
of the Opposition. and is doing that d!tty aceH
Surely his friends throughout the State will
second his effort by vigilant and untiring
icoTk for the cause until the polls are closed.
All will be we'll in Old Bedford. A