Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-09-05
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EDIToRs CHRoNIcLE:-If I were
afflicted with the shamefacedness CON-
mon to newspaper correspondents, !
would begin this writing with neat
reference to that goldenest of rules,
Have something to say, say it, then
STOP" and with a parallel duplicity to
the preacher who says he will briefly
explain" when wound up for a three
hours sermon, declare that would
give you "a few notes of our latest
social event." Truth, however, is
mighty, though she don't prevail-that
is to any alarming extent-and impels
me to say that however tedious" the
dear public may find my lucubrations
they will assuredly not be "brief"
Albeit / hate instructive people, |
must say word or two anent my title.
1t is not signal of farewell-oh no
nor can it be Public Persons Criticised,
for my mood is strictly impersonable,
so the curious may speculate as to
whether it shall be set down as Piece
of Polite Candor, or Parties Philologi-
cally Considered, or Picnics, Politics,
Contrivances, any-or none-of which
will be equally applicable.
Yes, we've had a picnic, the first
for years, never mind where. To be
charmingly indefinite let us say in
District No. 0. 1t was of the barbecue
persuasion and grand success, for
instead of trusting to youth at the
PROV and pleasure at the helm" we
had dry wood at the pit with common
sense managers, who had the job and
the meat equally and thoroughly we'll
done, and a Lord High Chancellor of
Arrangements whose eloquence, like
Cicero's, is action, action" who is
always in, and never out of place.
God bless his red face, may it bloom
in undiminished brightness in this
world and the next. The ladies part
of tbs. afair-bread, cake, pickle, etc.
w. al that skill, energy and rivalry
could produce, and he must be the
dullest of calculators who from those
factors can not work out q most en-
joyable result. But that am sworn
foe to scenic raptures, could say much
Of the place; suffice it that it was
lovely, lonesome, cool and green"
and like John the Baptist's habitat,
there was much water there"-which,
en- passant. our colored friends utilize
for the self-same purpose. Inaddition
to the main amusements of the day,
to-wit: Seeing and being seen, talk
ing and being talked about, we had
plenty of croquet-under difficulties
and Qudntum suf. of music. Of the
merits of the latter 1 can speak with
supremely Twain-ish freedom, as after
my arrival it was conspicuous by its
absence" going out Of earshot up the
creek, where mild dance was gotten
up, which I hope the participants en-
joyed. Of course We had distinguish
ed visitors, some more, and some less,
so than this writer. Among the former
were hopeful aspirants, cidevant candi-
dates, a member of the Democratic
Executive Committee, and a public
functionaryrejoicing in the handsomest
kind of majority in the late election.
The last named 1 shall call Messrs. X.
and Y.-unknown quantities, whose
values the curious may determine for
themselves along with the question,
whether the fact that No. 0 is one of
the few districts which has not, up to
date, chosen itself a Legislative first
love had everything to do with their
presence. Equally of course the pious
people wanted some speech making
and when in obedience to the cries
"X., x. x" the Committee man rose
to explain, all-especially the afore-
said aspirants-listened eagerly, think
ing to catch the cue of the coming Con-
vention. But he fixed them-fixed
them nicely, did that Committee man.
No Sampson was he to turn loose foxes
and fire brands of State debts, fund
ing bills, lower taxes or legal reforms
in the standing corn of these Philis-
tines. Instead, he told US what he
knew about the Civil Rights Bill. Why
shouldn't he? The election is over.
In the main / agree heartily with the
speaker, bat must say that in my judg-
ment, if there were but two races
white men and negroes-in our State
no conflict would arise. 1t is the
third estate, having the complexion Of
the one and far less than the principle
of the other, that makes the mischief
Then be told Rs to stand by the Con-
vention right or wrong-advice which
| l hope may be followed. The Conven.
ton is among the necessary evils Of
democratic Government-theo only eff.
fectual restraint yet devised for the
average American. whose propensity
ofice-ward is usually in inverse ratio
to his incapacity. Neither practicall,
nor philologically do l like Democ
racy, "the power Of the people" pure