Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-11
THE SENATORIAL FIGHT.
Col. John III. Savage's Speech at
at Lebanon, Friday.
A Terrific Onslaught on Express
ident johnson.

blage. As the train left at 4 p. NJ, we
were unable to obtain report of the lat
ter's remarks in time for yesterday IS issue,
and therefore give, this morning, his priIi-
cipal pOints-especially that portion in
whic lie paid his compliments to Mr.. John
son:
He was there 10 say that he was a candi-
date for the United States Senate, the high
est Cfice in the gift of the people, next to
the President. Although a neighbor, it
was the first time he had ever addressed a
Wilson county audience, unless the occur
renee of few days since should be called
an exception. He desired a debate upon
equal terms, but it was manifest that his
opponent had occupied the time with the
intent to prevent any effective reply.
Mr.. johnson had never treated friend or
foe fairly in his life, and he was now dodg-
ing to present an exposure Of his bad con-
duct. The speaker had no personal ami
mostly to Mr.. johnson, 1t was his political
record that he shonld attack, and, in less than
half the time occupied by Mr.. j., he would
show to the satisfaction of his best friends
that his pretended facts were, to a very
great extent, misstatements, his arguments
fallacies, his patriotism selfishness and his
love Of the people mere love of office.
Mr.. johnson hsd fed TO present hearing
his rotten record and political character
ventilated, well knowing that he dare not
defend il in the presence of an opponent.
Col. Savage had been taught not to strike
man absent or down on the ground, but a
man who fed to escape punishment, as
johnson had Just done like rogue, might
be shot as he ran. Col Savage continued
To-day he has slandered everybody who
is absent; why has he lodged the battle
with me and attacked the COopers and Gov.
Brown? 1 am competitor in sight; he
has not dared attack me in anything be-
cause | am here 70 defend myself, and he
knows my record Is without stain, while
he is covered over with every OffehSe known
in the catalogue Of crime.
Now, do not intend to interfere in the
family quarrel, as he says ''those traitors"
are of his own household; but will say
for Gov. Brown that he is net, and will not
be, a candidaiefor the United States Sen
ate-at least he told me so on the 10Th of
August last and l am not willing to believe
that he is man that builds masked batter
les or uses poisoned weapons. Nor do l
believe he will be found following the ex-
ample of A. j., who, upon returning from
Washington, said he had filed every Office
from Alderman to-President, and wanted
nothing In the gift of the people, and yet
for the last six years has been disturbing
the peace by his perpetual candidacy for
every effice-sOInetimes in the light Of day
and sometimes under ground, like mole.
If he had told the truth then, and kept his
word, it would now be better for him and
the people.
| mr. tn tho rnirlfs Of Mr.
JOhnsOn's speech briefly, and would leave
to stand on. And for fear Some friend of
his should leave, l shall have to take UP
one matter out of order.
Mr.. ]. has repeatedly said during the
speech, that the State debt had been created
by corrupt and faithless servants and agents,
Now, as Mr.. j, has run away, l will not
say he is the most guilty Of all those SCOT
rupt and faithless servants having been
the leader and highest in Office, but l VIII
prove him such by recorded evidence under
his own hand, that he dare not dispute here
or elsewhere, in this world or the next.
Here is A. Us message to the Legislatur,,
dated Oct. s. 1855, FROM Which |
VARIOUS works of internal improvement
are steadily and constantly advancing by
the timely and jBdiciOus aid Of the state,
developing our hitherto hidden and latent
resources and bearing of 10 the markets Of
the " rid at cheap rates, the mechanical,
agricultural and ether products Of the
country,
Here now is full, perfect and cordial
recommendation of the railroad debt, I'M
der the name Of "JUdiciOIr State aid" by
one Of these corrupt and faithle.s sef-
wants" and the records Of the State depart
ment, show that lie signed seven million
two hundred and twenty-three thousand Of
those "cOIT1pt and oppressive bonds,
created by ''cOrTUpt and faithless agents, all
of which he now desire to repUdiate. What
do you think of that, Mr.. johnson man
Are you not ashamed that you come here
to-day TO hear a man who is base enough
70 attempt to deceive YOU, and play dema-
gogue in this wayS You see now why
he fights and runs away. He knows
could tear off his lions skin and let the
people see what kind of an animal he is.
Mr.. A. J. says the Constitution is one
thing and the administration another, and
so the people of Tennessee thought when he
offered BrOwnlOw the army of the United
States 10 assist his militia to keep us from
the polls, and yet he had the impudence TO
chide us for keeping away from the polls,
when his army and Brownlow's militia
disguised many an honest man with the
ballOt-bOx forever.
Mr.. J. also says the sun and the ocean
have laws, and the Constitution was de-
signed TO be perpetual. This, in Mr.. John
sons phrase, is ''tO please you with a rat
tie or tickle You with a straw" but Tennes-
seeans have some sad rememberancesa along
here. Johnson and Thad. Stevens went
outside of the Constitution and rolled il up
like scroll, and it is still rolled mp, and it
will be written in history that neither
truth, honor, the law, or the Constitution
ever controlled the conduct Of Andrew
johnson when in pursuit of office, power or
innocent blood.
Again, he saws the Government is verg-
ing on a change, and thinks an empire is
nigh. And, if it comes, ask, is there a
man in the State, or in Che United States,
in all the long list of the peoples betray-
ers, that has done more than Mr.. j. to
bring it on us he appears very much
alarmed about Grants third term. Don't
YOU think he would like to have it himself?
Will sending him to the Senate prevent it {?
A. J. and Grant were fast friends; they
conquered you and put you down below
the level of the negro; they swung around
the circle and never differed about anything
else except as to who should be President
Instantly johnson pitched into Grant and
got whipped.
He saws 'the whole idea of government
is reduced 10 a system of plumber" and |
say that among the first steps in that direc-
ton was \. Us striking down, by uncon-
stitutional and arbitrary power, the laws
and constitutions of the Southern States,
and the appointment as Governors over
them Of thieves and corrupt men, like
William Holden, and carpet-baggers, who
oppressed and robbed the people of what
little the war had left
But he says he wants to amend the Con-
Stitution. He has amended il three times
too often already. These amendments
have reduced you below the condition of
slaves, and are the great first cause of all
our woes. A. J. has been for amending
the Constitution all his life; vet. TO hear
him talk, he is devoted to IT, What kind
of Christian is that man who eternaIly
saws he wants TO amend the Bible? John
sons professed devotion to the Constitution
is all hypocrisy, intended for mere effect.
Isfthere a man in Tennessee who would
- &c vra loI tho oh