The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1875-08-25
THE NOW SENATOR.

THE NEW SENATOR.
4 - Chattanooga Times.
David M. Key was born in Greene
| county, Tennessee, January ~, 1924, and
is now in his fifty year. His ia
ther moved to Monroe county when Sen
ator Key was about two years old. Sen
ator Key resided in Monroe county un-
| til 1858, when he removed to Chattan-
/ ooga, where he has resided ever since.
He worked ON his fathers farm in Mon
| roe county until he was 81 years of age,
and then sought collegiate education,
preparatory to entering the practice OF
the law. He became a student of Hi
wassee College, in Monroe county and
graduated at tho, age of 26, obtaining his
license to practice law soon thereafter.
In the practice of the law he soon de-
veloped a faculty for close reasoning and
a quick perception of legal points which
rapidly carried him to the front rank of
the profession, and at the commence
ment cf the war he stood among the first
lawyers of East Tennessee. ess
From his first vote until the present
time he has cast his fortunes with the
Democratic party. He was elector for
this district on the buchanan. ticket, and
also on the Breckenridge ticket, in 1860,
but never ran for any office, although oft
EN- solicited to do So At the outbreak
of the war in 1861 he Joined the Confed-
crate army as Lieutenant Colonel of the
43d Tennessee Infantry, and remained
in that position during the entire war.
Col Jas. W. Gillespie, of Rhea county,
commanded the regiment.
After the expiration of the war Judge
Key was one of the first to receive par
don from President johnson, with whom
he had been on terms of friendship all
his life, up TO the year 1861. He made
an eloquent reference to this fact in his
speech at the public meeting in this city
August 2nd, called to take action in re-
gard to the death of Mr.. johnson. On
returning to Chattanooga Judge Key at
Ouce resumed the practice of law, and
was Immediately accorded high posi-
ton in the bar of Tennessee. After the
acknowledgements of the people through
| the election of Senter, he was elected a
member of the Constitutional Conven-
tion of 1869, of which lie was recog-
| nized leader, and his present appoint
ment is probably due to the impression
lie made upon Gov. Porter, who was al
so member of the Convention.
In May, 1870, at the earnest solicita-
tion of the bar and the citizens gener-
ally, he became candidate for Chan
cellor of the End Chancery District, and
was elected by an overwhelming major
ity.
He has remained in this office ever
since, discharging its grave duties with
such ability that he has kept the docket
clear, and has rareiy been reversed by
the Supreme Court. In 1872 he was
nominated for Congress, but was defeat
ed by Hon. VIM Crutchf1eld, of this
city.
In politics Senator Key is National
Democrat. He is no Bourbon, and feels
no bitterness on account of the past.
Five years ago, May 30, 1870, at the
decoration of the Confederate graves in
this city, lie said:
Zach section believed itself right
and war had to come. Let us thank God
that the conflict is over. Let us all rec
ognize the consistency, integrity and de-
votion to principle of both sides, and
not provoke new hostilities by indulging
in terms of contumely toward one an,
other.
have no doubt that thousands of Con.
federate soldiers fell fighting bravely or
the battle field whose souls are now in
Heaven. / have no doubt that thou.
sands of Federal soldiers fell on the field
of battle fighting just as bravely, and
that now their souls are also in Heaven
Do you think they are fighting and quar-
reling there to-day over this cOntest?"
"Let us overlook and excuse the faults
of one another. And on this holy day
(this decoration was on Sunday and in
this sacred place, surrounded by the ash
es of friends and of strangers, let us vow
that we will be friends, and that hereaf
ter we will work together in peace ant
harmony, acknowledging one flag anC
one country, knowing neither North nol
South, seeking and encouraging nothing
in any one but virtue and righteousness
be he of whatever race or section-de
claring here, over the graves of our dead
with a common destiny, striving by oul
earnestness in good works at last to be
reunited above in the same glorious
heaven"
These sentiments he still entertains
and manifests, not only in words, but in
actions
In regard to the financial question, he
favors the resumption of specie payment
at as early a day as possible, without toe
violent disturbance of the established
methods of doing business. He is nei
ther an infiationist nor contractionist
but believes that the industry and en-
terprise of the American people, un
: trammeled by unwise legislation, viii
be amply sufficient to osettIe all the finan
cial difficulties, under which they are
now laboring. ''.lf
In his personal appearance, Senator
Key is prepossessing. He has tall, com
manding figure, a massive head. hair and
beard tinged with grey, grey eyes, and q
genial expression on his face, which does
not belle his charactes. No man is per
sonally more popular in East Tennessee
and no man can know him intimately
| without feeling for him both admiration
and respect. Much is expected of him
/ and we believe he win not disappoinl
the expectations of his friends
The Difference.
Chattanooga Commercial
| The Knoxville Chronicle pertinent.
lY remarks /:
Only about FIVE thousand people turn
| out to the funeral of an ex-President, but
the edifying spectacle of convicted
murderer swinging from the gallows at
tracts ten thousand persons TO the spot
l. Force and noint ara or;van tbie