Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-07-27
Ths Conrres.ionnI cnnrnss.

the people Of this county. AS a mem
Der Of the memorable Legislature Of
1865, he gained just distinction as the
unwavcring leader of small but de-
termined conservative minority. lie
rcsorted TO every means known to the
parliamentarian to defeat the infamous
law finally adopted by that
body. To such extremes did he carry
his struggle in behalf of the right of
ballot, that he, in connection with
Col. Brandon, of Stewart, induced the
members to resign, thus
leaving the legislature without quo
rum. This measure, for time,
checked the proposed legislation. A
special election was ordered to eli the
vacancies thus created. All of the
boiling members were reelected, but
the legislature refused to admit them
but received their radical opponents,
and thus quorum was again secured
and the odious franchise law Of 1866
adopted
In 1866 Mr.. Thomas was the candi-
date of Democratic party Of this dis
trict for Congress against Arnell. The
canvass made by him was memorable
for it was made at the hazard of his
life. The people of GAINESVILLE will,
perhaps, remember the day MI. Thorn
as spoke in this city, when a raging
mob Of negroes that filled the court
house gave small hope for successful
issue to the campaign in this county.
The canvass was, however, prosecuted
with great vigor, and Mr.. Thomas re-
ceived large majority of the vote of
the district.
Our readers will remember the pro-
tracted contest made by Mr., Thomas
before Congress for his seat, and its
issue. Mr.. Thomas was,
in 1869, chosen to the Senate of the
State, and by the Senate was made its
presiding officer. During the year
1870, it will be remembered, Stokes,
who had been defeated by Scnter, in
connection with Maynard and Brown
low made a desperate effort to have
Tennessee reconstructed, as was done
in the case of Georgia. Memorials
were prepared representing a state of
affairs in Tennessee horrible to con-
ceive of. Washington was crowded
with delegations of negroes, demand
ing the reconstruction of the State
that they might receive
protection.
A bill was prepared ly Maynard,
and was pending in the reconstruction
committee. Alarm prevailed through
out the State, now felt confident of the
issue. All trcmbled for the future OF
Tennessee. But Dorsey Thomas was
on guard! By day and by night he
laborcd with the individual members
of the reconstruction committee.
Counter proof was prepared by him
representing the true condition of
the State. Gov. Sentcr was suspected,
but even if true his condition was such
that he could give no assistance. AZ
ter contest of weeks and q suspense
that was fearful, the bill was defeated
in the committee and Tennessee was
safe. TO Dorsey Thomas, more than
to all other men, we sincerely believe
we are indebted for this happy issue.
We have no quarrel to make with
Mr.. Atkins'-he is pleasant, agree
able grentleman, and is a ready speak.
or. During the greater part of the
war he filled snug seat in the G. s
Congrcss-the position was comforta.
BILE, to say the least, and was ample
compensation for services rendered
But we do feel that justice demands
that Mr.. Thomas shall be sont to fiji
a scat in the Congress that once before
rejected him, we do feel that if we are
not recrcant to obligations-that VIZ
not only owe it to ourselves to be re
vengcd, but to Mr.. Thomas as the jus
reward of faithful scrv;cos. W.
listened attentively to the addresses
of the two gentlemen at the Court
house, on the 18th. We freely ADM
that Mr.. Atkins is the better speaker
But this is not strange; the one hai
been in politics nearly all his life, tn,
other is plain, hard working farmer
But we need more workers. Fol
hard, solid, substantial qualities, Mr.
Thomas is the better man. Both ia
vorcd party organization, but Mr.. At
kins in undertaking to declare ever,
man outside of the party who refused
TO submit to conventions and part!
machinery his claims for Office, was
little indscrcat in view Of the warn
canvass over the office of Sheriff nov
going on in this county. In the mail
we agree with the necessity for part.
organization-but arc hardly willing
to take so broad a position as that as
Sumcd by Mr.. Atkins. We think il
this matter the friends Of Mr.. Beau
mont will Justly feel that he was step
ing outside his own canvass, w
have before placed the name of MI
Thomas at the head of our column
the speaking of Thursday announce
| that we have made the hcttcr choir,