Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-02-10
A REMINEsCENCE.

EDITORS CHRONICLE: The scene
which presented itself on the square
on Saturday, January 10th. called to
the mind of the writer some happy
"reminiscences. We saw there the old
man retiring with "blushing honors
thick upon him, and the new man
coming, and we scarcely know which
to admire the most The old man
with his proud, majestic bearing, as he
brought forward and introduced the
coming man, our Senator elect; him in
whom are conferred all our hopes as
sovereign State him to whom we have
so often listened with so great interest
and pleasure, both in forensic and pO-
litical debate. We admire them both,
we love them both. We contemplated
the retiring man with emotions of the
most profound regard we reviewed
in memory his past life. Like the
proud bird to which he has been Tx
ened, and for which named as Tennes-
sees orator, he has scared high, circ-
ling the peoples liberties with the pu-
rity and truth of his own high princi-
pies, and now as the evening shades
come on, and he turns down the ave.
nue. oflife, strong memories will bright
en- all the way and when in retirement
he catches the echo of applause that
greets the rising man, it will be to him
the voices of well-remembered friends.
Their arms again embraced him and
years of strife and care will seem to flee |
away and leave him in his manhood's |
glorious prime. Could he but know
what we know and feel, his heart would |
swell with pride and pleasure whilst
looking back through his past life
when the eternal shades are gathering
about him. for during his bright ca
reer his own hands have, without his
knowing, erected a monument in the
minds and hearts of his people that.
when the angels have welcomed him,
will have kissed the clouds.
Seeing these two together recalled
to our mind a very pleasing recollec-
ton of the olden time. Our Senator
and another prominent member of the
GAINESVILLE bar were appointed to
speak at one of the county precincts
on opposite sides of the great question
which at that time divided the two po-
litical parties of the day. We thought
before going there that the real ques-
ton was whether the Union should
or should not be preserved. We were
mistaken; the question proved to be
simply squatter sovereignty. Our Sem
ator proved this to be an abstraction
but his opponent held on to the rights
of the squatter, and it was not until
after the best possible effort on both
sides that our champion compelled the
surrender of the squatters hero, who,
however, did so with any easy good
humor belonging peculiarly to himself.
Our old friend, too, was there, and was
expected to speak; but in few elo-
quent and appropriate remarks de-
clined to argue the question of the day,
preferring not to disturb the harmony
and good feeling left by the two young
fighting cocks who had just addressed
them.
l have often thought since Of the
impression made on my own mind
while listening that day to the clear
of Constitutional law, and
have wished that the speaker might
one day be where Tennessee has just
placed him. We thought then and we
thinL NOM that tLis Is tue man co de-
fend the interest and sovereignty of =,
our State in our national legislature.
We have often listened to him since
with pleasure, and with more than or
binary interest when explaining the
true principles Of law, and every time
has but increased the desire that he
should represent our State where he
so soon will.
We most heartily congratulate both
him and the State upon the choice of ,
our Legislature. We hope and believe
that we will have In him an earnest
and able defender of the Constitution,
and of the Union, the home of the
genius of liberty herself. We feel and
are glad the mantle of our retired Sen
ator has fallen on a truly great man,
one who has no compromise to make
to secure office one who can stand up
in all the true nobility of his nature,
and assert the rights and defend the
liberties of the people who freely gave a
him all within their gift. We predict {
for him bright, great career. We
believe that his are the true priHci-
pies of Republicanism, and in defend
ing them he will write his name high
up on the arch of our confederacy.
With such men as Bailey and House
where they now are, the ship of State
need not slip her moorings, and though (
she will rise on the crest
Of the waves and glide quietly into the
clear waters of the States rights, fast
yrappled to the Constitution.
Yours truly, V.
FRESH Chocolate Caramels at Mat )