Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-07-22
AN UNSOLICITED DEFENSE.

ing him, and the CHRONICLE. lie was
placed on that Committee at the sug-
gestion of the Republican Congress
men from this State. We knew moth
ing of it until it wa sannounced, and
though we think it an excellent
appointment, we had nothing what
ever to do with 1t. Yet it has been
seized as pretext for assailing the
CHRONICLE and charging the appoints
ment upon visionary ring"
Among the papers making the assault
was the Cleveland Tenn Commercial
Republican. It's article was as follows:
We have no disposition to NEEDLE
in the disgraceful muddle of Republic
can politics in the Knoxville District,
but were content to remain silent. If
the people say nothing we will inter
pose no objections to the Knoxville
Congressional Baxter
CHRoNICLE-ring having its own way
in matters pertaining to that district.
But since they have probably assumed
to dictate for the State we will mod
es.ly intimate that it is unfortun ate
for the Republican party that man
of more tried Republican principles
has not been placed in this position,
especially as there are many such who
would certainly be more acceptable to
the party generally.
We have never heretofore noticed
these attacks, because they were all
evidently instigated by the same per-
sons, were all of the same spirit and
had common purpose, which was to
drag us prematurely into the Congress
sional canvass and into personal
contest, with the ultimate view of
breaking the CHRONICLES influence
with the Republicans of this Congress.
sional district, and of thereby promo
ting the division aud discord in the
party which these men have so earn
estly been laboring to bring about.
The particular article above quoted
we did not notice, for the additional
reason that we knew it was published
in the absence of the editor of the
paper, Hon. y. A. Patterson, and that
in due time it would he reputhated by
him. We notice it now, only because
it seems necessary to do so, in order to
explain and introduce the following
manly letter from an honorable and
able Republican editor, which comes
to us entirely unsolicited. 1t is as
AST0R HOUSE, New YORK,
July 18th, 1874.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: | regret that
it Is necessary for me to ask space in
your columns for the purpose of doing
you, Col. Thornburgh and myself jus.
tlce. In other words. ] regret that a
recent communicated paragraph (but
published as an editorial) in the COM
mercidL Republican Cleveland, Ten
nesseel should have done all the parties
stated injustice Of such character as
to require this mode of correction.
The paragraph article in question
severely criticises the appointment of
Col. ThOrnburgh as a member of the
National Republican Executive Com.
mittee, adding an uncalled-fOr person.
al thrust at Col. T., and then implicit
ly, If not directly, charges that the
- CHRONICLE IL the organ Of
81 riHg,n controlled by Coils. Thorn
burgh ank Baxter. Fortunately II
think for myself, Decunidriy, private
business has required almost my con-
slant attention mere and at Washing
ton for the past year; and
for the Commercial Re.
publican, it has not received the atten-
ton and supervision which just pa
per demands. Especially for the last
three months, almost the entire origi-
nal matter has been furnished or pro-
vided by the foreman Of the office.
| am satisfied that the Objectionable
article referred to was furnished as
contribution, but, by whom l do not
yet know.
As to Col. Thornburg, my estimate is
that he has honorably, ably and well
earned place OF prominence in the
Republican party; and as to moral
character, were / to depart so far from
a rule, held sacred, as TO make public
moral thrust at any one, / would en-
quire better and wholly diBcrent
authority, from that which l presume
exists, to premit the pointing of such
an arrow at Col. Il.
As to the CHoNICLE, my estimate of
1t has been, and is, that its character
for independence, fairness and
thoroughness makes it the peer of the
foremost journal of the country.
Among its contributions have been
original articles from many prominent
men. Those from Col. Baxter / esti-
mated as most positively demanded by
the best interests of the country. They
possessed the ring of the true metal y
exposed with an unspairing hand the
frauds and dishonesty of the railroad
and printing ring but | can not con
ceive or estimate that either he or
others have, or CUer UW, so control
your columns as to convert them into
ring" orsupple engine for the pro-
motion Of local, personal and factiOus
ends. Respectfully,
n. A. PATTERSON.
Foreman Commercial RepUbHcan
will copy
As the publication of the above let
terintroduces the subject, we wish to
say before dimissing it, that if the
writer of the above article or the
writers Of articles OF a SIMILAR import
Dubli-le in 9TH papera kpou, op,,