The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-06-14
[For the East Tennessee Union Flag.l
Speaking at GreeneVllle.
GREEyEvILLE Tenn, June 10Th, 1867

GREESEvILLE Tenn, June 10th, 1867.
Gentlemen-1his evening we had a joint
discussion at this place, between the two
candidates for Congress in this district, Hon.
Il. r. Butler and one James White Of Haw-
kins County. Judge Butler opened the dis
c]lssion by q speech of one hour and II half,
giving a full definition Of the general charnc-
ter and objects OF the two parties as they
now exist in Tennessee but more especially
did be excoriate and STAY by an exercise OF
the most unmerciful cruelty the party IN our
State knO Tn as the conservative, copperhead,
Johnson, rebel party, headed by one Emerson
Etheridge as n candidate for Governor. He
went on to show that in Congress while a
large number of the Radical party were in
favor Of passing a law paying every loyal man
in the State for the losses he had sustained
10 consequence Of the rebellion, every con-
servahUe member voted against il. He also
proved by a reference to the platform of the
conservative party, that they, as n party, are
in favor of the immediate enfranchisement o.
every rebel in the State, and not only enfrau.
chising them, but of turning the state gov
eminent over to them, and allowing them to
run it, even in the person Of Isham q. Har-
ri5, now ofLiverpoOl England.
The Judge called on Mr.. White to know if
he was for ErheriGge for Governor. White
nodded his head in the affirmative. He then
told him that Etheridge said, Judas I~scariot
sold himself for thirty pieces Of silver, but
Johnson ANDY sold himself for greenbacks.
Now Etheridge must either have told a he or
the truth, which was it 2 This was a hard
question for Jimmy, and he determined on
making no reply, and therefore said nothing
poor JeemeJ was in a quandary.
have heard a great many political discus
sions, by men of various degrees Of ability
but | feel confident that | have never heard
one in which one party was more completely
whipped than was Mr.. White and his party
to-day even Capt. Davy Fry was unable to
contain himself under such a terrible lashing
as Judge Butlsr gave him and his party. lie
got mad and undertook an interruption Of the
meeting, aided and assisted by Rev. j. =.
HoltSiHger the Revenue assessor for this dis.
trict. But these would-be conservative lead
ers Of old Greene, soon found that the great
majority Of the audience was against them,
and thereafter exhibited a disposition 10 keep
the peace. 1t was a great victory for radi-
calism in this county, and will long be re-
membered.
Mr.. White claims to be very loyal, and
TO have been during the late rebellion, but
Judge Butler introduced the sworn afidayit'
different persons proving that be furnish.
ed the rebels with leather for their soldiers,
them wagon loads 10 Knoxville At
one time, aud also at another taxing a drove
Of large fat sheep to the same place TO feed
the rebels. When this charge was made
Mr. White, IL created the widest and
most enthusiastic cheering, may Of the SOL
iiers b~leating like a sheep, ia mockery Of
loyalty. At this point Of the discus
lion, | could see Whites lips moving, as
be was praying to heaven for " roeks
md mountains TO fall upon bin to hide him
rom the seorn aud indignation Of an out
aged and betrayed people" He exhibited
!. eare-worn eountenanee, and looked as
bougb be saw political death staring bin
10 the face, With no ray Of hope beyond
he grave, aud 20 terribly CALLED did be be-
.ome, that he repudiated the platform upon
which be accepted the nomination AZ q can
lidats, and said be was opposed 10 the rebels
'oting, opposed 70 the third section OF the
,ratiorm which hs helped 10 make at Nash.
lille on the 18th OF April last, aud which
convention nominated E.hsridgs for Cover.