Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-10-10
RTHERlDGE VS.. BROWHLow.

In view Of Mr.. Ethridge's candi-
dacy as Radical nominee for this
Congressional district, it is refresh
ing to read the following speech on
Brownlow and Radicalism delivered
on the'25th of May, 1867, from the
steps of the Capitol at Nashville:
Yes, my fellow citizens, strong as the
language may seem, it is true that one.
half OF the lust for power, one half Of
the cupidity, one half of the cruelty, re.
lentless spirit and greed that buoy up the
cause Of Brownlowism, one half at least
OF it all is made up OF the rank corrup.
ton Of the war, the otfsl that was left
behind by decent rebels. >
Unless you have the rank, missmatic
stomach Of q Tennessee or Missouri
Radical, take out your disinfectants and
go with me through the BroWnlow char.
mel house. 1t ia as a hospital that is
hesped with the dead and dying, IN
washed and uncared for, without attend.
ants or water, or the needs of decency
and our visit must be accompanied by
the wonder and disgust Of a medical stu
dent called for the first time to witness
the hideons scenes of his profession.
Brownlow, tickled with
an elevation be had never hoped to &C.
quire, rolled from the very footstool of
power into the abyss of filth and politi.
cal degradation. But he was resolved
not to let go. Railroads, banks, school
funds, corporations, judicial ermine-
we're all within his grssp, and they were
not to be yielded up, to be disgorged
He dismissed all the officials OF the old
State government. aud. directed BIZ the
Legislature, appointed judges, ostensibly
until others should be elected. But he
has ordered no election and has gone on
filling vacancies as fast as they occur.
until he has nearly ~subordiuated the en-
tire bench Of the State TO his base pur.
poses. But there ia a
point 10 infamy beyond which human
endurance will not extend. Men will
not be as insane az Brewnlow, who il
simply a lunatic. No one familiar with
his countensnce can doubt that he is a
lunatic.
1t is equally refreshing to note
what Parson Brownlow said of Mr..
Etheridge in the Knoxville Wing,
of July IL, 1865:
The ex.Hon. Emerson EtheridRe has
been arrested al Columbus, Ky, for max.
ing inceDdiary speeches in Tennessee
denounclng the State government az
bogus, and the National Administration
as corrupt. Let him be imprisoned and
held there until he learns to behave him.
self,
And in July goth, 1865, the red
hot Parson in reply to the Cincin-
mats Enquirer sayst
Tue incarnate rebel Of the Enouirer
knows nothing Of the facts connected
with the arrest Of Elheridge. He has
beer an open, bitter and avowed enemy
Of the government for more than two
years--sBy from the time Mr.. Lincoln
refused him an important judgeship.
and appointed an ADLER and better man
With a view to provoke an arrest, be
took the stump in his old Congressiona
district, and delivered more sedltioul and
wickedly rebellious speeches than eve,
we're delivered by Yaneey, Davis or any
Of the secession gang he denounced
the Federal and State governments, and
advised The people to set aside the actr
Of the Legislature, IS the acts OF an un,
authorized body. The time has passed
Tor such treason on the stump ia Ten'