Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-07-04
A FIGHT A FTGHTy!

candidates for gubernatOrial hOnOrs
contemplate illustrating their fitness
for the chief executive office by a re-
sort to the pistol, the hludge0n or the
knife. They exhibit the sorry spec
tacle of two men protesting 10 be
worthy arbiters of the law, about to
violate it in the most ruthless way.
1t is not enough that they are daily
outraging the courtesy, dignity and
good breeding that in all civilized
countries are characteristic of men as
piring to high official station, but
they must excite the lowest instincts
of the lowest rabble, and give force to
the character the Radical party has
made for us abroad, Of being the most
blOOd-thirsty and least civilized of the
communities of the United States.
We treat this matter thus seri-
ously because of the position of the
men engaged in it, not that we
believe bloodshed Will result from the
belligerent messages exchanged. We
treat it seriously, because we think it
about time that reason was taking the
place of passion and guiding pOliti-
clans as it does merchants in the bust
ness Of life. France has just passed
through a most exciting political con-
test, and yet we have not heard of
candidates for the Imperial Legisla-
tive Assembly abusing each other or
exhausting the vocabulary of Billings
gate. so in the British Empire, where
just now the Irish Church Disestab-
lishment question occupies an undi-
vided public attention. Prussia, too,
notwithstanding her violent and
wholesale absorption Of territory,
passed through a political contest
without such ~disgraceful scenes.
We do not, in any Of the European
nationalities, hear of such diatribes
and abuse As SENTER heaps upon
STOKES, and STOKES on SENTER.
The personnel or a%ntecedents OF
a public man is in those
tries esteemed the smallest part
of him. 1t is only by superior abil-
ity to cope with his antagonist that
he can hope to achieve success. Such
scenes as have already been reported
Of our gubernatorial candidates would
in Europe meet with the scOrn and in
dignant protest of the eommOnest peO.
pie; who, whatever excuses they may
indulge in themselves, do not regard
with favor the degradation, each by
the other, Of the men to whom they
desire to commit their government.
There as here, a political canvass
turns upon a question of policy that
has nothing whatever to do with the
antecedents of candidates; but there
it is expected to be discussed pro and
con, and so thoroughly that the most
uneducated can comprehend; while
here, as in the present instance,
the question is lost sight of in
a mountain of reckless statement,
abuse and bIackguardism INDUCED in
by the representatives of the Radical
party. The people of Tennessee
would, had they any share in the
present political effort, frOwn down
such a course of conduct i'm SENTER
and Stokes. 1t therefore behooves
the press, speaking in their behalf, to
express their disapprObation and obie',-
ton to scenes 50 d~isgraceful, and TO
demand that if gubernatorial car-
didates choose to indulge in such they
shall not be held responsible for what
occasions so much delight among the
negroes who have formed the largest
number in the assemblages that have
been gatheredt to hearthem. We desire,
then, that it be distinctly understood
that the white and intelligent people
of Tennessee r opposed to such a
method of political canvass, and
are not in any degree to be held ~
sponsible for it. They believe that it
is easy for politicians to be respec-
and respectful, as merchants us,l-
ally are to n another; and that it is
easy for them to transact their bust
ness upon a peaceful basis. The ques-
ton of the dayto our mind admits Of
no argument; like a jug handler is all
on one side; there is, therefore no need
for a canvass Of it. But, thinking
otherwise, we hope SENTER and
STOKES viii continue it like rational
beings, and not like mountebanks or
plug uglies, determined upon the
amusement of their ignorant auditors.
Against that sort of thing we protest.