Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-12-01
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

Henry S. Foote, of Nashville, now so.
.ourning in Washington City. To the
older class of our readers Governor
Foote's name is familiar. As far
back as 1915 he was elected by the
Democratic party as a Senator in
Congress from Mississippi, in which
state he then resided. Though a
Democrat he was a patriot, and. side
by side with Henry Clay, he battled
or the Union in the Senate in 1850
when the Secessionists threatened to
lcstroy it. Then as a Union Demo.
rat he made a gallant fight in Mis-.
sissippi Immediately after the adop.
lion Of the Compromise measures,
being elected Governor by a small
majority over the arch enemy Of the
country-Jeh'erson Davis. Any other
nan but Foote would have been de.
'eated by Davis. But Gov. Foote
had the secession Democracy of one
southern State by the throat, when
hat Democratic President Frank
Pierce, came to their rescue, put JEFF
Davis in his Cabinet and gave all his
patronage to the Secessionists of the
Cotton States. With the expiration
If his term as Governor of Mississip-
9i Mr.. Foote retired to private life
lntil the threatening storm of 1860,
when, after first opposing Secession.
lie yielded to the opportunities of his
southern friends, and though never
acknowledging the right of Secession
vent into the rebellion.
In this connection, however, it af. |
ords us pleasure to say that in the
Rebel Congress, Gov. Foote voted |
-gainst and opposed the extremely |
-arsh measures which led to the |
-anging, shooting, and Punishment /
Of quiet and inofiensive citizens of
The State because of their Union sen.
-iments.
But while the Ex-Governor, and .
Ex-senator. as we think. committed
= great mistake in going into the
Rebellion which he had bravely
ought for thirty years. he is,
levertheless, q patriot, and never
deliberately conspired. like Davis.
Toombs and others, to destroy our
glorious Republican Government.
That he did not is shown in the
tightly patriotic letter which we now
publish from him. knowing him
IS we do to be a brave. generous man
thoroughly attached TO the Union, we
welcome him with open arms into the
ranks Of the great Republican party,
ne only organization having the dis.
POSITION and ability to preserve our
rec Republican system of Govern
-eat and the Union Of the States.
We endorse all our correspondent
.ayS in praise OF President Grant and
is administration. The suggestion
II Coy. Foote that the Democracy .
.'sbo1d and break up their organiza-
ion contains more wisdom and
patriotism than we have seen express.
d in one sentence in fifty years. 1t
; the very thing which the leaders Of
his demoralized and utterlyworthless
should do. and unless
hey do it soon and gracefully, as the
eaders Of the old Federal party did
'hen they all supported Monroe after
he war Of 1912. they will find so many
thousands Of old.fashioned Union
like Gov. Foote opposing
hem that they will be nothing more
han contemplate and powerless
action, despised by all patriotic men
t home and the but oG ridiculc Of
Enlightened men the world over.
The thousands Of old Union.DeIno.
rats and Wings throughout Tennessee
tho were reluctant to 90 into the re.
ellion, and who have been misled by
reiudice and SANDER as to the real
imposes and aims of President Grant
nd the noble party he represents,
hould ponder well the counsel OF
heir old associate and friend. ex.Gov.
cote. He has never voted Repub.
can or Radical ticket, he has always
cen Democrat, but he is q patriotic
itizen and q sagacious, far.seeing
ian. and in advising his old friends
, desert that leally, worm-eaten, rot
m old hulk called the Democratic
him he * actinfc Ror tbcir ,,o.y,d 81