The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-08-30
CONGRESSIONAL CANVASS.
1eFARLAND AND RANDOLPH At
HORRLSTO wv

The Congressional canvass WAS
opened, in this the First District, be-
tween the present incumbent, Hon.
William Mcfarland. and Judge Jas.
II. Randolph, the nominee of the
Republican party, in this place on
Tuesday, the 22nd inst. Great anx-
iety was manifested to hear from the
lips of our honored Representative
an account of his stewardship during
the term of Congress just closed.
The old and the young, the bust
ness man and the tiller of the soil,
the professional man and the gentle
man of leisure, all seemed on tip-toe
to see and hear the result of the first
meeting of these gentlemen in this
great Centennial campaign. Indeed,
we have never, in the history Of our
county, on any similar occasion, seen
such an outpouring Of the whole peo-
| pie. At II 80 o'clock the Hon. Mr..
Mcfarland appeared on the rostrum.
He first thanked his constituents in
a neat and eloquent manner for the
confidence heretofore reposed in him.
He then proceeded, in a most mas.
terly manner, to put to rest the foul
aspersions that had been basely
propagated throughout the District
concerning his course since he had
been a member of the National Leg.
islature.
Never, at any time, nor on any oc-
casion, have we heard vindication
more complete. Every charge was
not only met and ably refuted, but,
as we believe, consigned to Oblivion,
there to sleep the sleep that knows
no waking. The friends of the hon.
orable gentleman had just cause to
be proud of their chosen Represen.
tative, whilst his enemies, who had
busted themselves in manufacturing
and circulating these foul ISLANDERS
against good and honest man, who,
independent Of party differences, had
labored faithfully for the best inter.
ests of his constituents, seemed
ashamed that they had ever condo.
scended to such small and dirty work
for the sake of party supremacy.
The honorable gentleman then pro-
ceeded, in his own honest, lucid,
straightforward manner, to the dis
cussion of the great questions con-
nected with National politics. His
arraignment of Grantism for its cor
ruption and reckless extravaganza
during the last eight years was over
towering, and simply unanswerable.
1t was shown, clear as a sunbeam,
that the financial policy OF tie party
under the dominating influences of a
bondholding aristocracy had brought
the country to the very verge of ruin.
1t was further demonstrated that our
only hope Of relief from the heavy
burdens that now Cypress, and from
those heavier ones that threaten US
in the near future, lies in an upris-
ing of the great masses Of the peo-
pie, the honest yeomanry of the
country. for the purpose Of electing
such honest, faithful men to our Ma
tional councils as will introduce gen.
uine reform into every department
Of the government.
When the honorable gentleman
took his seat, amid the applause and
congratulations of the audience, we
felt sure that the keynote had been
struck, which would lead 20 the tri-
umphant reelection of our worthy
Representative by an overwhelming
majority.
We were also forced to the conclu-
sion that if the Hon. Mr.. Randolph
could recall few short months, that
instead of occupying his present po-
sition he would still be on the bench
dispensing justice to the best OF his
ability. His utter failure in his first
effort to cope successfully with his
opponent was apparent to discern
ing men of all parties.
We now predict that after the
"Ides Of November" the gentleman
will be allowed to retire to his beau
tiful farm on the meanderings of the
fertile Pigeon, and there. amid rural
scenes. have ample time TO reflect on
the evil consequences of misguided
ambition. a'
To our friends. one and all, in ev-
cry county, civil district, and nook
and corner in the entire Congress
ional District, we say, be of good
cheer F; stand firm do your whole du-
ty; at the word, move onward, along
the whole line, and victory is assured.
Never have our prospects been so
bright; never have VIC been so con-
ident of sweeping, overwhelming
victory as now.
EzSM-lz.lEasz--.1z
HON b. Il. JAMES.