The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-08-07
PEoscTiptive Radioalism In its Death.
thIoOO.

PEoseriptive Radioalism In its Death.
! throes.
The overwhelming defeat of proscriptivs
radicalism in Virginia at the recent election
foreshadowed SO inevitably q like doom
in Tennessee, that the faction in that state
is getting desperate. All efforts of the
Stokes party to obtain authority from Wash.
ington to place the state under military con.
troll, so that the old game of carrying the
election at the point of the bayonet could be
resorted to, has failed, and radicalism, for
the first TINT in its history in Tennessee, were
compelled to submit to an honest election.
The radicals were so enraged at the prospect,
that they threaten, notwithstanding Stokes
defeat, to inaugurate him as governor in East
Tennessee, and thus bring their case for de-
cision before congress, in whose reckless dis
regard of anything like legal or constitutional
obligation they have more confidence than it
is found safe to repose in Gen Grant.
The worst of it is, as proscriptive radicalism
is on the downward road in the south, the
faction is beginning to be deserted by it's
northern allies. The Chicago Journal, which
heretofore had been ready apologist for al
most any carpet-bagger outrage in the south,
now publishes approvingly letter from Ten
nessee from which we make the following
extract:
"The political canvass goes on apsce, but the
leaders Of the Stokes party giving up all hope of
success in the regular way, are boldly threaten
ing military Government for Tennessee. 20 Il is
undoubtedly true that the General Government
has been earnestly appealed to in this direction,
but it is understood that the response has not
been particularly encouraging to tho partisans of
the bald-eagle. Stokes friends are fsia 10 believe
that the triumph of conservative Republicanism
in the coming election affords ample ground for
overthrowlng the State Government and erect
ing military despotism in its stead. Senters
majority will be 80 Overwhelmingly large, and
this after fair election that it il really hard to
divine how any pretense can be coucocted a. q
justification for the carrying ont OF the Stokes
military programme. The fact is that extreme,
proscriptive Radicalism dies hard in Tennessee,
and this last bayonet dodge is simply the spas
modic expression of it's expiring kicks From all
the indications, the Legislature will contain but
few members opposed to immediate enfranchise-
ment. All these nominated by the Ssnter party
are squarely committed to the prompt removal Of
political disabilities, while quite number of the
Stokes ticket are pledged the same way"
Proscriptire Radicalism dies hard every
where, and it would willingly adopt military
despotisln all over the country, rather than
yield its power into the hands of the people.
The Journals correspondent also adds:
ut has been feared that in the hush of the an.
ticipated political freedom of the ex-rebels, the
spirit of retaliation would be manifested against
the more bitterly prOscrlpace minority srho hace
ruled the State. as WiM a rod Of iron, during the
past few years. The feeling of resentment doubt
less does exist, to some extent, and it would
hardly be natural if it did not; but it is reason
ably certain that it will not out-crop into any
unpleasant consequences, as public sentiment in
general frowns down every feeling savoring of
recruitment and revenge. The Nashville Banner.
which cirGulates broadcast over the State. il
using its powerful influence to pro.
mote kindly and fraternal spirit all around,
and 80 OF the country press generally. The sit
nation in Tennessee is more promising than for
many day, and everybody is eagerly looking
forward to the time, now not far distant, when
freedom will belong to ALL"
This is cutting Wendell Phillips strongest
hold-the argument for maintaining radical
control of the south by the bayonet as a meas
IRE of safety against the retaliation of the ex.
rebels upon the union men if they get the
control. The Journal correspondent regards
this fear as chimera, only harped upon as an
excuse for the continuance of the most odious
tyranny civilization affords any example of.