Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-30

ossee "a sort of private preserve Of its own, and
boa been enjoying an almost complete monopoly in
eunplving school readers. This certainly an
exceedingly nice thing. The State Superintendent
however did not recommend their series of readers.
Here was an injury deep enough to raise the wrath
of even the neelest publishing house; and its
wrath did rise and wax bot against the officer who
had dared to disturb their fat monopoly. But bis
knowledge, skill and activity in the performance Of
his Official duties were not what they chose to attack
Open and fair criticism upon his public acts was not
inst the thing that would be the best revenge The
fine conservative weapon Of libel was clearly the
weapon to use. OF course, if the publishing house
should act openly, in its own name, the motive
would DO seen at once and the libel would fall harm
less There was no trouble in finding Jealous toolE,
who would gladly undertake the contriving and
framing of the libel Their own agent at Chatta-
nooga and an excellent conservative teacher at the
same place, and well known rebel printer not Of
the same place, were the three who took the busi-
ness in hand and did it with alacrity. An anony-
nous circular headed, IRE These Things So9 Who
Can TEL" was written at Chattanooga, printed at
Nashville, and scattered profasely over the whole
State. Bundles Of it went to every country cross
roads post Office The libel in this circular was in
the charge that the State Superintendent had acted
corruptly 10 making his official Recommendation, by
receiving a certain large sum of money from the
publishers Of some of the books named in the list
recommended. The change, to be sure, was utterly
false, and was instantly pronounced false both by
the Superintendent and by the publishers Of the
books. But who ever knew a libel published agai INST
political opponent during heated canvass 70 be
retracted2 No indeed. The maxim that, "a lie
well stuck to is as good as the truth" was never so
thoroughly acted upon as by our conservative edi-
tors and our excellent friends and feIlow-workers in
this good cause, the rebel journalists. And so the
Cincinnati publishing house have their revenge
and We conservatives enjoy The satisfaction of hay
ing wounded the cause of the hateful free schools
by stabbing the reputation of that officer who stands
as the head and representative of the free school
| system.
A careful weighing of the foregoing statements
will, we think, convince all staunch conservatives
as well as our valued and trusty friends the dis
franchised rsbes that there is the best of ground
FOR expecting that the wretched project of free
schools viii be found what it SO richly deserve;
to be-a total failure. Only let US have another
year of hearty help in the Comptrollers office only
LET our laceys, the Cincinnati publishers, food the
State With malicious circulars during the coming
season. free Of all cost TO US; and let US for oul
part only keep the air thick with libels upon the
schools and the school officers, and with lies about
the school taxes aad school monies, and all viii be
as we want it to be- The next Legislature will
meet pledged TO wipe the odious law from the stat
/ ute hooks and will quickly nut things back where
they were, and where they ought to be. Then will
the poor be made once more to know their plac6
and keep it. Then win the rich again enjoy in full
measure the advantages and privileges which ma
turaITy ans; rIgnrfurIy UUIUug 10 Tne rIcn. Uowr
with equality ana down with free schools the pes
tent miseries OF equality.