Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-02
PUBLIC LEDGER.
THE KNoxvILLE HOMICIDE.

The papers have a good deal to say OF
the killing of General Clanton, of Ala
bama, at Knoxville. People at dis
lance reading an account of the origin
of the difficulty, marvel that so trivial a
cause should have resulted in so bloody
an act. 1t was, however, suspected that
something was at the bottom that did
not appear on the surface The Press
and Herald, without alleging that poll
tics was an element in the quarrel, con-
tradicts statement Of the Chronicle
that Col. Dave Nelson was Of the same
party as General Clanton. General
Clanton," the Press and Herald says,
twas the Chairman of the Democratic
State Committee of Alabama, and has
been identified with the Democratic
marty since the war. Col Dave Nelson
has been not only Radical, but very
prominent and demonstrative one.
Along with Senator Brownlow, he voted
for Senter; and on personal grounds,
purely, voted against Mr., Maynard for
Congress, and for his own father for SUI
preme Judge. He was an active elector
on the Grant ticket-was appointed to
Office by Grant, and has never been
identified with any other than the BAD
ical party. These facts are notorious in
Fast Tennessee. The Radical character
of the son is as well known in East Ten
nessee as the Conservative sentiments OF
the father. and their political antagonism
has been the subject Of almost universal
comment" In addition, it says:
In explanation of the serious turn so
sadly given to a seemingly trivial con-
yersation, this very plausible suggestion
has been made by persons well ac-
ouainted with the character of Gen.
tlanton and the circumstances SUR
rounding him. Gen. Clanton had had
several difficulties with the adherents of
the Stantnps since his connection with
the A. and G. railroad, and he had been
going armed in anticipation of further
trouble. During the forenoon of
"Wednesday, he had made very caustc
speech in the Federal Court against the
Stanton party, handling them without
gloves. He had reason to apprehend an
attack from some of the party. Col.
Fort. who introduced Col. Nelson to
him. was one of the attorneys on the
Stanton side of the case, though friendly
with Clanton. 1t ia thought that when
Nelson showed signs of irritability, the
idea must have entered Clanton's mind
that the affair was maneuver to inselgle
him into a difficulty. and, being brave
under all circumstances, he determined
TO meet the issue then and there 1t is
believed that he must have thought
(however enormously that the Stanton
business was at the bottom of the diff
Guilty.
We give these statements without
comment, or without deriving from
them any theory Of the tragedy. II is
accomplished, and becomes a part of
the history of the bloody days in which
we live. The invention of firearms,
while it has tended to conserve the
peace of nations, has had an opposite
effect on individuals. Nations, after
war, disarm. individuals, after battle,
go doubly armed. There seems TO be no
help for it. Men are passionate, full of
prejudice, and having the means OF at
tack, sweep to the destruction Of the OBJ
ject of their hate. Nothing but disarm-
ament everywhere can eradicate this
evil. Let our Legislature direct its at
tention to this subject.