Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-08-28

We suppose that she nemear4tie papers
had Il 70 be popular with thsir readers 70
deaoaaoe and bold Governor Brcwnlew up
10 pubic sxeesatisn. We are. 10 tsb cpin-
ion because those papers universally and
constantly represent that gentleman as a
monster Of the most revolving character
~ q sort Of gorilla, terrible in his wrath,
nntamahie in he hAhila and disposition, and
gigeea with an oratery whose vitaperaisve
torce Is only eqaaiied by lie voeiferoasnsss.
That Governor RrovBiow Ia o mar Of no
ordinary genius aad character IL an ineor-
tcssable fact His whole life has beea q
marked enc, and MARRIED By these events
which stamp him - ono Of these men who
seem pruyidentiAily provided for the great
emergencies In which they ere called 10 act.
Years ago. Andrew johnson and William
q Brewniow were tAea tegcther In the
same section Of the sane State. They were
politically opPoeed then, and that opposi-
ton. with the exception Of The short period
from 1850 10 1855. has continued 20 the
present time. During the quarter ef =
century IN which he opposed Andrew jean
sen in East Tennessee, he acted a. . sor, Of
educator or regulator u popular sentiment
His politics begun and ended with the pre-
servstion Of the Union, and 30 warmly IN 4
herceiy did be press usienism upon he ep.
ponentS, that whenever their orators en-.
! tered East Tennessee, they hsd 10 drop their
disunion theories aud play The part Of 10.
ion loving mca. In this way pablic senti.
nent In EAst Tennessee. though Dcweersfse,
was kept FREE from Calhounism and treason.
During those memorable years, Brownlow
was subjected 10 every kind Of political
prescription. He was hHnted and deneunr.
ed, detained and viiited by his Political
opponents in q manner which can hardly
be imagined BY those not familiar with
political contests in localities vhere The
newspapers 10 virtually discarded ~
vehicle Of information, aud where aiseus-
sion 10 always oral. Bruwniow, though sll
this time in minority. shrank tron NO
contest. bal braveay and dehsntly net his
opPoasnts- From the very nature OF things
these discussions frequently degsnerased
into mere exhibitions u personal dsnHncia-
ton, aud, naturally ccmhaiivo be soon &C.
CARED even In fhis, a. in all ether styles VI
cFstory, vast superiority over his rivals,
including, among The latter, Andrew John.
son.
The war came, and tho fruits Of Brown.
lows teaching were manifested in the an
wavering fidelity Of East Tennessee 10 The
Union. The moment Andrew Johnson pro.
ei4imed himself Unionist. he bad the sup
pert Of brovniew and East Tennessee.
When Asdrew johnson proved false 30 the
Union be foaDd Rrownlew Afreyed against
him, with ali hss wall known peculiar
power
Governor Brownlows speeches have no,
the classic polish Of Cieerc's era.iehs, nor
does be in his controversies display that
courtesy and politesess taught By Chester
Geld. Jet taken in aA things he is q nobler
and better man than either Cicero OF Chss-
fairfield. His lansaago may appear reaEh,
his denuneiation coarse end hla infexihility
despetie, but hshind all these there 10 .
heart keanly alive 10 all the emotions Of
friendship and humanity, and devotion 10
truth and country which admits Of no conf
times bis style might be oHsnsiye TO most
men, bis LOT has been cast among people,
znd against enemies, upon whom Cicero
wonld have made no impression, aud BY
whom Chesterfield would have been voted q
kooI. We think the ooantFy generally viii
regzrd Bropulow's patriotism ~ converting
$ multitude Of impcrfeetionss and that be
has shown triumPhantly by his works that
be was the man 81 al others, qualified BY
nature aid long experience 70 fight the bat
ties Of The Cnioh against it, peculiar tTai
tors Of Tcanessss. he may lack soa,s Of
the adornmenis and grace. which have
marked other meB Of note, lot the very
points Oi bis character which serve bic
enemies with . subject Of detrAeticn, are
tbe very weapons pkieh, 20 = graf cxteni,
have enabled him % triumph over his sd
versaries who have no fear nor respect for
any other mode Of warfare. However
Browniow may be regarded by the Amer
can people, there can be no question that
just snch . man ~ he was indispensable
Tor Union saocess in Tennessee, and that,
having accomplished tho Ersnd result, he is
grateful country.