Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-12-23
THE OLIVE BRANCH-A NEW
FEATUREIN THE SENATORIAL
CONTEST

Quite ripple was created on the
political surface at Nashville on Tues
day, and, strangely enough, caused by
a notable speech before the Supreme
Court, made by Hon. Edmund Cooper.
1t Is pretty generally known that for
the past five years Andrew Johnson
has entertained no love for Mr., Cooper
and his brother Henry, who beat him
for the United States Senate. Mr.
Johnson has charged openly, and at
all times, that his defeat was the result
OF midnight conclave, in which the
two Coopers proved treacherous, aud,
as result of their betrayal of him,
Henry was elevated to a seat in the
United States Senate, where he has
scarcely been heard from since. The
ex-President has not been able to speak
of these two WORTHLESS without be'ray-
ing the utmost contempt for them, not
only by words, but through every fea-
ture of his countenance. 10 whatever
else other people may excel our Greene
vile neighbor, none will dare TO
dispute his capacity as a thorough
and profound hater If those
whom IL is his desire to hate.
This feature of his character has had
a fine field for ample exercise in the
case % the CUopers He did not speak
of them in the last canvass, and even
since the canvass CLOSED, except in
omparison With Judas Iscariot, Aaron
Burr an Benedict Arnold. Aud until
now, it has been supposed that this
feeling of hatred was mutual-that
the Coopers hated johnson, as badly
as he hated them. We suppose that
it will not, even now, be disputed that
such was the state of feeling existing
between them. After this it is not
surprising that speech made before
the Supreme Court, in which Edmund
Cooper pays a high compliment to the
EX-President, should be the subject of
remarks, both favorable aud unfavor-
able to the speaker. He was discus
sing the questions growing out of an
interesting lawsuit, involving the title
to the homestead of the late Hon. NJ
p. Gentry, who ran against Mr.. john
son for Governor in 1876. Referring
to the relations which existed be-
tween Mr.. Gentry and Mr. Johnson,
Mr.. Cooper said, as We fluid him re-
ported ia the Union and imericdn
Remember that Andrew johnson was
NJ ilitary Governor of Tennessee in times
goue-by they had been fierce political op-
ponents; they had once canvassed the
State together for its highest office. 1t is
/ one Of the common rumors OF his neghbor>
I hood that at this very home one evening,
! when at the family altar Senator Brown
/ low, then Methodist minister was pray
ing and alluding to the efficacy OF the
atOnement of Jesus of Nazareth for the
sins of the whole world. that he was in
terrupted by his host muttering With
but one exception, BroWnlow-one excep-
ton, and that is johnson OF course he
die not know Andrew johnson rs i have
d., known him, as many Of Us have known
him, or he would have made no such re-
marx; FOR IL affords me pleasure here tC
say. that in all the relations OF life and par
tiCularly that of President of the United
t9Las-Ht VI -hl4lLdl y JDNtIuOa Vi 1tLute@tt
towards those engaged, or who had beer
engaged, in the rebellion, he proved him
self TO be kind, liberal and forgiving; anC
that his grea. heart always melted to tn,
appeals made TO him for Executive pardol
by, or in behalf Of those from Tennessee
whom he had always known. l know
/, whereof | write,
. These remarks created quite sensa
ton in the court room, and Instant,
all sorts of coniectures and theorie
were INDUCED in. The Union an
american says:
) What appeared TO be the theory mos
! generally accepted was this: Hon. w. II
. Stephens, West Tennessee strongest can
didate for the Senatorship, beings brother
I in.law of Mr.. Cooper, what more natura
: than that the latter should desire 10 concil
late every possible element of opposition
il should be noticed that as the basis {
: this theory, il is surmised that a combin,
8 ton might possibly be formed between th
supporters of Messrs. johnson and StC
phens by which the prize could be secure
: 70 whichever oftwo might develop the MOI
Y strength. In such case Middle Tenne
b, see, with her multiplicity Of candidate
would stand but slim show.
It is pretty generally believed i
Nashville, that Cooper's advance tc
, wards johnson, this public display
the "olive branch " to the EXPIRES
dent, il evidence Of some new comb
nation for the purpose of controllin
" the election Of United States Seui
i tor, 70 come of next month. 1t
. said that Mutual friends have interfel
a." ed, and that the breach whic
y has heretofore seemed unfathomabl
is about 10 be closet This circuu
stance is construed as portending som
e new move Oh the Senatorial ches
e board, and lively TIMES generally.
e Mr.. Cooper's effort seems to be regart
= ed by many as a rather ravehous gull
ing Of humble pie" or a. cringingl
d licking the hand that has often smot
i him 50 severely. He evidently mean
e something more than mere compl
:. ment 10 Andrew johnson, and som
o Interest will be felt in future develoI
r ment- \ combination between Nj