Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-02-21
MANLY, sTINGlNG REBUKE.
what a ConservRsfve Unfon man Has
10 Learned of Tennessee Democracy.

Hon. W.rR. Sewer, of Jonesboro', re-
Gently resigned his seat in the Tennessee
State Senate. lie has written an address,
giving his reasons for resigning. 1t con-
tains lesson for every Conservative
Union man in East Tennessee, and we
know they will profit by it.
After stating that he accepted the posi-
ton against his personal wishes, and sole
ly from sense of duty, he proceeds:
Preliminary to q statement OF the rea-
sons which compelled me to resign my
seat in the Senate, allow me to direct your
attention to some facts.mDuring the war |
was known, by all my acquaintances, to
be decided friend to the Federal Govern
ment. A discussion of the reasons which
not Necessary, nor indeed, relevant to the
subject Of this communication. IL was,
however, in accordance with long cher
| ished sentiments calmly and deliberately
taken. The same right which had cxer-
cised to decide respecting the merits Of
the questions Involved IN that contest, was
accorded to all others nor did allow any
one differing with me, in regard to those
matters, to suffer disparagement in my es-
! TEEN or confidence, because of such, differ
ence. We had often entertained conf let
! ing views and opinions concerning tn
| great political issues which marked th
history of parties for twenty years previous
to the war; yet never suffered any con-
trariety or antagonism of principles or po-
sitions to separateslne from those loved.
The questions Involved in the struggle
were such as could only be settled by the
arbitration of arms; and the "cdsus 6Cllpi
being of purely political character, there
was not occasion or justification, i'm my
mind for making it n matter of personal
I IL 4.
The soldier who voluntarily took his life
| in his hand,
80 TN war $ niagnifcently stern Orray''
and faced the lannon's whether
in the lines Of the Federal or Confederate
forces, I regarded as terribly in earnest, "
WHY HE WAS DEFEATED FOR SPEAKER.
After my election to the Senate / was
designated, by a portion of the public
press, as q suitable candidate for the Speak
ership I never, fellow-citizens, vainly
imagined that in my person was found
that happy combination of gifts and
graces which qualified me in any pre-emi-
nent degree for that honorable and re-
sponsble position. But the Radical press
had declared-and reiterated the declara-
ton thousand times-that the Rebel elc-
ment when once in power would utterly
ignore and repudiate Conservative Unior
a
organization. | regarded my position a
rather fortunate, inasmuch as it furnished
the opportunity of putting to practical test
and refutation the truth of the assertion
] stood, if my recollection serves me, but
for single ballot and, anxious to save
the party from an imputation so damag
ing to aprOfessodly conservative organi
zation, | Withdrew and nominated Col
Warren, of McNairy-a gentleman, comics
sedly, the best qualified member of the
body for the position intelligent, atfable,
of pure character and of Legislative expe
rience. In view of this fact, and in con
sideration of the additional fact that il
this election alone had the conservative
Union members signified desire or dis
position to share in the distribution Of Of
fees, / thought, and still think, he shoult
have been elected Speaker of the Senate
But the antecedents and principles of Col
Warren were discovered to be alike dis
tasteful-we were lacking in that sort o
record which commends one to the grace
3 of the majority--or, to use the expressly,
and elegant language of n distinguished
Senator, we Were found with spots OIL
our back The matter had beef
, predetermined and arranged, a
was evidenced by the fact that Genera
Vaughn pulled his manuscript Tafldres
from his pocket and read it, after he haC
been conducted to the chair As q person
al contest the affair is destitute of interes
or importance; but as a political demon
stration, the only light in which it car
, properly be regarded, 10 Is JtfU Of signifcdncc
; Had then been, as / subsequently be
, came, better acquainted with the policy
the animus and programme-of the party
| should not have suffered my name L
stand even for a single ballot-(Nay
, should have felt compelled to decline the
honor had it been rendered; for, as viii
be observed from the subjoined roster,
the presence Of Mr.. Warren, Mr.. Hughes
myself or any one of like antecedents, in
the Speakers Chair, would have seriously
disturbed the harmony of the politica
consolidation otherwise so perfect):
STATE OFFICERS WHO WORE THE GRAY
, The Governor full bench consisting
of six Judges OF the Supreme Court*; At
, torney General and Reporter Secretary o
> State !; Treasurer; Comptroller; Superin
ltendent Insane Hospital Superintendent
Penitentiary = ,Superintendent Capital
! Public Printersf; Speaker of the House
, Speaker of theSenate Clerk of the House
Clerk of the Senate; DOorkeeper of TIN
House DoOrkeeper of the Senate, ant
even the colored porters, all of one faitl
and order all, and particularly the las
mentioned functionaries, wool dyed.
These remarks are not made in derogatioI
+, of the gentlemen filling the offices desig
: mated for many of them are my esteeme'
friends and are faithful and efficient Off