Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-17

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course, will be more substantial sup
port in his great duty of defending the
integrity ofthe government; and one, too,
which will thrill wi tn delight the patri-
otto heart of the nation.
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EMERSON ETHERIDGE FOB GOV
ERN0R.
The people Of Tennessee, and, indeed,
Of the whole country, are so familiar with
the name and fame of the distinguished
Conservative nominee for Governor, that
it is unnecessary to do more than an
nounce the fact that he has been made
the standard bearer, to give assurance,
that in this contest for the restoration of
republican government, they have Cap>
tain worthy Of the cause-one who will
yaliantly maintain it on every feld-One,
who in political combat, neither begs
through fear, nor comedies through favor
one whose yigor of attack leaves de-
Tense out of the questionable is aggres-
! HNt thiuGllli u Iedi JOU uG LiOH OF
debate When his name, as the cham
pion Of the Constitution and conseryat-
ism, shall strike the ear of the chief offs
cial despot of Tennessee at his home in
Knoxville, he will quake with fear and
rage, as did the guilty Richard when
Stanley smote him with the message
"RichmORd is on the seas" He will feel
| it as a presage of his doom, and though
it may nerve him to desperation and in
spire his cohorts to n terrible struggle,
they will enter the lists knowing that, with
all the odds that an almost complete
equipment of tyranny gives them, they
will encounter foeman, triple-mailed in
truth, and n host within himself They
know his power and his first cry of onset
will tame the audaeity of their boldest, ard
spread doubt and dread through all their
their ranks
Mr.. Etheridge is, We believe, native
Of North Carolina, thou gh his whole life
from youth, has been spent in this State,
and in that section where he now resides.
BE first entered public life as member
of the Legislature in lS45, defeating the
candidate of the opposing party in the
face ofanoverwhelming majority. He even
then gave evidence of the force of char
acter and talent which has since ma
tured him into one of the most dextrous |
and powerful political disputants, that has
ever appeared upon the hastings in this
country. In 1853, he was elected to
Congress and held the position for two
terms, during which time, he achieved
a national reputation as one of the most
thoroughly informed public men of the
time, and as skillGuI, courageous and
eloquent debater He was one of
the few members who always com-
manded the attention of the House,
and left that great theatre an ackuowledg.
ed master Of every weapon in the forensic
encouragement invective, wit and satire
In 1857, he was defeated in contest with
Hon, j. ID e. Atkins, an able and popu,
lar gentleman, a result in great degree
attributable to the over confidence of his
friends But two years afterwards, he
defeated the same opponent in one Of the
most memorable contests ever waged in
this State, characterized, however, with
knightly courtesy on bo5h sides, equal to
its ability and ferceness-
1t was during this term of service that
the political troubles of the country cul-
minated in the civil war. Mr.. Etheridge
previous public career had been one Of
steadiast opposition to both Of the mis-
chieyous sectionalisms whose collision
had produced that calamity His con-
Siction of duty led him to espouse the
cause of the COVE rnment, and with his
boldnt IS he took that posi-
ions, and throughout the struggle main
aimed il with energy and fidelity He
vas made Clerk Of the House Of Repre-
p natives in 1861, and in Washington
city, gave his whole personal and official
to the support of the WGr for
The Union. He never, however, in a sin
gle act or for moment, forgot conserva-
iism, or sunk the character of the earnest
patriot into that of n fanatic or radical
lie went to war to preserve and uphold
the constitution and the government, and
not TO destroy and overthrow them in a
wild crusade against toe rights and liber-
lies Of the people. This is the position
he occupies e. day before the people of
Tennessee, az the unanimously chosen
candidate of the Conservative masses
bis clear intelligence detected the first
Of the demOniac Radical
SIN now ram pant in the country, even
before the close Of the war, and il did
rot elude his well-directed blows. lie
las struck at 1t in every guise and shape
hat It has assumed since and nowinthe
Mold and tern ic despotism It has de-
'lared, he confronts il as the accredited
eader of the people of Tennessee.
We are assured that Mr.. Etheridge viii
promptly enter upon a thorough canvass
Il the Sta te, and continue in the field
lntil Aug asst The feeble health of his
omPetitor of course forbids any pros
'ect Of ii scussicn between them, much