The New York herald., 1869-06-17
TENNESSEE.

Progress of The Gubernatorial Campnign-The
Republican Spirit-BrOwnlOw Comes Out
for the Enfranciisement Of the Ex-Rebels--
Prospects Of the eCandisiates-Ta cites of the
Democrats.
KNoxvILLE, June ID, 1859.
The present condition OF the political canvass in
Tennessee presents an interesting and instructive
lesson. Since the last gubernatoria campaign In
tins State, two years ago. when, under the manipu-
lation of the Registration Commissioners and their
appointed judges and clerks OF election, Brownlow
was declared elected by majority OF $4,000 votes,
the work of dlsintegraton among the radical ranks
has been rapidly progressing. During Brownow's
term Governor beng in feeble health, he resided
entirely at his home in Knoxville, not once visiting
the capital OF the State. His powers during
the first year OF his term were delegated
to and exercised by the Secretary OF State.
Mr. A. ]. Fletcher. About q year since the two
officials quarreed, and the Secretary, after stating
his grievances through the newspapers, declined to
further perform the functions of the Executive In
addition to his From that time until the reslg
nation Of Brownlow, In February, 1869, there seems
to have been watchful eye over the interests OF
the State, and as necessary consequence the most
stupendous frauds on the treasury were committed.
The State has lost by this criminal negligence OF her
sworn Governor vast and unknown sums, the de-
tails OF the exposure or some OF these frauds being
published in the daily newspapers at the time Of
their discovery. Since the Inauguration OF Governor
Senter these villanies nave been inirequent, al
though every week brought to hight some new
details of the punder committed during the term OF
BrOwnow.
Ii While the people all the State were ex-
cIted and indignant over the discovery of the enor
nous losses TO the state Trea sury through the mis-
management OF the public school funds, that the
Radical State Con vention assembled IN Nashville.
The tumuit and disorder IN tnat assembla9e OF the
representatives OF the rauicas party III the ottte mas
never been truly explained. Twottirds OF the dele-
gates had been instructed TO support Sto kes for the
nomination as Governor. These represented the
radlcallsn, eceetence, or tennessee. Inc Other
third were the friends OF the powers thaT were, oi
mainly rom East Tennessee and had, IL Is lalr 10
presume, more confidence IN the honesty ana iIeg-
rity Of principle Of the young Governor tnan tney
allowed to the Old, wary ana cunning poltician W.
b. Stokes. these Sen;er men knew ttat IN the tnen
excited condition OF the puDlic mlnd IL would be
| hazardous TO place IN nomination candidate SO
| fully committed as was Stokes TO the party whose
officials had so remorseessiy plundered tne State
| Treasury The moderate men OF their party, Doth In
the state and throughout the country were demand,
ing that the taxpayers should no longer be debarred
| from participating IN the affairs OF The STATE and
| thai the policy OF continuing the dlsiranchise-
| ment OF so many OF the best portion OF the commu-
| nifty was inimca to the welfare OF the state. The
| minority OF liberal delegates TO the Convention,
| after earnest consultations determined to force
| appeal to the people the issue OF the immediate
enIranchisemeat OF every citizen or the state, ana
TO this end the disorder in the Convention material
| ly assisted The body adjourned DE. without
| enectng even 4 temporary organization, ana the
| friends OF senter placed him in nomination on the
CaIcago platform, while Stokes was announced As
| candidate on the Brownow radical platform or
eternal punishment 70 the hell-deserving rebels"
Scarcely mad the de egates TO the abortiVe cOnVen
ton reached theT homes ere the news flashed irom
one end the State to the other that the supreme
Court in session al brownsville, had decided tnat the
franchise 1855, under which the county court
clerks issued certificates, conferred upon tne per
coming under It's provisions right 10 exercise
elective franchise, which right could not be taken
from them. ana neither the Governor nor the Legis-
lature could dlyest such rights by amending or set
tIng aside TINS registration. The announcement OF
this decision caused universal JOY among the friends
of white eniranchisement as II was held TO be the
entering wedge TO the entire repeal OF the obnoxious
franchise law Tue result OF the decision wlll oe TO
augment the conservative strength by the addition
OF IRON 30, 900 to 40 900 votes.
on Saturday, June 5, Stokes opened the campaign
In Nashville by long speech reiIeratlng MS inten-
eternal punishment. Senter was present at the time
and being called on by the audience In a short aud
telling speech announced his platform being 1.-THE
Immediate enfranchlsement Of every taxpayer in the
State.n The effect OF Senters enuncation oil this
policy was TO array 1T once under his standard the
| liberal republicans and. the conservatives. There
no bolsterous or excited demonstrations among
the latter but the yeiest gratitude WAS manifested
| by them, and from all parts OF the State came the
unanimous expression OF their intention to support
senter. There VIII be conservative candidate for
| Governor. There Is division among the friends
Of universal suffrage. spirit OF frleaoy compro-
| mise exists between the Senter republicans and the
conservatives and to whatever strength the former
have on the dag OF election VIII be added the $1,000
conservative votes, which alone insures Senter
large majority over MS competitor.
IL 1t be matter OF surprise 10 the people who live
without the borders OF tennessee that these $4,000
votes should not be given to q conservative candi-
date seeing that the total radical vote In the State
Grant only trine over $4,000, the answer Is
tnat to do would combine the two radical factions
on some compromise candidate, and the usual
manipulation OF the registers OF registration would
not only deprive thousands OF the right to VOTE but
also figure up majority for their own party candi-
date. The conservatives appreciate the benefits to
be derived from having the registers on their side,
they will be with Senter as their choice and have
no intention OF doing aught TO heal the ossensioHs
among the radicals. Their attention will be given 10
electng universal suffrage candidates to the Legs
lature the end that q convention be called by that
body and the OBNOXIOUS clauses OF the constitution
| stricken out.
East Tennessee Ia now being canvassed together
by the rival candidates for Governor. Brownlow's
policy has confused the intense ''loyalsts' Of this
end Of the STATE VINO have been accustomed TO look
upon Old Procr with reverent eyes as the "incar-
nation OF loyalty.r Brownlow's record on the sur
frage question mas been SO very extreme that his
present somersault has been facetiously termed by
The liberals "deathbed repentance" Probably
the late decision OF the Supreme Court, with great
fear that before the court adourns the franchise
law OF 1865 which question Is now before the judges,
| will also be declared unconstitutional, has had
modifying effect ON the great Rebel Ventilators"
Stokes will hereafter take Brownow's place In the
estimation OF the small remnant OF Tennessee "loy
asts" as the leader of the loyal hosts. lie has bean
dubbed by his friends the " Bald Eagle Oh the Noun
tans.n This distinguished title Is, at least, de-
served; for the Bald Eagle" has face as thin as
worn out hatchet, a long, hooked nose, nigh fore
head and u bald head. which glistens ike the snow.
| capped summit OF the mountains which surround
| his home. Senter VIII certainly break up the " Bald
EaQieisr eyre in East tennessee IN the beginning OF
the contest, and the Jolly Eagle" Will then have
resting place for his wearied pinions