Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-11-02
Can We Afford IL!

This is the last issue of the WING
AND TRIBUNE before the day of
election-next Tuesday-and in a
calm and dispassionate manner, we
desire to say few words in-regard
to the election for a member of Con-
gress for the State at large. 1t is
well known to all who read this pa
per, that it is, and has been, the
warm, unshrinking friend of Gen.
3. +. Cheatham for that position;
and the firm and unwaVeriDg OppO-
nent of Andrew johnson, for the
same position. All our feeling, as
well as our best and most deliber-
ate judgement have moved us to
this course. Gen. Cheatham has
been personally and intimately
known to the writer of this for
moro than a quarter of a century,
and we know him to be man Of
rare good s ense, one of the kindest
and most estimable gentlemen in
private life, and aman who has been
modest, moderate, but firm and re-
liable a all times and under ali cir
cumstances, in his political views
BE is the nominee of his party, by
the largest Convention but one, ev-
err assembled in the State, and il
elected to Congress we honestly be-
lieYe, viii be able to &C complish as
much for the material prosperity of
Tennessee, as any man we could
send there. That he is not man of
transcendant abilities, on the stump,
is readily conceded; and fortunately
for the people the demagogues art
of cajoling the people by public
harangues, is about played out"
The press is the mighty lever which
is henceforth to disseminate public
intelligence upon public as well as
commercial matters
The protested democratic OppO-
nent of Gen. Cheatham is Hon. An
drew johnson. lie is a man of well
known public character, having,
within the last forty years, spent in
public life, filed every Office, from
Alderman in the village of Green
vile, to President of the United
States, with at least fair ability, and
we are not going to insult the intel
| ligence of our readers, or stultify
ourself by attempting to detract
from his ability. We say it boldly,
because it is true, that he has been
a cold, calculating, selfish seeker of
his own glory, utterly untrue and
iAsincere in his professions, and not
to be relied upon in an emergency.
We are no less astonished than
mortified when we look over the
class of men who are supporting
him. We cannot deny that. as good
men as the State contains, are his
friends and supporters. This is no
| doubt as true of other localities, as
we know it to be here in Jackson
and Madison county. We do not
question their devotion to what
they believe To be the best interests
of the State and the country; but
we were never more fully persua-
ded of any thing in our life, than
we are that they are mistaken in
their views in regard to the man,
and of his ability to accomplish
good for his people.
We have devoted more than usual
space for some weeks past to argu-
ments and reasons why Mr.. John
son should not be elected to Con-
gress. We sum up the whole argu-
ment in this one sentence. We hon
estly believe that Cheatham will be
able to accomplish much more for
the good of the State than johnson,
and so believing, we have given
him cordial and hearty support,
and will continue to do so until the
election is over.
When the election is over, let who
will be elected, we do not expect to
devote so much space to politics or
pulitical subjects. If Cheatham is
elected we shall rejoice, because we
bellows it will be for good; II John
son, we shall acquiesce with the
best grace we may; but if Maynard
and we think this latter as proba-
BILE as either of the others-we shall
lament the folly which has produced
such result, but shall feel a consci-
GUS and serene satisfaction that we
in no manner contributed to so UNI
toward a result.
Now, what we started out to ask,
is, can the liberal, conservative
masses of Tennessee afford to let
their prejudices and their passions
lead them to endanger the result,
by persistent support of what we
believe, from the lights before US,
to be the weakest man in the race,
against Gen. Cheatham, and there
by endanger the result, or render
the election of Maynard a certain
/ tv? Can we afford il?