Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-31
THE TENNESSEE CONTEST.
Radical Journals on the
Situation.
Interference by the Washington Au-
thOrities i'm the Purely Local Guar
rel Deprecated.


rel Deprecated.
From the Albany Evening Journal, July 26.
Has not the Secretary (BoutwelD made
a mistake? What is there to warrant
his interference with quarrel purely
local? So far as Repeblicanism is con-
cerned, both of the candidates for Gov.
ernor in Tennessee have equal claims to
recognition. Each was Rebel when be
supposed that rebellion was likely to
succeed, and to ally the State to the Con-
federates. Each became converted und er
the pressure of selfinterest. And each
has since acted with the party, supports
ing all its measures, including emancipa-
tion. investiture of the negroes with citi-
zenShip and establishment OF equal rights
as constitutional principle. The motive
was not very high or commendablo to
either; but it is such as will be found
conspicuous in the record of most Border
State politicians. The men who are now
enthusiastic supporters of the govern
ment, might lave been equally earnest in
opposition to it, had the arms Of the Con-
federacy triumphed. t..
Nor does it appear to US wise or proper
for high officer of the administration to
charge upon a considerable body of its
most earnest defenders, treason, infideli-
ty, and improper alliances with the enc
my. Senator Brownlow is in favor Of
Senter's election. So are many others
of the most Radical" Republicans in
Tennessee. Four of every five Grant
and Colfax clubs in the State have re-
organized as Senter Clubs Is it fair to
assume that these men are bartering
away their principles, or selling party
for which they have suffered and sacri-
feed so much, in order to secure per-
sonal victory? In heated campaign all
sorts of falsehoods find ready circulation.
The Stokes people have undertaken to
prejudice their opponents by represents
ing that they intend to make Andrew
johnson United States Senator, and reOr-
ganize the judiciary upon a dislOyal
basis. The incompstibility of such con-
duct with all the past acts Of the party
thus assailed, makes the story sound
ridiculously improbable. In addition to
this, it has been most emphatically de-
MED by Senator Brownlow, and by the
personal organ Of Gov. Senter at Nash
vile. In the face of such improbable
ty and contradiction, it hardly seems
becoming in Secretary Boutwell, to pro-
nounce judgment of guilty upon an in
dictment manifestly instigated by viru
lent factional hatred.
We have said that we consider neither
Stokes nor Senter representative Of the
highest type of Republicanism. 1t is
most unfortunate that the choice is neces~
sarily limited to two such men, and that
the campaign was inaugurated under cir
cumstancss so discreditable. But, which
ever shall be elected, self>interest and
expediency will prompt him to support
the administration, and enforce the policy
of Congress. The Republicans of Ten
nessee should be left to settle the con-
troversy as they deem best. There is no
occasion for interference by the WASH
ington authorities. The position of Bout
well in the cabinet gives importance to
his action. We may expect now to see
the Stokes men claiming that they have
the sympathy of the federal administra"
tion, and that it has repudiated Senter.
Yet it is safe to assume that the Secretary
acted upon his individual responsibility,
and that President Grant has no desire
to be involved in the quarrel. So far as
the two men are concerned, the sympa>
thies of Republicans throughout the
country are certainly not with Stokes.
From the New York Times. July %.
The wisdom of the course pursued by
Secretary Boutwell,, in identifying him
self with Stokes in the Tennessee con-
test, is more than doubtful. Greatly
interested" in the contest he may natur-
ally be; and right he certainly is in "be-
lieving that the future political character
and general prosperity of the State deN
pend largely upon the continuance ofthe
Republican party in power" But we
are unable to appreciate the expediency
or Justice of interference in behalf Of one
section of the Republican party and
against another section; the section as
sailed by Mr.. Boutwell, being, moreover,
that which is most in harmony with the
general policy Of the President and with
the desires and purposes of the party
everywhere.
1t cannot be on the ground of political
antecedents and consistency that the
Secretary declares himself in favor Of
Stokes. As between Stokes and Senter
there is in this respect nothing to choose.
Both were hostile to the authority oi
the Union at the outbreak of the war.
Neither became loyal under circumstan-
ces which entitle him to any special
credit. Ex-Governor BrOwnlow, who
can be no more suspected of sympathy
with Rebels than Mr. Boutwell,, declare:
that, with twenty-five years knowledge
of both candidates, his preference is fol
Senter. 81 have closely watched theil
political course" says the old man, 'and
| give it as my candid opinion that Gov
Senter's personal character is the bettel
of the two; that his political record is
more consistent; and that, in point o
ability and craftsmanship, he is far su
perior." We do not accept this testimo-
nv as conclusive. But it forms tOlera-
bly, good set-of to the Secretary's par
tiality for Stokes.
If a superior personal or political recort
cannot be claimed for Stokes, is he en-
titled to consideration because Of create
regularity in his nomination? Is he tn
regular Republican candidate, and Sente
the bolter? Certainly not. The conven
ton called to nominate candidate di
not outlive the preliminaries; row aros
about the chairmanship, and the proceed
ings went no further. And inasmuch a
no nomination was made, neither Stoke
nor Senter can pretend to be the regula
candidate. Both are self>nominated. Thi
fact, however, seems unquestionable;
the delegates to the convention, majOrit
were friends of Senter; the disturbanC
which terminated the convention havin
been gotten up by supporters of Stoke
and in his interest.
The COZ sistency of the two candidate
being equal, judging of them in relation
the Union in the early stages of the wa
and the irregularity in their candidaC
being the same, in what direction shall "
look for the justification of Mr. Boutwell,
interference? The proper test, next
the regularity of a party nomination,
the platform on which the contest is col
: Quoted. Tried, by this standard, we hav
no hesitation in saying that the platfor
occupied by Senter is more in accord vii
that of the administration, and of Il
, Republican party, than that of his opp
nent. The canvass, 30 far, has been mark'
, more by an interchange of offensive pc
r L.
I But an important principle, neVerthelet
| saDaratea the candidafes. Sentpr ard II