Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-01
The NeK lrder an ThIngs.

There sre some who are signing for the good old
times. They see only mournful innovations in the
great social and political changes which have passed
over the face Of society. A friend who thinks well
and deeply on public questions, has addressed US
letter which contains views and states principles
worthy Of wider currency. The letter is private,
or we should be pleased to give the authors name.
The writer states: aPeace, progress, knowledge,
virtue, the ignorant may sheer, the bad deny but
we rely 70 see their triumph near. Calm words,
great thoughts unfinching faith, have striv-
en- in vain. They have won our battles in times
before and so they shall again.
{" The administration Of Gov. Brownlow and the
action Of the Legislature have made footprints to
raark their loyalty and usefulness, The work Of
destruction is easy bat the clearing away of the
debris and the building up, are the work Of time,
Industry and wisdom. The work of reconstruction
10 Tennessee has wonderfully progressed The pO-
litica shelter is over us, and / venture TO say its
finish and promise of usefulness far exceed the
wasted, ill-shapen fabric OF q former day. The
foundations, columns and finish mark it as moulded
BY the progressive ideas Of new born ago. In the
work Of construction my humble efforts we're put
forth But in this our labers in behalf Of educa-
ton and the financial integrity of the State, the
building up ofb faith and credit, will stand as en-
during monuments of we'l-timed purpose and pa
triotism
The dogma Tennesseeans TO the manor born,
TO rule Tenncssee, is too imsy too puerile to find
favor with sagscous and generous minds, and is
simply the echo Of an obsolete sectionalism. Ny
Policy eounsels that the interests and affairs of the
party and State shall receive an impetus and take
direction from the wisdom, integrity and loyalty
of good men. The truth is, the State is being po-
litically born again. We are all new corners. Old
things have passed away; old seclionalism, old
thoughts and old politicians and policies must give
place 10 new men, new thoughts new ambition, and
new and manly objects and enterprises. As fossils
mark the periods of the history of creation, so do
and so will, political fossils define the mutations
creations and existence of parties and policies
There political fossils and the process of fossil
izing is going on. Each period fingers with an
other, till species becomes extinct This is Gods
law, and while the process preserves an unbrOken
chain in creation and development, linking the
whole together it is applicable alike to the higher
as well as 10 the lower orders of creation There
Human affairs and progress have their original, Sc
condary and primary formations, chronological of
their existence and relation. There are fossil ce-
reals, fossil whales and there are fossil men, with
their ideas-once alive and active-retaining only
the form of their existence. Mutation, progress
and trans~nutaiion leave break in the scenes of
organic or mental and moral organization. In His
divine wisdom, God instituted the spirit of progress
sion to develop human beings, human society and
human government, that His great designs shall be
fulfilled, Of drawing ali men nearer to Him in truth
and purity"
In the new era Of which our friend so eloquenty
and philsnthTopically treats !. is not strange that
some Rip Van Wrinkle should arise and clamor for
Sleepy Hollow as it was twenty years ago. and
should denounoe new times, new manners and new
men Thoughtful, intelligent men will recognize
in these new conditions greater possibilities and
the prophecy Of a higher development.
SENIOR EDITOR.