Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-29
The Presidential Contest.

aow the battle is 10 be fought and on the one hand
estimate the value of victoryon the other the cost
and consequences Of defeat
We think that we err not when say that so
important a political contest has never yet been
opened Id America. And, what is somewhat sur
pricing, is that the eight is to be bold and open
not from behind concealed batteries Grant and
Colfax ara the full free and thorough representa-
tives and standsrd-besrers of the Radical Republi-
can pariy--the radical devotees and advocates Of
Progressive free government, resting on loyal
hood suhrsge-tbe true representatives Of that
power Of The American people that refused to see
permit the American Republic TO be slaughtered by
those Of ita own children and bousehold--that mass
Of American brains bone, blood and muscle that
welded the arm Of power in crushing rebellion
which, had il been successful would have lei Amer
lean liberty, institutions and interest floating dis
abled wreck, with despotism and anarchy as the
only Pors Of entry. Nov, that the conflict at arms
is ended government enlightened, free and lbe-
raj with not less sternness Of power than is neces-
sary TO protect against the assaults Of internal and
external foes, is supported controlled and guided
BY those whose right is that Of conquest, common
justice, undoubted law, and with The viii Of God
a form and power Of government which gives am
pie aud full protection to al who will be its friends
aud extending 70 IFS svowed enemies a forbearance
and lenieney unparalleled in the history Of human
governments IL is admitted that this form Of gov
eminent is radically Republican in its character.
The severe throes Of the greatest rebellion the
world ever knew the transfer Of more than four
millions Of slaves from servile bondage to freedom
and the presence throughout the land of artfu bold
nd H.
cessary changes in our organic laws; the addition
Of strengthening and protective arms Of power not
before known required. By virtue of these addi-
tiona progressive features, the Government Of the
United States liVes-wthout them il would fall
sudden prey to its growing enemies.
We repeat that this peculiar and indispensable
form of government inaugurated by the power of
the people, the guardian of which they are has its
future existence represented in the present canvass
by Grant and Colfax-men Of undOubted courage
philanthropy patriotism and statesmanship, and
who are standing on platform broad, full, COM
pFehensve and just and which will secure the main
tenance and executive administration of cur Gov
eminent on the loyal peoples line of policy with
such additions Of wisdom, strength and power as
may be necessary TO insure permanence and ample
protection 70 every true citizen under the folds of
our ample banner Those who endorsed the action
Of tho Government during the late war, and fought
70 maintain it, can well and consistently support
such leaders Grant and Colfsx
But how OF the Democratic nominees and their
platform To say the least they are most appro-
pirate and thorough representatives of the oppo-
nents and enemies Of the present Government of
the United States. Seymour not only surrendered
TO the rebellion during the rebellion, but did the
cause of the Confederate States more valuable SER
vice, and the cause Of the Union and Govern ment
more injury and harm, than be could have done had
he been an acting major-genera in the rebel army.
To illustrate with testimony, we need only refer to
bis Cooper Institute speech pending the battle of
Gettysburg, resulting it did in the New York
riots, and for time in the defeat of the draft His
open and bold advocacy of surrender Of the Gov
eminent to the rebellion by reconstruction, with
full immunities and privileges rights and powers,
TO the revolving States, with slavery made perpet-
ual be not only crippled the power of the Govern
ment in the State Of New York, las we'll as other
States) but gave directly to the armies of the rebel
impressively told that the full and hearty action in
the n~a~~nti0 ef thooe Who leading spirits of
the rebellion, is an open admission by them that
they accept the situation" Very we'll, but sohat
situation Surely not the situation moulded and
established by the loyal people and arms of the
United States No but the situation referred 90 is
the Seymour and Blair" situation, to wi. The sit
ustion when changed from what it now is to that
of slavery restored and at leas: full controlling
official power in theGeneral Government and States
intrusted to the hands Of those who planned and
prosecuted the rebellion The situation with the
Federal war and public de5t, if not repudiated,
deeply diEhonored, and the Confederate war debt
assumed. The situation with the addition 70 our
pension list of at least the names Of the disabled
soldiers Of the Confederate army and of the widows
and children Of those who died we're slain in the
service Of the rebellion and especially must all
stain and dshonor or semblsnce Of dishonor, be |
wiped from the skirts Of those engaged in or COM
plicated with the rebellion, and then drive back |
North All carpet baggers-that is, men of Northern
birth who refuse 10 /" fank-p-5lair" themselves
leaving the Southern States in their normal chiv-
alrous condition. Such is the prospective s,t,a-
foa" accepted.
1t is truly remarkable, yet il is well known, that
The Democrats standard-be are out from be-
hind masks-that they openly avow their hatred Of
he lawful Government of the United States, and
aver their purpose TO overthrow and revolulionze
/ if the power so TO do is or can be, acquired by
hem. Another remarkable ear-mark we'll worthy
IF note, was the material of which the Democratic
Nominating Convention was composed and the
'ssily controlling power exercised by its leading
pirits. No could fail to discover the large re-
element Of the Confederate army in the
envention--desgnated, however, as Southern sol
,Iers-to whose peculiar wishes and views the
Northern snti-wsr and anti-republican and pro-
iavery element in days Of yore) readily yielded.
With Tenneseeans single illustrative reference on
bis point will be sufficient and that viii be the
'ictuTc Of Democratic Hon. T. A r. Nelson press
Nc through the crowded hall to reach Gen. N. B.
Forrest and lead him forth 10 cast the undivided
vote Of Tennessee. In view Of the
occasion and the cause contemplated, the proceed
ne was " it," cat sight and proper But we are :
ion renewal Of hope and energy which could have
'een drawn from DO other source and was an un-
Questionable demonstration Of the deep and malie-
liant animus Of the man.
or Blair il may be said that he fought as a Fed
rs officer during and until the suppression Of the
ebellion and the surrender Of its armies and that
le has since most thoroughly surrendered to the
dement's Of that rebellion, making bis obeisanee so
ow to his masters that but for the use they ex
ect to make of him, they would now treat him
penly with losthing and contempt. Not satisfied
With saying as much q respectable States-rights
re eater would dare utter be goes more than full
nessure further, and openly advocates as thorough
rebellion as the one lately suppressed. Indeed,
more so, for be not only recommends but demands