Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-10
SPECULATIONS ABOUT TENNESSEE
POLITICS.

POLITICS.
The following extract from an
article in the Cincinnati CONNER
cial, leading Republican journal,
about what it styles the coming
political campaign in Tennessee, is
a fair exhibit of the view of our
situation from the outside, and if
We should have a campaign at all
is a pretty just estimate Of what it
will be.
In introducing it, however, we
may say that there are quite large
number Of sagacious Conservatives
who gravely doubt the wisdom of
any political struggle in August
that will lead to excitement At
the proper time we expect to give
our own views on the question, and
at this time merely counsel that it
be left at rest.
The Commercial says
The contest will be one of a remarka-
bic character, on account Of the actors
who will figure eonspicuously in it, and,
As in most other States there will be very
little political excitement-sO, at least,
it promises nOw-the progress of the
canvass will be observed with the pro-
found interest that is inseparable from "a
national campaign, though lacking lis
Importance. Ex-President johnson npOn
the one hand, and Gov Brownlow on the
other will be the nuclei around which
will graYitate the various political ellen
ments and interests From this circum-
stance alone we may infer something of
the intense bitterness that will character
ize the canvass Both East Tenuesseeans
and old political adVersaries, temporarily
united during the war by common hos
tility to secession, their ancient feuds
will be revived, and add flames to a fire
that has food in more recent events to
heat the furnace as hot as that into
which the three lsraelites were precipi-
tated and the temperaments of both
men are such that no moderation can be
hoped for 1t will be war to the knife,
and to the hilt of it at that.
Gov. BrOwnlOw will have the advans
tage of the State organization to en- force
the disfranchise law, thus practically
cutting off thousands Of the enemy, and
an almost unbOunded influence in East
fIannnGsan - l., =,
estimate what influence Andrew johnson
can exert there. The time was when he
could have carried it with him, but that
time was when he talked hotly ofpunish-
ing traitors by putting them on back
seats, aud making treason Odious for all
time to come. When, with his elevation
to the Presidency, he dropped the ak of
the executioner, and grasped the olive
giving his brotherly embrace to those
it was appreheEded he would draw
and quarter the enthusiasm for him
died out in the hearts of the mountains
Gers, and bitter excavations came from
lips that had been sweet with eulogies.
Ii Is doubtful whether the wisdom Of his
element policy has made itself sufficiently
apparent to satisfy his old neighbors, and
rcinstate him in their good graccs: nor
will the fact that the entire ex>rebel
sympathy of the State will stick to him
closer than II brother contribute to ad-
vance him in the esteem of those who
divide their hatred in about equal parts
between the neutral secessionist and the
active rebel lt is, therefore, probable
that East Tennessee will remain true to
the Parson Governor, and support whom-
sOevcr he supports.
The sentiment Of the middle and Yves.
tern sections will undoubtedly be with
the ex-fresident The softening Of his
official heart toward those who had fallen
under the condemnation of the law,
will oblige them to overlook the fact
that he was once an implacable enemy
while they were fighting under
the banner of rebellion, or skulk-
Ing IN the woods or marshes t. escape
the hot wrath of the Provisional Cover
nor Their engrOssiDg desire now is to
he relieved of political disabilities, and if
the promise Of delverance is held
cut 10y rallying to the support of Mr.
johnson, 1t will. require no long roll
10 summon them into line Till
they are made free of their bonds at
Ueast they will not care to critically ex
hmine the autecedents of the man who
reaks their chains, or spurn with kick
Of contempt the messenger who holds in
his hands a guarantee of political free,
dom But beyond the moral influence
which this dislranchised multitude may
be able to exert over those who are pc
litically endowed, they will be of lite
advantage in the pending canvass They
have no votes to count on the decisive
day, and the reluctance of the existing
State administration to give to them the
opportunity to make themselves felt in
the supreme hour, is a certain indication
that if strict enforcement of the law can
keep them from the polls, the power to
make it effective will go with the dispO~
sitlon to cOnstTue it severely.