The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-06-18
Athsus 9nst.
Athens, Friday, June rs, 1850.
stokes and Scnter ut Athens.

AS had been previously advertised,
the two Radical candidates for Governor
spoke at Athens on Saturday, the 18th.
We told our. readers last week that we
would give them full report of the
speeches. For good and sufficient rea-
sons we decline to redeem our promise.
They occupied five hours, the larger
portion of which was consumed in ven
tillating matters altogether personal to
themselves. In his first speech Stokes
dwelt for the tedious period of fifteen
minutes upon the franchise question
the most important issue involved in
the canvass. lie is evidently afraid OF
it. lie said that he was in favor of
gradual Acknowledgement, and that he
stood upon the Chicago platform in
regard to universal suffrage. Governor
Senter reiterated his declaration at
Nashville that he was in favor OF 50
amending the Constitution and laws OF
the State that the political disabilities o(
the prescribed class should be removed
at the earlies, day possible. aal III me
event of his election would grVar g.lY
recommend such action 70 ;1G @&xl Leg.
islature and Use every AclsrL:as slitsrl
10 secure its adOpttQa. - rtUcA tor
their positions on The tcaa:1s>s- The
reader can discriminate between them.
Both declared in favor OF economy
and retrenchmeut in the administration
of the State finances, but neither pro-
posed any tangible measure whereby
the much needed relief could be secured.
Both favor substantial immigration, and
both are opposed TO any further steal
ing of the school fund. Both were pref
ty sweet, too, on the colored man-par.
ticularly Stokes, who doesn't hesitate
to let it be known that a negro with a
ballot in his fist and no taxes to pay is a
much more important character and
agreeable companion than the white
taxpayer who has been shorn of that
once high and inestimable, but now
badly cheapened privilege. But Colonel
Bill always did esteem the black man
highly-if he was in good condition
and thoroughly sound, never at less
than thousand dollars OH the block
And now he is pandering to their pre-
JUDGES and begging them for votes II!
The crowd in attendance Saturday
was small, numbering less than four
hundred and fifty. There was no en-
thusiasm or excitement, but both gen.
tlemen were listened to throughout the
five hours with perhaps more attention,
interest aud patience than they had a
right to expect from the spirit and gen.
eral range of the debate.
AS Governor Senter occupies the
plainest, broadcast and most liberal
ground on the question Of enfranchise-
ment, we will not offer an insult to the
good sense Of our readers or stultify
ourself by pretending not to sympathize
with his position, or that we would not
vote for him if we had the opportunity.
lie says in the event of his election he |
will recommend the Legislature to ACT.
His competitor, Col. Stokes, don't pro-
pose to do anything but "sTAND on the
Chicago platform" But in admitting
preference We do not propose to be-
come unduly excited or run wild about
q struggle between two Radicals for the
office of Governor. Of two evils we
should always accept the least, if either.
1t is, however, of much more impor-
lance in every respect that the next Leg
islature should be largely composed of
better material than the last-a fact we
intend to keep prominently before the
public, let who may win in the guber-
material race. There is likely to be
plurality of candidates in almost every
Representative, Senatorial and Floterial
district, so that the difficulty of making
a proper selection will not be great.