Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1876-02-24
Tennessee Politics.
CHATTANOOGA, Feb. 10, 1876.

Since Andrew johnson h., passed freu
earth, and no longer diSturbs the placid
surface Of Tennessee politics by descending
into the arena at the Inauguration of each
campaign, there has been unusual quiet il
political circles. For thirty years he wa,
the central figure in Tennessee, and at
each returning election there was the an,
nual Andrew Johnson row. But he has
run his last race, and his place upon the
stump, in public debste, as an agita.or,
will not be filed this generation. lie
mas passed earth and earthly strife and
contention. All that is mortal of him
rests under the shadow Of the mountains
After liie's ftful fever be sleeps we'll"
The campaign in this State this year
will be of unusual interest, owing to the
Presidential election, and the fact that q
legislature is to be chosen which il to elee t
two United States Senators in January,
The strife and pipe,layiug to secure these
places for favorites have already com,
menccd, and will be felt in the selection
Of the legislature.
REPUBLICAN GAINS PROBABLE.
The Republicans will undoubtedly
make large gains in this State this year.
There is larger Republican element
here than is generally supposed, pro 'iled
it is not frightened into blind staggers by
the terrible specter of NEGRO equality"
The civil right, bill was a bow to the
party in this State, from which it will not
recover within FIVE years. Up to the
passag. Of that unfortunate measure, the
Republicans were making steady progress
in this State. The old Wing element,
which of itself is nearly large enough to
control the State, was gradually swinging
around to the Republican party. Take
out the eternal colored person, and there
is more affinity between the Republicans
and the Whfgs than between the Demo-
Gratis aud the Wings. The Republican,,
were making such good progress, in this
State that in 1872 they came within
$4,000 of clecting their candidate for
Governor. But such was the effect of that
disastrous measure upon the white people
that the State which the Democrats
carried by but 400 in 1872, they carried
by $4,000 two years later. The Repub-
licans lost heaviest in tho counties where
they lad previously the largest white
vote.
But the fright ard panic have nearly
spent themselves. The colored people
have abstaneG from attempting to enforce
their rights under that law, and the pas
sOns Of the population have materially
cooled. Matters have settled down much
as before, aud oil owing to the good
sense of the colorsd people in not att.mp>
ting to take advantage of single right
guaranteed to them in that law.
With the subsdence of this issue the
Republicans will begin 70 gain again, and
they will not be defeated by over $4,000
at the coming election. And if the
Democratic majority should be cut down
to $4,000 | would not be surprised.
Also, the Republicans will gain two Con-
gressmen and from six to ten members
of the Legislature. After some years of
effort they will get back to the point
where they we're when the civil rights
agitation knocked them on end.
THE SENATORIAL QUESTION.
There are rnmors in the air of oom-
bination, which, if carried into effect, will
nave national influence in shaping State
politics. 1t is rumorej that a combna.
ton has been formed, the effect o. which
will be, If successful, to give one Senator,
ship to we'll known West Tennessee
lawyer and politician. the other to dis
tinguished Middle Tennessee editor, and
the goveruorship to an East Tennc ssee
Wing and Union man. This would have
tendency to unite all elements in ono
harmonious whole. leaving out only few
scallawags and "niggers" and six or seven
postmasters. II there is such combina>
too formed. and it proves a success, it
will be great success. And if it isa
failure, it will bc melancholy failure
In the nature Of things there can be no
halfway success about it.
The Wings and Uuion men who are at
present camped in the Democratic party
although they don't like tie tents, and
the regulations Of the camp are distsste.
ful) feel that they should have recognition
in the approaching parcsliug Of spOils.
If they can set the governor. they might
be inclined to yield the two Senators-