Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-05-31
THE DISCUSSION. LAST WEEK.

Of the discussion between Ethe
ridge and Stokes, which came off her,
last week, it is now too late to under
take to give critical account. Thos,
who heard it, need no information O,
the subject, and those who did not
can not be enlighted by anythin,
short of a full report-at least of Eth
eridge's speech, and the least said o
Stokes, the better for him and hi
party. We do not remember ever t,
have listened TO debate where truth
Justice and talents were SO entirel,
on one side, and on the other, moth
ing but bold assertion, gross misrep
resontation, buugling attempt at soph
istry, stolid ignorance and brazen eff
frontery. If the Radicals had tried
they could not have found a champ.
on so admirably fitted, politically and
intellectually, to bring out, in strong
relief, the vast superiority of the Con.
servative leader, and the pre- .emine Mt
wisdom of Conservative policy over
the destructive measures and malig.
nant meanness Of Radicalism.
But whatever tho effect upon 9TH
ors, the debate strengthened our con-
viction that, if the Conservatives rely
upon the justice of their cause and
the eminent ability of their standard.
bearer, defeat will be the result. 1t
was plain to us, that portion of the
audience were more delighted with
the twaddle of Stokes than with the
eloquence, argument and unanswera-
BILE logic Of Etheridge. The collar
Of the Loyal League was visible upon
the necks of many who boast that
they are free, and the truth was there.
by exempted, that the earnest labors
OF the wicked can prevail against the
indolent confidence of those who o..
pouse the better cause, and trust to
its own morits for its final triumph.
That "truth is mighty and will pre-
vail, Is one of those specious soph-
istries which, seemingly lf.evident,
mislead those who forget that the
victims Of error are far more numer.
GUS than tho voiaries of truth, and
that the time never has been when
the cause Of truth did not demand,
for its success, far more earnest and
uncoasing advocacy than the cause of
error.
The present crisis forms no excep-
ton to the rule, and we tell the peo-
pie, in town and country, that unless
they labor diligently and judiciously
to defeat the Vaccinations of the
Loyal Leaguers and loyal liars, it is
idle to hope for success. We are sat.
ished that victory can be won, but
cortainlynot by indifference, despond.
ency or that false pride which fool.
ishly disdains to work upon the only
material available for success. And
IT the overwhelming magnitude of
the stake for which we play, is not
stimulus enough to bring out every
latent energy Of an insulted and OPP
pressed people, then, in the language
Of Mr.. Etheridge, they DO not deserve
to be free. No halfway effort will
succeed. We must work, and work
In concert; consult together as to the
best modes Of proceeding, and to as.
sign to each the field of labor
which he Is best fitted to cultivate.
There is work enough for all, and
there Is nota man IN the County who
can not contribute something toward
securing the victory which is within
our reach The enemy is strongly
fortified, but the last entrenehment
thrown mp for his defense, affords us
the means for making breach, and
If We do not, by this means, success.
fully assail his strong hold, the fail.
uro viii be due. not SO much TO HE
strength, as to our own inactivity and
rdiaer0nee.