Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-03-21
WHO Has BEEN OPPRESSED.

A boy just learning to throw stones, in
the conceit of his new requirement, is as
likely to smash in a costly Gay street
window-pane as to make a ripple in pond.
Some newspaper men having but slight
comprehension of the duties or influence
their position gives them, and proud of the
temporary power with which they are in
vested, use the press as the boy does the
stone. Reading their exchanges they note
in some of them high-tempered hourishes
in which such terms as "usurpation, !"
tyranny constitutional rights,p ''des-
potic power,n "history of the world, &C.,
are fluently strung together and recklessly
put forth, and eager to have their say they
slash the types together and give to their
readers the product. We were reminded
of this style of journalism, Sunday morn
ing, on reading terrible slashing leader in
the Wig and Register, under the caption,
1.-THE Downfall of Radicalisnl.n
Men are sometimes held accountable for
the measure of ability and authority their
position presumes them to possess, and
not for what as matter of fact they really
have. We prefer to treat the article re-
ferred to upon this basis. In speaking of
the record of the Republican party, our
contemporary says:
This party has laid not only onerous and un-
just taxes on the people, too high and iniquitous
to be borne, but prominent and leading men of
the party have become totally deprayed and
that it is composed of tyrants and usurpers.
Contrary to- and in open and palpable violation
of the Constitution of the United States, which
they were sworn to support they have usurped
the rights and privileges of the different States,
and exercised ever them despotic power and
tyranny that is unexampled in the history of
the world.
They have sent imbeeile and corrupt carpet
baggers, spectators and adventures to rule
over-to rob and plumber them. They have
disfranchised the intelligent white and enfran-
chised the ignorant negro to govern them.
They usurped authority and sent the army of
the United States Government to control cleo
tons and destroy the freedom of the ballot-box.
Readers long accustomed to such indis-
criminate, sweeping AMI false charges, in
time really persuade themselves that some
such expressions exist. We have read
them before. Theya in this case worthy
of attention only because of the circum-
stances under which they are put forth.
Now what do men mean by talking of
expressions "unexampled in the history of
the world" as heaped upon the people of
the South? Have they never read page
of history. or do they presume upon the
ignorance or prejudices of the community
which they thus address? Does the editor
of the Wig appreciate the force and sig
nificance of such words? What does h
mean by saying that the Radical party ie
composed of tyrants and usurpers," and
has exercised over the States ga despotic
power and tyranny unexampled in
the. history of the world ?n Does he not
realize that such language, coming from
men of his record, is base ingratitude?
Who talks thus about the tyranny and
despotic power of a government whose
clenaercy and literally towards the con-
spirators and promoters of the late war we
say has been unexampled in the history
Of the world?n Men who were deprived
of their property, personal liberty or life
for their crimes? No! Men whose very
existence and unabridged right to talk
thus ungratefully and falsely, is the most
striking refutation of their charges. Look
back at the anguish and grief endured by
millions OF unoffending citizens through
four years of terrible war, contemplate the
blood OF innocent patriots and the vast
treasure of great and good government