The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-08-02
D0RsEY b THOM44GU BERNA-
TOPTAL MATTERS

Thomas at Brownsville last week, in
which there is no reference to his being
an independent candidate for Governor.
Mr.. Thomas is a candidate for Governor,
but not independent. -FdyetteCaae HI
press.
Mr.. Thomas is a candidate, and-in-
dependent The Express may rely on
this as a centennial fact Whether he
will remain in the field depends on the
action of the State Convention relative
to taxation Memphis AUGLGnche.
So, it may be taken as a settled
fact that Dorsey B. Thomas has ac-
commodated the world with a glimpse
of the true inwardness of his posi-
ton respecting Gubernatorial mat
tiers, and whatever of doubt pre-
viously existed in relation to it, may
now be regarded as at an end. I'm
der ordinary circum stances it were
matter of no great moment what
might chance to be the views or pur-
poses of that gentleman. A clever
person, to be sure. but of moderate
ability, and without especial force,
they would probably exert an infu-
ence commensurate with their value
and that would not be great, to
say the least OF it. At this critical
juncture of public affairs, however,
when unity of purpose is of vital i'm
portance to the Democracy, it be-
comes a matter of no little interest
to inquire into the real status of am
bilious politicians, like Mr.. Thomas,
who seem to hold themselves, at con-
venient seasons, above and superior
to party organization. Briefly, then,
Mr.. Thomas is an independent can
didate for Governor, upon repudi-
alton platform. This is the true
English of his position, stripped of
useless verbiage. He submits him.
self to the approaching Convention.
subject to a contingency which ev-
cry man of common sense knows is
no contingency at all, that is, the
adoption by that body of platform
in harmony with the reputation
views of that gentleman, an event
which might we'll be deplored by
every citizen at all concerned in the
good name of the commonwealth.
This being so, it may as we'll be
conceded, at the start, that Mr..
Thomas can have no rational hope
of a nomination, which, in his case,
would sffix an indelible stigma upon
the people of the State. 1t may,
therefore, be taken for granted that
the honor will be promptly conferred
upon the present incumbent, Hon.
James d. Porter. To say nothing of
established usage in such cases, there
are many valid reasons why Gov.
Porter should be re-nominated, but
it is hardly a matter of surprise that
no opposition TO it has appeared,
save in the person of the gentleman
from Humphreys. who, as we stated
last week, has the rather melancholy
satisfaction of knowing that his own
immediate neighbors have instruct
ed +" for Gov. Porter, who combines
in his person all the requisites Of an
admirable Executive. OF command
ing presence, a bearing at once emf
nently digniied, courteous and win
ming, there is a moral elevation and
compels a respectful admiration, but
invites confidence. Suspicion itself
has not whispered aught against his
integrity, and his frmness has never
been questioned. He has conducted
the affairs OF the State with quiet
dignity. moderation and ability. In
the hands of such a man, her honor
and welfare may be permitted to re-
main in perfect safety. A true son
of Tennessee, he is worthily jealous
of her ancient renown, and will not
suffer it to be married by so much as
the shadow OF a suspicion, if 1t can
be avoided and it will be an unhap-
ply hour for the people when they
sacrifice him for one so careless, APP
parently, of their good name as Mr..
Thomas, whose candidacy has an I'M
mistakable flavor of sore-headism
about it, which is by no means likely
to gain him adherents among the
Democracy. However, it is now
quite obvious that he does not ex-
pect to be elected by Democratic
votes. This is too clear for contro-
versy. That there is a small under
current of Reputation, silently pur-
suing it's way, and waiting the ap-
pearance of a leader to give it re-
spectability and volume, has long
been patent. And it is upon this
dishonoring element, and under the
piratical banner of Radicalism, that
the gentleman from Humphreys
hopes to ride into the seat of the
present honored Executive. The
scheme will not succeed. There is
an odor of trickery and charla-
tanism about it which cannot pros
per, and which will, when fully I'M
derstood, be rewarded with the stern |
of every man whose
conduct is regulated by principle |
instead of selfishness and cunning.