davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
THE PEOPLE DO THEIR OWN THINKING.

We can hardly take up a Democratic
paper, the columns of which are not en-
livened with the reported disaffection of
some Republican leader They publish
the name Of one of these " soreheads" and
again, after they think the matter has been
forgotten by their readers, they re-publish
it with flaming sensational head lines,
making il fresh conversion each time,
and then the faithful gather around this
new convert, shake hands ani rejoice to-
gether with Exceeding great joy" But
these Democratic politicians seem to mis-
apprehend the character of the Re-
publican masses. They seem to
forget that Republicans are gener-
ally a reading and thinking people.
They seem to forget that the common peo-
pie are in the habit of forming their own
calculations, and that they do not wear the
collar Of Mr.. Greeley, Mr.. Sumner, Mr..
SchurZ, Mr., Trumbull or Mr. anybody else.
Town cliques may get up torchlight pro-
cessions, build bonfires, and with the aid
of enthusiastic boys get up big noise, and
so-called Liberal Republicans" may eX-
patiate on fancied corruption in the civil
service to their hearts content but when
election day comes, the people go to the
ballot box and vote their sentiments,
having arrived at their own conclusions
dlieT mature uellDeraIlOn, ana without
any reference to what has been said by So
called leaders. This is what the people of
this country do, and they will continue to
do so. Changes in politicians do not effect
changes in the people. Our distinguished
Senator, Gov. Brownlow, and our able and
incompatible Representative in Congress-
Mr. Maynard, enjoy the esteem and con-
fidence of East Tennessee Republicans in
the very highest degree, but if they should
come out for Greeley, (Which is about as
unlikely as that the sun will stand still in
the heavens,) they could not control five
hundred votes in all East Tennessee, for
the simple reason that East Tennesseeans
do their own thinking and come to honest
conclusions in their own way.
Hence all this rejoicing over the defec-
ton of former Republican leaders is pre-
mature and without any substantial foun-
dalton. Gen. Grants strength lies with
the people. He has never been the favor
lite of politicians. The result in Novem-
Der will be that he will receive the votes,
regardless of what politicians may do or
say, If these politicians would only learn
this, it would save them of a great deal of
hard labor, for which they will never be
compensated,
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
THE SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION

The local elections in Shelby county last
week, were contested by the partisan De-
mocracy of that county, with the spirit of
desperation and proscriptiveness which
has always marked the leaders of
the party in that locality. Col. Curry, who
was fairly elected Sheriff of the county in
1870, but who was kept out of office until
decision of the Supreme Court gave him
his rights, is Republican. He is gentle
man of superior qualifications, and of a
high character. No one of his bitter and
unrelcnting enemies dared to impugn Ell
ther his official or his private character.
But the spirit of bitter partisanism,
which is blind to merit and worth, and
which turns deaf ear to the voice of rea-
son, was brought into requisition for his
defeat By species of fraud which rem
ders the ballot box a mockery, he was de-
feated. The AUaIdnche seems to be dis
gusted with the canvass and alludes to it
as follows:
But while we are on this subject we may say
few other things to the public. Curry was
not defeated alone by these figures at least four
hundred colored men were delayed and pre-
vented from voting, and above all, Mr.. Mclean
sold himself for one thousand dollars, Tuesday
night preceding the election, to Powell, Wood
ward and Doyle, to work in their interest Take
it all in all, it was the most reckless and des-
perate canvass ever made in the name of patri-
otsm for the spoils of Office There was not
candidate who did not spend his thousands of
dollars votes were bought and rebought and
the purity Of the ballot box and the right of
suffrage were minor things.
The shameful legislation of the las
Democratic Assembly has at last aroused
the people of East Tennessee and the force
of their Indignation is to be witnessed in
the results Of the late elections. We have
repeatedly noticed some of these cases of
indicative legislation. One of the most
outrageous instances was that in the inter-
est OF the ring of newspapers sued by Bax-
ter for libel. Never in any litigation was
a more Ubiquitous and unjust act passed,
than the one striking down his suits. To
favor press convicted of stealing the peo-
pies taxes, the Legislature made itself
party to this private legislation by going
into the courts of justice and interfering
with suits being prosecuted in the usual
manner. The law thus passed is simply
Infamous. Not respectable lawyer in the
State will defend it. The men who voted
for it are ashamed of their votes to-day
1t was a most disgraceful piece of legisla-
ton and shows the meanness and littleness
of Tennessee Democracy.
Col. Thornburgh in his able speech at
cambridge Last Monday, made telling ex-
pose OF this law and az he pictured it the
people pronounced it most outrageous and
spiteful. This whole record of corrupt
and pro6criptive legislature will be fully
presented to the people before the Novem-
Der election.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
NORTH CAROLINA.

The glorious victory in the old North
State is all the more glorious because
wrung from desperate foe.
The last party contest in the State was
in 1870, when the Democracy carried it by
4,995 majority on the State ticket, electing
five out of seven Congressman, and leg
islature with A Democratic majority. The
Republicans last Thursday carried the
State by over a thousand, a gain of over
five thousand, elect three Congressman, a
gain of one, and choose a legislature, prob
ably Republican, a large gain, certainly.
This is victory and glory enough for one
State
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
ABsRNTERIsM.

Some Ex-senator Summers gravest charg-
es against the President is that like most
other men in active, responsible positions,
he takes his summer vacations. He is guilty
of what the Senator styles absenteeism.
The New York Times has carefully pre-
pared from authentic sources a statement
of the "absonteeism y of Washington, JEFF
fersGn and Adams 1t appears from their
records that they were absent from, the scat
of government more than Grant is, and alb
sent at places where their cabinet officers
were compelled to delay public business for
weeks to communicate with them.
One instance of striking char
acter is given. Washington pre-
pared his Proclamation against the
whiskey insurgents of western Pennsylva-
MIA, at Mount Vernon. 1t took three days
to send it by mail to Jefferson his Secreta-
ry of State, who was rusticating at Month
cello and three days to get back. In 1896,
he was absent from Philadelphia from
June 18th to August q, during which time
the Spanish Minister had to travel to
Mount Vernon to present his credentials.
What howl would now be raised if Grant
should thus embarrass public business and
thus neglect foreign Ministers?
But in the case of John Adams this
crimen of absenteeismn was even worse
than Washington. He spent most all of
his time when Congress was not in session
at Quincy. At one time one of
his friends wrote him that "public
sentiment is very much against your be-
ing so much away from the seat of govern
ment." His answer was that he had rea-
son to believe the sentim ent referred to sis
chiefly in Philadelphia and Georgetown.
The people elected me to administer the
government, it is true, and do administer
it here at Quincy as really as I could do
at IhiLddeIDhid.n
Jefferson, while Secretary of State I'M
der Washington, and while President, was
often absent protractedly at Monticello. In
all the cases it should be remembered the
absentees were not in prompt communica-
ton with the seat of government. They
had no telegraph they had not even daily
mail. Now the President is in instant
communication with Washington and
could at a call be there in six hours.
The only material question in this mat
ter, and the only one in which the people
are interested, is this are the public inter-
ests neglected? Do the people suffer by
this absenteeism AS it is very certain
they do not, they have no objection to the
President enjoying a respite from the
many cares and anXieties of his position.
They know that while absent from Wash
ington he mingles with the people, travels
about and by observation makes himself
familiar with their wants. So far from
this absenteeism being an objection, it is,
so far as INDUCED in by Gen. Grant, a
merit. 1t gives him necessary relaxation
and an opportunity to know the condition
of the people he could never enjoy by SIM
ply meeting the classes whose selfish in
terest and ambition make them almost the
exclusive visitors at the White House.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON has writ
ten long letter in reply to Summers. 1t
is exhaustive, sensible and will have a
great influence for the truths it contains.
In speaking of Garrison, the New York
Post says:
Mr.. Garrison is, of all men in the country,
best fitted to give advice to the negroes Al
though with characteristic modesty he does not
mention it in his letter, he was already a mar
tyr to the anti-slavery cause long before Mr.
Sumner made up his mind to join it actively
BE has also shown, since the close of the war q
much more true friendship to the negro than
Mr.. Sumner he clearly saw that the time for
anti-slavery agitation ended with the abolition
of slavery, and has since that time devoted him
self to fostering a spirit of self-dependence and
love of education among the negroes, instead
of endeavoring to keep alive their class animos-
tiles by class legislation. 1t is only Mr.. Garri-
sons dislike of blatant selflaudation which pre-
vents him from justly claiming more than halfof
Mr.. Summers laurels as his own.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

FROM Indiana the news is most cheer
ing. Senator Wilson had the finest recep-
ton ever extended to public man in In
dianapolis, last Monday night. Over 90
600 attended the night meeting at the
Wigwam. Over 5000 uniformed Grant
tanners in torch-light! procession three
miles long escorted the next Vice Presi-
dent to the speaking. OF Indiana the
Cincinnati Gazette says:
The camp fires are burning brightly all over
this State, and the Republicans are confident of
a complete victory in October.
Senator Morton says he has never witnessed
such meetings enthusiasm as has greeted him
everywhere in Northern Indiana last week.
Senator Wilson says if he ever entertained q
doubt as to how Indiana would vote this fall
they have been dispelled by the enthusiasm and
overwhelming demonstrations he has witnessed
since he came into tho State.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

The Union ana american is worried
over our indictment against the John c.
Brown administration. 1t answers our
charges by assailidg one of the editors of
the CHRONICLE as a 'carpet-bagger" This
may be satisfactory answer in its estima-
ton TO grave charges which every intelli-
gent man knows to be true. IL may be an
offence in Nashville to be Northern man
and we understand that it is under the
sentiment fostered by such men as Gov
Brown and John G. Burch, but it is not
30 in East Tennessee. 1t is that mean.
contemplate spirit that must be over
thrown before Tennessee will ever prosper.
1t is that mean. proscriptive, sectional
spirit that the Union and american encour-
ages that curses Tennessee and the good
people Of the State are about tired of ii.
They have had enough of II and propose to
show 1t next November.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
OUR SENTIMENTS.

b" More eloquent and impressive than
"any words of ours are the simple details
"of the election in North Carolina as re-
"ported in our Geographic columns. A
"more glorious and significant popular
"victory has not been recorded in our
" modern political annals.
" All honor and praise to the people of
4" the gallant old North te."-PreSs
and Herald, Aug,lst 3rd.
Them's the sentiments of the little or
gan" What does the big organ think of
them this morning, Ell?
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
WHAT WOULD HE DO ABOUT IT.

The country was plunged into four
years bloody war in 1861, because of tim
id, vacillating unworthy President. In
view of the terrible experiences of those
dreadful years, in remembrance of the
precious blood and treasure sacrificed by
patriotic people, it behooves us to think
calmly and seriously of the qualifications
of the aspirants for Presidential honors.
1t Is well known that in 1901, Horace y
Greeley was all avowed secessionist, BE .
as fully recognized anu defended theright %
secession as did JEFF Davis or Breckenridge.
These are facts well known to intelligent
voters. To place our statement beyond dis.
pute we quote the following from Mr., Gree.
ley's pen:
On the Goth of November, 1860, in the BE-
Tribune Mr.. Greeley said, 'If the Cotton
" States unitedly and earnestly wish to-
" withdraw peacefully from the Union, we
" think they should be dHotOed to do so.
" Any attempt to compel them by force to.
" remain ecoutd be contrary to the princi-.
" pies eaunciated in the immortal Declar
" alton of Independence.
On the 23rd of February, 1861, five days
after the Inauguration of JEFF Davis, as
President of the Confederacy, Greeley said,
If the Slave States, the Cotton States or
" the Gulf States only choose to form air
" independent nation, they have a clear
moral right TO do sou
Now, if he is thus fully committed to the.
right of secession, what would prevent
him, if elected President, from al
lowing the South to peaceaby
secede if any State or number
of States chose to try it. Civil war would
not be necessary to accomplish secession if
Greeley were President, for he is fully
committed to the doctrine of peaceable Sc
cession. He has fully recognized the right
of State to secede whenever its people
choose to establish separate government.
Many men dispose of this danger by say
ing 'the South has had enough of war
the Southern people don't want to bring
on another war" But they would
not find it necessary to go to aOor
if Greeley were President. Are there not
Southern people enough welded to the
dream of separate confederacy to attempt
its establishment, if they thought it could
be brought about by pedcea6Le means? If
all that was needed to take Georgia out of
the Union was a vote of the majority of
its people, could it not be brought about?
The danger in Greeley's election to the
Presidency would be, therefore, not in an
other war, but in a peaceable secession.
If Greeley would remain true to his con-
victions, he could not, as President, OPP
pose by force an attempt of State or of
States to establish a separate Government.
Do the American people care for any more
experiments or trifiing with firebrands in
this direction?
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
OREGON
OREGON.
CONNECTICUT.
RH DE ISL ND.
NEW HA MP s H l r Z.
ORTIZ CA ROLIN A.

THE Kentucky election, like all others
held this year, show Republican gains.
The Courier-JourndI tries to explain away
the Greeley defeat in Louisville, but not
much to the satisfaction of the Cincinnati
Commercial Greeley which says in an
swer:
Still We think there are appearances in some
there are some obstinate old Democrats in that
State, who are not as fond of political crow
fessting as they are of drinking old crow whis-
ky. There is a symptom of q stay-at-home par
ty in the Conservative and sovereign State Of
Kentucky
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

The John G. Brown Democracy, con-
scious of the many gross outrages of his
administration, are dreadfully anxious lest
the people Of Tennessee rise in their might
to hurl him from power. His administra-
ton has been great drawback to the ma
terial interests of the State. Can not the
people find some more worthy citizen
more capable and unselfish to administer
its affairs? Can Tennessee not be carried
out Of the deep partisan rut in which its
affairs have been administered for the past
two years?
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
JUST as YOU SAY, NEIGHsoR.

GAS goes North Carolina in this contest
" so goes the Union in November, said
Henry Wilson in his North Carolina
speeches. So Henry Wilson no doubt
" thinks now. So intelligent people every
aChere think. North Carolina has gone
"a and the Union will go in due time
Press and Herald, August 4th.
This is rather cold comfort the Greeley
organ is giving its deluded crew. We sup
pose, of course, it will now give up the
ghost. GAS goes North Carolina so goes
the Union" Well, just as you say, neigh
Dor. VIII take your word for it, as you are
one Of the " intelligent " referred to.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

THE election in Louisville, Kentucky,
last Monday, resulted in the defeat of the
regular Democratic ticket by over fUe
thousand majority. The opposition tick
supported by the solid Republican vote.
The regular ticket was supported by the
Courier Journal and the Ledger. Both
these papers urged, day after day, that the
Greeley Democrats should rally to the reg
ular ticket, as it would be regarded test
of Greeley's strength. Are they satisfied
with the result?
Lexington, the home of Beck, elects a
Republican sheriff, gain of $50 on Har-
lan's last vote.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
DELEGATES FOR THE STATE CONVENTION.

An important State Convention of the
Republicans of Tennessee will meet at
Nashville on the 4th day of next Septem-
Der. We trust good men will be selected
as the Convention will have important
business to transact. Let county conven-
lions be held in every county as soon as
practicable.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

THE improvements in the Tennessee
river are being pushed forward as rapidly
as possible. Maj. Mcfarland, of the Corps
of Engineers in charge of the work, is
now arranging for the work on Colbert
shoals. After completing this the Muscle
shoals will be next taken in hand. Then
the channel of the upper Tennessee will
be improved. On this subject Florence,
(Ala.) paper says:
We expect within the next five years to.
make the trip by steamboat from Paducah to
Knoxville What grand river the Tennessee,
will be when navigation is unobstructed from
its mouth at Paducah Kentucky, to its head wa
tiers above Knoxville. More than 700 miles of
river flowing through the rich and fertile val
leys of East Tennessee and North Alabama,
washing the base of the mountains of coal and
iron, and gliding beneath magnificent blu is
and picturesque scenery, the most beautiful of
all the land, which, here and there rise is SOL
emn grandeur and inviting loveliness all along
its cOurse.b
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
WEEKLY SUMMARY OF NEWS.
HOME.

Mexican robbers are committing depreda-
tons on the Texas frontier.....G erritt Smiths
letter recommending the pardon of tho Albany
kuklux will not be acted on at present.. The
Republicans carried North Carolina by over
1920 majority. made a speech to a
party of serenaders in Washington last Friday
night. Hon. Joseph Mayo, of Richmond, Va,
is dead. The canvass in Maine is very active
1.-The French band has sailed for Europe
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

The systematic Drag of the Greeley
Thus, recently the New York Tribune in
brag on New York, giving figures to
show Greeley would carry it, said he would
carry Delhi by one thousand majority. A
paper published in the same county shows
the vote of the place never exceeded TAB, of
which 48S were for Grant. So it turns out
in hundreds of cases. The Greeley can vass
is on paper entirely. When it comes to
voting it doesn't pan out worth q cent.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
FOREIGN.

Gold has been discovered near Kinsale, Ire
land The English Parliament has been pro-
rogued, and the Queen congratulates the coun-
try on the probability Of peaceful adjustment
of matters with the United States......Six hun
dred Communist prisoners have been banished
to the French penal colony in New Zealand
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

EVERYWHERE the Republican camp
fires are burning brightly. The victory
in North Carolina and the heavy gains in
the county elections in Kentucky aud Ten
nessee show that the people have conf
dence In Grant and Wilson,. and propose
to elect them by an overwhelming ma ori-
ty. After the Democrats burned their
powder over tho Pine State, the Republi-
cans are making the heavens ring with
their thunder
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

SENATOR SUMNER says, in his answer to
Speaker Blaine's scathing letter, that he
finds so many of his old abolition friends
and equal rights champions in the Greeley
camp that he had not missed Mr.. Blaine.
This is the kind of news Democratic pa
pers don't print. They want their readers
to believe Greeley is completely under
Democratic control. Evidently Sumner
is mistaken or the Democrats are. E
there any secret abolition compact be-
tween Summer, Ashley and Greeley?
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

THE Democrats claim that there are no
white Republicans of any intelligence in
North Carolina. They claim all the intel
ligence, money, &C., of the State, and yet
they have been most shamefully imposed
on by the Ignorant niggers." Poor DEM
ocrats! How innocent and unsophlstoea-
ted.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

He doesn't hanker after Grow" He has
fears too many Radical leaders are rallying
about Greeley, and then he says she W III
become their man and then where Is Your
(democratic) triumph ?p
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

1T appears that when Speaker Blaine's
letter TO Sumner first appeared the latter
declared he would not read or notice it.
But after its publication dispatches poured
in on him from Greeley men in the East
declaring that it must be answered as its
effect in New England was damaging.
Under this pressure sumner read and an
swered it, and now comes howl from
Greeley Democrats that il il so strong for
the niger that its making old line
Democrats very sore. Truly the embarrass-
ments Of the coalition are multiplying.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14

1.-THE tidd wave rolls on" said the
Greeley organ on Sunday in reference TO
North Carolina. Yes, so say we 1t mas
rolled over the Greeley movement and
there will be mighty little left of it by the
time il reaches the Nam.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-08-14
POSTING THE BOOKS.

The significant fact in the seven States
that have so far spoken is, that in all the
Republicans have gained. Three of these
States are in the East, three in the South,
and one on the Pacific coast. All unite in
demonstrating that the popular tide is in
favor of Grant, and indicate his election by
an overwhelming majority. Here is the
summing up of actual results in the States
that have held general elections. this year
For Grant