Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-10-30
Baxter Asks Him TO Think OF Haun, Henche,
and Fry
tie Tells About 1861 and Thornburgh an,
Pickens.


Col. John Baxter, of this city volunteered to
meet him. The speaking began about i03
o'clock at the Court House, which was we'll
filed.
Gov. Harris made cunning Speech which,
though liberal on its face and intended to be so
considered, was full of Objectionable sentiments
and worked up the Cheathamites to white
heat. He was terribly severe on johnson SEN
timents. The first part of his speech was de-
voted to an exhortation to stand by the organi-
cation and an explanation of its utility.
He spoke substantially as follows
do not arraign johnson for being Union
man. desire 10 contest his consistency as a
Democrat and statesman, in order to decide
his claims upon us. johnson says Cheathsm
can not conseentiously ask for an election, be-
cause he was rebel. This opens the question
and means that no rebel can hold office. This
is infamous and he makes it an issue that we
have to meet.
johnson says it was politicians war and
poor mans fight. This is n OF true and is an i'm
putation upon the manhood and intelligence of
Tennessee a thousand Johnsons and lsham
q. HAIRLESS could not lead the people of Ten
nessee by the nose.
can not endorse his sentiment.that the dead
rebel soldier sleeps in ignominious grave.
Whether Confederate or Union the dead soldier
sleeps in patriots and an honorable mans
grave.
JOHNSON AND MRS. sURRATT
The constitution of the United States is John
sons standard, by which he measures himself
q provides that no person guilty of capital
otfense shall be held to answer such Il charge
without the presentment of a Grand Jury, and
that they shall enjoy speedy and public trial
by an impartial jury, Nine soldiers who new
or read law book tried Mrs. Surratt The re-
cord of their finding was presented to President
johnson on the 9TH of July, 1863 On the 9Th
be approved the finding and signed her warrant
Of DEATH She was to be hung on the 18th, but
one short day given to prepare for death. On
tue It'll Judge Wylie issued writ of habeas
corpus. Gen Hancock took this writ to johnson
for his orders He suspended that writ and
ordered Hancock to hang her.
He REVIEWS BRIG. GEN. JOHNSON.
As military Governor, "a nondescript office,
unknown to our constitution johnson issued
order imprisoning Confederate Ministers of
the Gospel, of Nashville with rogues and
thieves in the penitentiary.
At the same time johnson assessed the cti-
zens of Nashville with about 100000 and col
lected it by Corporal Shocks and his military
guards.
After the war thousands of white citizens
were DISTINGUISHED, and johnson inaugurated
that policy.
Frank Cheatham went in 1916 to defend the
honor of his State, in Mexico, and he did it
well: Again,in 1861, when his State called him,
ne went into the field to defend her honor. He
was q gallant soldier, and you ought to vote fo-
him. He can talk as good as Washington, or
he can beat Grant; he accepts the situation and
the results of the war fully and in good faith.
Both sides should uphold their organization
and vote the straight ticket"
HE FEARS MAYNARD's ELECTION.
The race is between Chcatham and Magma ard
johnson may get jority of the . Mon Dem
ocrats in East Tennessee. Cheatham will beat
johnson in West and Middle Tennessee 80 600
am afraid Maynard will get 1900, hope
not but l fear he will. There will be about
al { nd Il oh
divide the Democratic vote each will get about
G2,50O, and if Maynard gets 5000 he will be
elected by 1900. But if Cheatham beats
johnson only 10000, it will give him Y, 800, and
johnson 81, 5OO-stili electng Maynard by 2, 500
votes. So you see that if Cheatham is elected
he must beat johnson about 10000. That will
give MIN about 1900 or a majority Of only
1900. From these figures you will see there is
great danger of Maynard's election.
He closed with AN appeal TO stand by the
Organization and fulsome eulogy of
Cheatham which consisted in glowing descrip-
ton Of his services in the rebellion.
BAXTER TAKES HARRIS BACK TO 1861
In beginning his reply, Mr. Baxter said he
did not appear as Mr. Johnson's champion or
at his request. He came to answer Harris as a
citizen and spoke only for himself No one
else was responsible for his sentiments.
He said Harris had severely arraigned Jonn-
son for the hanging of Mrs. Surratt. That was
an act committed in time of intense public ex-
element. The loyal people were maddened
ana demanded IL. he nau always Thought IL
wrong but JohnsOns offence had in palliation
many circumstances, and he did it in defence OF
the Nations life But who arraigns johnson
for it Isham G. Harris By what right
Baxter then eloquently refererd to the situation
in Tennessee in 1861 Harris, as Governor, then
was sworn to support the State and Federal
Constitution. But he violated it not only in the
particular charged upon johnson, but in toto.
Harris says neither he nor johnson could lead
the people by the nose. les, and Harris knew
that in 1861 SO he organized an army and drore
them. How did he do it ? In that year We voted
81 600 against separation. Harris then con
vened his Legislature to force US out. lie made
a military treaty with the Confederacy and
transferred Tennessee to it, Then he armed p,
coo soldiers, diSaraed the people and then again
submitted the secession question 20 US With
his soldiers he droUe us into rebellion
In 1861 / spoke here with Harris. / advised
you against secessM, he urged you 10 II. An
drew johnson advised you against II and If you
had obeyed him you would be better oil.
A THUNDER CLAP FOR HARRIS.
But if johnson, in 1865, in the midst Of wal
excitement allowed five persons TO be executed
after trial and violated the Constitution in the
respect charged, how much greater is Harris
crime for assaSsinating the Constitution of hi
State in 1861, in the manner above mentioned
This man has uttered here to-day the very SEN
tments that plunged us into war and you have
applauded them. Now, | want 10 talk plainly q
you. You are his friends and want TO give
you some wholesome advice. lie led you intC
war and ruin in 1861 and will you follow hin
again? His advice now is in the same direction
In lsGl the Lick Greek bridge was burned or
the East Tennessee, and Virginia Railroad. Sey
oral citizens were CHARGED with doing il. HauT