Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-09-17
From the independent,
The Tennessee Election.
by HON. HENRY WILSON.

excited more interest or been more COM
mented upon by the press. The friends
of the Administration were sadly disap-
pointed by the result. They have striv-
en- to draw comfort from speculations,
guesses, and prophecies but they may
as well, and at once, abandon all hopes
of that state, and cease to take any spec
ial interest in its action. 1t has passed
into the control of violent and unscrupu-
lous politicians, and will be quite as dem
ocratic as Kentucky herself
This result has been brought about by
that want of principle, violence and
treachery so characteristic of Tennessee
politicians. The republican party of the
nation has been more than just, it has
been generous, to the public men in that
state-giving them its confidence, and
even thrusting its honors upon them.
This justice and generosity have. how
ever, been almost invariably repaid with
ingratitude and treachery.
When the nation was plunged into
civn war, Emerson Etheridge was forced
to flee from that state by rebel violence.
He came to Washington, without money
and weighed down in body and mind.
He at once received attentions, encour-
agement, and assistance from the patri-
otto and liberty-loving men at the Capt.
tai. John w. Forney, who has rendered
signal services to the party in Pennsyl-
vania, was unceremoniously set aside,
and Mr.. Etheridge elected in his stead,
though he had never contributed any
thing to the party and was then in no
condition to do SO. Time passed on.
The burdens and trials of the war press
ed heavily on the administration. State
after state shrank from the support of
Mr.. Lincoln and his policy of emanci-
patton, until it seemed almost doubtful
whether those favorable to a vigorous
prosecution of the war would retain a
majority in the House. In that time of
anxiety and trial it was discovered that
this Tennessee refugee was an migrate,
intriguing to prevent the organization of
the House by the friends of the admins
tration. His Vaccinations were, howev-
err, defeated; and, muttering maledic-
tons against those who had too generous
ly trusted him, he returned to Tennessee.
Andrew johnson, who advised rebels
to remain in the Union, protect slavery,
and control Mr.. Lincoln's administration,
was made brigadier general and provis-
ional governor. With misplaced conf
dence he was selected as candidate for
the vice presidency, and Hannibal Ham
lin was laid aside Violent in word and
act, he burdened the republican cause in
the canvass Of 1864. And, when the
highest power came to him, he at once
ungratefully betrayed those who had
trusted him and before Mr.. Lincoln's
body had reached its final resting place
he had entered upon the work of betray-
al and conspiracy against the party to
whom he owed his elevation.
| Nathaniel G. Taylor also came North,
seeking aid for himself and friends, and
found it. Good, generous, and patriotic
men of Massachusetts, under the lead of
Edward Everett, contributed more than
100000; and they, too, were rewarded
with that meanness and treachery which
such acts of confidence and generosity
seem fated to receive from that quarter.
When Tennessee was welcomed into
the Union, her senators professed fidelity
and friendship-one of them out Herod-
ing Herod in the extreme radicalism of
his opinions. Like the others, however,
he failed when the test came, and now he
weakly deserts and disowns what he once
So Generously supported
When the fifteenth amendment passed
the Senate, the legislature of Tennessee
was in session and about to adjourn. Tel
egrams were sent requesting it to remain
a few hours to adopt that important mea-
sure. But, notwithstanding these press
ing dispatches, those Legislators adjourn
ed and went to their homes, leaving
question involving the rights and destiny
of race and essential to the stability
and well being of the nation to the risks
of an election the selfish intrigues for
which had already began and the results
of which are now before the nation.
In the state canvass of 1857 the bitter
and violent words and the extreme pro-
scriptive spirit of portion OF the repub-
lican party were a source Of great regret
and modification to their northern breth-
rem. But victories came and those who
looked upon Office as an end rather than
as means began to visit upon each 9th
er the same denunciation they we're ac-
customed tobestow upon their opponents.
Divided by no principle, but inspired
mainly by ambition, selfseeking. and
personal animosities, those who had We'd
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