Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-15
Affairs In Memphis.
Another Richmond in the Field.
THE GUBERNATORIAL CANVASS
in EAST TENNESSEE.
= 81 t8tE4
Senter and Stokes at Knoxville.

Special to the Union and American.
KNOXVILLE, June IA, lS69.-The au-
dience in attendance on the speaking OF
the candidates for Governor numbered
twelve hundred or more.
Gen. Stokes arrived on the IL A. M.
train and was escorted to the Court
house by a number Of persons Ito be
particular, Girty-eigh whites and tDelUe
blacks) They were mounted and carried
banner inscribed, "No Hnipersal suffrage
for Hsr'
Gov. Senter opened the debate in q
speech of two hours length. Upon the
leading issue-the question Of Immediate
or gradual enfranchisement-he took sub
stantially the same ground as at N srhville
and Cleveland. His language at both
, pisces was repeated, and be lsbored to
make il emphatic. He was for he re.
movai ofrestrictions by the readiest proper
mode, and would 30 recomm end TO the
Legislature.
The remainder Of his speech was deyo-
ted 70 the record Of Stokes during the re-
bellion, and az a member OF Congress. He
enlarged upon his tergiversatiOns on the
original question Of rebellion-his attitude
toward the negro populstion-and his
equiyocal position on the extension of the
franchise. He eontended that he had
PLAYED fast aud loose on all these ques-
lions, bat thai as his Nashville speech
placed him, be was in antagonism TO the
broad aud liberal doctrines OF the Ma
tionsl Republican party on the suffrage
Issue. .F
Gen. Stokes replied. He commenced
by giving his reasons for offering himself
as a candidate, reviewing the action Of the
so-called convention Of the 10th OF
May. He then entered on a defence
of his rebellion record, from the
Duncan letter TO the surrender. He at
tackled in turn the record of Senter as
member of the Legislature Of 1861. In
reply to the chsrge of Senier 10 regard to
the Cate conspiracy, be said that be and
Cate had a right TO discuss and consider
Senters disabilities, and held as proof that
they were correct, that Senter hsd been
subsequently compelled to solicit Congress
TO remove them. 49,.
In relation to the negro question, he
claimed 10 have been the first man ia the
State 10 advocate the right of suffrage for
the coIored race.
He also asserted that he was the first to
propose any modification of the franchise
laws of the State as regarding Rebels He
labored this point at length, and eDdeav-
ored to make il appear that he tUas a better
ainiUersal suffrage man than Senter. he re-
ferred 10 ex-(Iov Brownlow's card pub
Iished elsewhere in this mornings paper
Ed and said that SenteT endorsed it.
tl,of vaoaitipr he aaid II UOnld he
at least two years TO enfrsnchise Rebels,
whilst on his plan the process could be COM
inenced at once.
IlHe hoped that Gov. Senter would not
use his Official position to tsmper with the
registration Of voters. He read letter L
fsom Athens, Tennessee stating that Gen
Jos. A. Mabry had intimated at that place
that a change of the Commissioner would
make the county of McMinn stronger fol
Senter, and that Msj. Bayless, Quarter
master of the State Militis, had been of
feripg TO bet $4,000 on the result Of thu
election. In conclusion, he assailed yigor
ously the railroad management and tn
school fund business. He demanded Al
entire change in the financial admiBistra
ton of the State, and urged economy il
the public expenditures.
Gov. Senter, in his rejoinder, charged
Zen. CbOkeb Win " ldCh on III
sufTrage question. He said that he starte
out opposed to universal suffrage, and hi
plau Of as speedily as possible conformin
The franchise laws Of Tennessee TO the pol
icy of the Federal government, and th
principles Of the Republican party. A
be understood him to day, his competito
claimed 10 be better universal suffrag
man than himself Would Gen. Stoke
deny that that was his position to-day
He challenged the friends Of Stokes in IL
audience TO deny that he had done II
Z He waited for a response, and there wt
none.
Gov. S. then proceeded to defend b
course in removing Commissioners of X
eistration in the counties of Maury Sc
Wilson, on The ground that the officers
these counties had failed TO do their dut
by refusing TO register men entitled undo
the decision Of the Supreme Court.
Gen, Stokes reioinder was merely Goa
fined TO an exhibition of bis CoDgression
services 10 behalf Of the people. H
spoke specially Of the improvements ma,
by the government in the navigation
the Tennessee river, and claimed speci
credit for them. lie asked 10 know il th
competition, the Governor, had ever do
anything as public servant for which
was entitled TO credit.
The debate was attentively heard, al
spiced literally with sharp personaliti
In these, Stokes hsd the advantage a
evidently had the encouragement Al
sympalhies OF the listeners generally.
The crowd in attendance appeared to
largely in favor Of Stokes. Senter's Dc
trine of universal suffrage is not pOpul
with the Radicals Of East Tenness
Browulow's card even does not suit the
r... X. Y