The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-07-30
The Candidates for Governor.

The Candidates for Governor.
For reasons unnecessary to repeat at
this time, our paper during the canvass
has been conducted with less zeal and
ability than might have been the case
under different condition of circum.
stances. But as the CONTEST is about 10
close and this is the last number we can
issue before the election, we wish to
say few words to our friends in this
and the adjoining counties. We have
heard with regret that some few Con.
scrvatiyes and Democrats, here and
elsewhere, would not go to the polls or
election day, because they feel no inter.
est in the candidates for Governor. both
of whom are Republicans. Such de.
termination is wrong, and is founded IN
misconception of the situation and Of
the great duty of the hour. 1t is true
that both candidates are Republicans
or Radicals, if you like the term better
But there is a wide difference between
them-betwecn their positions and the
attitude they occupy before the country
to-day; If we may use the figure, the
same difference that there is between
darkness and light, or between liberty
aud justice and tyranny and oppression
Col. Stokes is the representative Of the
extreme Radicals-of the p,'osc,fpttve
wing of that party-of its reckless and
selfish leaders, who, having tasted Of
flee and power through the disfran-
chisement of a large portion of their
white fellow-citizens, would retain their
hold by keeping them DISTINGUISHED
in despite of its acknowledged wrong
and injustice. On the other hand, Mr..
Senter is the representative of the more
liberal and, as we think. much the
larger portion of the Republican party,
who believe that the time has come
when all political disabilities should be
removed; when all who obey the laws
and pay taxes should have voice in
the government; that representation
and taxation must go hand in hand. and
the principle of equal rights and exact
justice TO all men be re-established. At
the opening of the contest he grasped
the standard of Free Suffrage, of Uni
verSal Enfranchisement, and has borne
it proudly and triumphantly from the
green hills of Carter to the blooming
corton-felds OF Shelby. He has met
tine defan, BIRD of the Mountain" sue.
cesstully in every county and OIL every
stamp. He has been instrumental il,
striking the bonds from thousands Of
his prescribed citizens, and open.
eli the way by which other thousands
still under the ban may re-possess theil
lost position and again stand forth in
the full proportions of freemen, re.
deemed and dsenthrallcd. This is what
Dewitt G. Senter has done and is doing
to-day, Republican, or Radical. though
he be. And shall we not support him,
and by our presence al the baliot-boX
and by our votes next Thursday, swell
The majority which will proclaim his
success over his less liberal and more
vindictive competitor. No one will
suspect US of cherishing partiality fol
members Of the Republican party Of
Tennessee. We have had no particular
cause to fall in love with any of them
But we consider it just as much oul
duty to advocate the election of Mr.
Scnter at this time as though he belong.
cd to and had been nominated by the
party with which we sympathize and OF
which we profess to be an humble
member.
Such is our view of the situation-oi
the Importance of the issue involved
OF the duty of the hour and the obi
CATION we owe to the more liberal OF
the candidates now running for the
Chief Magistracy of the State. And we
cannot conceive how any one who pro.
fcsses to be Conservative, or Demo.
crat, can take any other view, or can
be apethetic and manifest indifference
about result in which so much is EN-.
braced. We repeat, then, that we es.
TEEN it the duty of all who feel 'thai
they possess the right, and who have
obtained certificates, to attend the polls
next Thursday and cast their votes fol-
Dewitt c. Senter. We make no appeal
to the passions and the prejudices-we
want no one to be controlled except by
his own sense of right and consistency.
They are free-free to act as Judgment
and reason may dictate; then let them
aid in redeeming their fellow-c citizens
who are still prescribed and oppressed.
1t is duty which they cannot honora-
bly, neglect or avoid.
-". The Military at Nashville.
The Fourteenth Regiment of United
n - L