Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-12
STOKES AND sENTER.
Their Discussion at cleveland.
Repetition or their Nashville
Speeches.
No Enthusiasm-POpuIar Favor
Divided About Equally
Between Them.

Special telegram to the Union and American.
CLEVELAND, June IL, lS69.-The eau
didstes for Governor addressed the people
to-day. The brief notice of the appoint
ment perhaps, or at least some cause,
failed 10 bring ont such audience as have
been accustomed TO listen 10 gubernato-
rial aspirants. There were not more than
two hundred persons present, and
no feeling whztever was exhibited.
Indeed, there was very little interest
manifested on either side. The people are
busy al their crops, and ii is probable that
the canvass in East Tennessee will not
draw out large crowds.
The discussion wss opened by G " Sen
ter 10 speech Of Two haur's length. The
leading feature was his declaration in favor
of universal suffrage, Substantially as ao-
nOusced in his speech at Nashville on
Saturday last If elected Governor, be
said he would exert his official influence
with the General Assembly 10 secure the
calling Of a State Convention to revise
the constitution with the view Of re-
moving the franchise disabilities which
rested upon a portion Of his fellow
citizens. He wanted all the people
Of Tennessee 10 be freemen in the full
sense of the word. The franchise is the
right Of the taxpayer, and he shonld have
IL. He declared that he held no double
faced attitude on this great and over
shadowing question. Believing that the
sentiment OF the Republican party, of
which he claimed 10 be sincere and con-
sistent member, was in favor Of remitting
this the greatest penalty for completely in
rebellion, and holding that the term had
passed when IL was either right, Just or
safe to keep any portion Of the American
people in a state Of penal Acknowledgement,
he without reserve cOncurred in this senti-
mept, and without equivocation as to his
position, threw his fortunes as a candidate
for Chief Executive before the people of
the whole State, and staked the issue upon
the cast Of his die. Before East
TeunesseeaDs - his own people - those
among whom he had been reared, by whom
hs had been trusted in office, with whom
he had stood in the dark hours OF the re-
bellion beside the Gag Of the Union, with
whom he had suffered persecution for 10y
alty's sake, whose interests he had ever
cherished, whose sentiments he had ever
honored ~ he did those Of the ancestry
where heroes slept among the mountains,
at whose feet he stood, whose honor and
rights in every capacity he had ever
been called TO act, he had iealously
guarded, he avowed this great principle,
and stood prepared to defend and main
- l-nax.y fha ,aapf,la IF Eaaf
Tennessee were brave. Ii had been tested
in the forum of debate, in the camp, in
the field, in the dungeon and in exile.
They were renowned for their constancy,
their endurance and their heroism. No
fattery could seduce, no power could COM
pei, no tyranny could extort a re-
nunciation of their devotion 10 the
Union Such a people we're necessarily
generous and noble and magnanimous.
The qualities Of courage and large hearted
magnanimity were insepsrable. They had
been prosecuted and wrohged. They were,
for long time, properly jealous of the
power they had acquired to protect them
selves. They were tenacious of their 10y
aIty and all the right to rule, which, with
the triumph of the Union arms, it had
conferred on them. In this, he acted
with them. He was with them now, and
he did not permit himself TO doubt they
were with him in the position he had
taken, 1t had been said by those opposed
10 him that he would not dare TO face the
peopIe of East Tennessee with this great
doctrine OF charity on his lips. Bot he did
dare. and was here to proclaim it and ex-
hort all to approve and indorse it. He de,
cisred that the time had come for .
restoration Of a just peace, founded
on the equality of ali men under the con
stitution and laws. The President of tht
United States was elected on this platform
He had reafiImed il in his inaugural
He had practically enforced it 10 his al
nlinistration. The great party Of progress
the Republican party-that had saved
the country from dismemberment, that nov
ruled il, and were destined to continue Il
rule, were in favor Of equality of all meT
before the law. Ii was the soul anC
essence If Republican government. While
the integrity of the nation was in DANCE
from the Vaccinations of conspirators an,
Rebels. it was wise to restrain them.
was necessary TO restrict the franchise, tina
those of tried loyalty might hold possession
of the power Of government. But Their
were none now W hSoAiioh hnN XIV
ernment. He was persuaded that th
demon Of secession had been exercised
and would not return 10 renew his dlaboll
csl schemes.
Those who had beeE misled and delude
had renewed their loyalty to the govern
menL SelEinterest, if nothing else
had forced them 10 do so. He was wlllin
TO coDcede that a higher sentiment hs
att mated the mass of them. They haC
at any rate, Welded allegiance. The
were consequently entitled TO the freedoI
and benefits Of the government they SUI
ported. La q republican government th
meant the ballot. Ii is the freeman's arr
Of defense for his rights and of protectio
10 his property. 1t was unwise as well 5
unrepublican to deny il 10 any portion
the people.
The Governor dwelt at considerab
length upon this topic, and his points wer
forcibly taken. Upon other subjects
state finances, internal improvements, b
competitors record and his equivocal pc
sition on the franchise question, he aIs
smoke, but not differently from his remark
on last Saturday, and it is not necessary
send them.
Gen. Stokes responded in a speech
tvo hours duration. He said, he was he
to-dly for the purpose Of addressing b
felIow-citizens. He had come before the
a. a candidate for Governor. lie full
appreciated the high and responsible pos
lion of the Office Of Governor. IL W
without solicitation on his part; he hi
never for a moment sspired to the POI
lion. and never sought il. He had subm
ted 70 the will Of the people, who were {
best judges of mans fitness for off,
and Lad lhus yielded TO The wishes of
numerous friends. who insisted that it v
necessary for the success of the party Ii
he should make the race. II he belIey
tbft b. could advance the Interests OF