Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-22
SENATOR ROWNLOW-THE PG-
LICICAL OUTLOOK IN EAST TEN
NESSEE - RADICALISM IN A
OUANDARY. ETC


To the Editors Of the Union AID American.
KNOXVILLE, Aug, II, 1S71.-The ru.
NOR has been current on our streets fol-
several days that the health of Senator
Brownlow was in precarious condition.
How this Is, l am not able to say. There
IS one thing about him, however, that but
few seem to understand, and that is his
remarkable tenacity of life. He clings tc
it with terrible resolution, and grapples
with his ailments With extraordinary en-.
ergy. But for his indomitable will and
his unconquerable purpose he would have
been in his grave long ago. He is de.
tsrmined not to die until his time comes.
He often facetiously remarks that he has
no idea of dying before his term expires
in the Senate of the United States. and
that he will not suffer sinking Rebel
to take his place. Whatever may be his
physical condition, he is, nevertheless,
cheerful. He has never been any other
way during his severe affections.
The political outlook in East Tennes-
see is not very positive one way or the
other. There is but little excitement on
the subject of politics, the people being
more concerned at present about their
material welfare. There has been no dis
position on the part of our political lead
ers since the war to organize for sys-
tematic action. They have deemed il
best to await the development of events.
Perhaps they are right. One thing, how
ever, think wrong. We have been halt
ing too much between two Opinions-De
mocracy on the one hand and Conserv-
atism on the other. 1t indicates that we
are both ''pig and pup" Ostensibly we
are acting with the Democratic party, but
make show of opposition to it by an
unnecessary buster about Conservatism.
This is child's play. We should ''take
the bull by the horna, " and proclaim an
unadulterated democracy. If our country
is ever saved ard snatched from the bloody
clutches of the exls.ing dynasty, it must
be done by this grand old party. Why,
therefore, "whip the devil round the
stump"
The so called "Ne1O Departure" is not
disturbing our equanimity. In the rural
districts but little is heard concerning it.
In our city papers we have an occasional
paragraph upon the subject If it will
cut "Snlack smooth ofn the sham.
string" of Rsdicalism, why, for heavens
sake, let US have the departure. Any
thing is certainly preferable to the cor
ruptions and mOnstrOsities of Radicalism.
We will strike hands with any respectable
body of men to hurl Grant and his CO.
hoTts from power.
There is no question but that the Radi.
Gals in East Tennessee are somewhat per-
picked and non plussed in view of the
cool and determined manner with which
we regard the situation. To be. sure
they are striving to draw some con-
ISOLATION from the fact that we are divided
upon the ''new departure" question. But
in this they are Counting the chickens
before they are Matched" They will
find out to what extent we are divided
by waiting. They have some little fam.
i!y difficulties of their own to adjust,
which are now giving them some trouble.
Grant is breaking down under the omin.
Gus pressure of party hatred and inca
pacity to administer the government.
The man is a "mistake"-a miserable
abortion. He has neither brains nor
manners. The New York Sun made a
capital suggestion when it urged Grant to
keep out of good society, as he had not
dignity of character enough, nor of intel
ligence, to command respect. G.