Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-07-17
Gen, Jos. A. Cooper.

Clinton, Tenn, July 9Th, 1867.
Editor K,lorville Wig:
If series of gallant and able services in the
cause of loyalty, freedom, progress and Union givs
eny claim to respect and esteem, Gen. JOS A Coop
er by his conduct up to the conclusion of the war,
has certainly earned Che admiration of all friends
of our country.
Scarcely less entitled to honorable mention in his
uuselfsh and honorable course recently when the
enemies of our party, hopeless of victory in fair
fight we're striving desperately to effect diyi-
sion in cur ranks.
East Tennessee knows his history by heart. In
May, 1861, he was the only delegate from Camp
bell county, who appeared at the Knoxvlle-Greene-
vile Convention Returning home, he raised a
company and on the lst of August started in search
of the old fag," after voting the same day for
Maynard and the Union ticket His company,
Company A, lst Tennr) was the first organized
body of men in the United States Army from Ten
nessee during the war. Made Colonel in 1862 by
the Secretary Of War, Brigadier General in 1864
by Lincoln, and afterwards raised by johnson to a
Brevet Major Generalship for gallant services, TO
date back to March, 1865. His courage and pa
triotism met only their just reward.
Of his ardent devotion to the cause of the Union
and his COOL yet desperate courage on the battlefield
every soldier who served with him can tell.
In August, 1866 he was one of the unsuccessful
candidates for Congress- though receiving graft
fyingly large vote.
More recently his name was prominently before
the Athens Convention for nomination, as the Rad
cal Congressional candidate. Though supported
there warmly by numerous friends, the choice of
the Convention was Mr.. Maynard.
Since then have been most strikingly displayed
the sterling, reliable qualities of General Cooper's
character which entisle him in so high degree to
the confidence of his friends and party. He was
constantly and most urgently beset TO disregard the
action of the Convention, and announce himself as
a candidate. Mr.. Maynard5 present opponent, and
other prominent Knoxville Conservatives, pressed
the matter upon him personally with the greatest
warmth and urgency. Assurances were even prof
fered that if he would take the track no Conserva-
tive candidate would be put forth.
he was assured of great chances for success, and
the fact of his having been an unsuccessful oPpo-
nent of Mr. Maynard at the previous election
would it was no doubt supposed, render him the
more willing to run the race.
servalive wiles He had agreed to abide the action
of tho Convention, and he was unwilling from mo-
tive of personal ambition to break his agreement
imper the success Of the party by causing it to
have two candidates in the field.
Again, when urged by friends in the Radical par
ty to become candidate for the State Senate from
Knox and Roane, he refused to interfere with DR..
Eaton, the candidate already in the field
In his present position, at the head of the State
Guard, his efficient and soldierly management of
the troops under his charge win doubtless promote
the welfare and tranquility of the State, and do
Yo,eI, s., -->S-4- 1--'--- -si7--.- who are
watching closely hoping that some misdemeanor
on the part of some member of the militia may
give them chance to raise the cry of Radical
outrage
A man, who like Gen. Cooper, has shown himself
unwilling to sacrifice the good of the cause to his
personal ambition, is such man as can be trusted,
aad the party will do we'll 20 bear such men in mind
IN the selection of their standard bearers in the
future JUSTICE.