Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-09-04
OPPOSITION TO THE RING.

1t is now a conceded fact that General
Frank Cheatham is not the choice of every
body for Congress, Notwithstanding he is
the regular nominee of the Democratic
State Convention. Why is it that he meets
with so much opposition ? We venture to
say that it Is not because he Is personally
unpopular, nor does it grow solely out of
the fact that he was high official in the
rebel army. On the contrary, with those
who know him, he is decidedly popular,
and since the war he has demeaned him
self as a quiet, peaceable, good citizen, OPP
posing, as we learn, the kuklux khan and
all similar organizations of his party.
Nor is Andy Johnson's personal popu-
larity what makes thousands so enthusi-
astic for him. His ability and strength as
politician are universally recognized, but
there are men throwing up their hats and
hLrrahing for him who hate him as Sa-
tan is said to hate holy water. These we
believe to be undeniable facts.
Then why this opposition? We believe
it is the expression of the masses, who are
sick and tired of the present incompetent,
imbecle, and corrupt State administration,
Gov. Browns administration came into
power with profuse promises which have
never been kept. The people expected
something from him, but have received
nothing except additional burdens and
greater complications of our financial sys-
TEN. 1t has been an administration of
rings and cliques, which the Governor,
either for want of capacity or virtue, has
Il Il lsnrz q foAl
rings,and cliques have nominated him for
reelection. The same rings control the DEM
ocratic party in Tennessee, and have nomi-
mated General Cheatham. This is the Sc
cret of the opposition to him. The people
have determined that they will no longer
submit to the domination of few men
who are controlled by their own selfish in
terest and ambition. They will rise in
their might and throw off the yoke of
their hard and corrupt task-masters.
We do not mean to say that all who sup
port Mr.. johnson are doing so from these
motives. There are those who belong to
the ring, who, when they saw what was
coming, did not have the courage to stand
| by their accomplices in crime and corrup-
| ton, but disregarded the idea of g honor
among thieves " and deserted their late
| associates. They did not do this, however,
| until it was too late to escape the just in
| dignation of an outraged public. They
are known, and will be recognized in the
future and placed where they justly be-
| long.
| 1t is to the interest of the State now,
that the feeling against the ring, which
manifests itself in the rejection of Cheat
ham, should find an expression in another
candidate for Governor. Let any good
man, who will make an active and vigor-
Gus canvass against the iniquities of the
present administration in Tennessee. be-
come candidate for Governor against
Brown, and he will be enthusiastically
supported by thousands, representing all
shades in politics. No man, who honestly
opposes Cheatham because he is the repre-
sentative of a ring, can conscientiously
support Brown, who is the candidate OF
the same ring for Governor. Those who
are willing to support Brown but who re-
fuse to support Cheatham, must either ex-
pect favor and patronage from the former,
or else fear the blows and influence of the
latter. They are certainly not governed
by any principle at stake in the contest be-
tween them.