Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-09-05
HON. JOHN II. SAVAGE.

800
disciple Of the renowned Plato, as wit.
ten by Mr.. Rollinin his history of the
arts and sciences among the ancients,
we find the following interesting incl
dent, which contains a point in state +.
manship to which the people of Tennes-
see are now looking forward as a virtue
fer which their champion for the supreme
msgistracy shat be peculiarly distin-
guished; THE court of Macedonia had
the reputation OF retaining q great mum.
Der of pensioners aud spies in all the.
~neighboriDg republics, aud to corrupt
with brides all nersons sent TO negotiate
with them. Aenocrates was deputed
with some other Athenians to Philip
That prince, who perfectly understood
the art Of insiouating Into peoples favor,
applied himself in q particular manner
to Xenocrstes, whose merit and reputa-
tion he was apprised of, When he found
him inaccessible to presents and inter
est, he ende .vored to mortify him by an
affected contempt and ill.treatment, not
admitting him TO his conferences with
the other ambassadors rom the common
wealth of Athens. whom he had corrupt
ed by his caresses, feasts and liberalities.
Our philosopher, firm aud unalterabls in
his principles, retained all his stiffness
and integrity, and though wholly exelud.
ed, he continued perfectly easy, and
never appe red either at audiences or
feasts as his colleagues did. At their
return 10 Athens his colleagues endeav.
ored in concert to discredit him with the
people, and complained that he had
been Of no manner of use to them in
this embassy; in consequence of which
he was very near having a fine laid OF
him.
"Xenocrates, forced by the injustice of
his accusers to break silence, explained
all that had passed in Philips court,
made the people sensible OF what i'm
p~ortance it was to have a strict eye on
the conduct Of deputies who had sold
themselves to the enemy Of the common
wealth, covered his colleague with shame
and confusion aud acquired immortal
glory"
Such was the issue of Xenocrates'
contest with the corruptionists Of his day
and time. He appealed to his own coun-
trymen, the honest people of Athens,
and as the historian records it, covered
himself with immortal glory" and
heaped upon his unjust accusers shame
and confusion.
Athens was a republic, like Tennessee,
in which the people ruled, and as we see
from this scrap of history, not slow to
vindicate their own integrity by deposing
aud disgracing corrupt officials, who for
s~elf-interest would betrsy that of the
commonwealth History, it is said, re-
peats itself. Like Athens in the days
Of Xenocrates, Tennessee and TIE other
repablics of this nation ars filled with
pensioners and spies from a Macedonian
court who stand ready by feasts and
caresses and liberalities, aud bribery if
needs be, to wiring from the pockets of the
poverty. stricken and tsx-ridden people
Of Tennessee their hard earnings to be
placed in the well.flled purse Of those
who neither toll nor spin. Iula critical
time like this, when INSCRIPTIONS cor
%ruptiouists hang around US like vampires
ready to devour u substance, and boast
that they would prefer to undertake the
purchase Of a legislature rather thsn
venture their cause before the people in
an honest election, it is time, / repeat
most solemnly, that the people should
look we'll to the integrity OF those who
would be our rulers. We want honest,
sincere men to fill our Offices from gov
ernor down to constable. We want men,
Ike Xenocrates, who cannot be bought,
and who will be true to the people az is
the needle to the pole. Fave we such a
Parsonage in Tennessee who can lead
the Democratic hosts 10 victory, aud
can, when seated in office, like some
Gibraltar rock, Withstand the mad surg
ing wave Of corruption ard hurl them
back upon themselves, and thus save the
people from this fell destroying inund
tion2 We have, and that person is Col.
John II. Sava Of Warren county,
Tennessee; a patriotic citizen, who early
in life ventured his life. and person fol,
loving the banner Of his country until
it proudly waved over conquered Mex
leo.
He has ever been reldy to brave every
danger at the call Of his country He sat
in her councils for nix years at Washing
ton, the representative Of the mountain
district, with honor to himself and with
benefit to the nation. He wal a member
Of the last general assembly, and by his
policy aud great courage and still gre ater
probity, has end red himself to the p~o-
pie, but gave gre t o%ffense TO the pen.
%sioners and spies Of Macedon," and
those of Tennessee's unfaithful sons who
have been convinced by the logic Of the
bond. holders gold. Colonel S-Vage pos,
sesses aud has justly earned a character
: by those who know him best, as being
above suspicion Of venslity. Like
Xenocrates, the we lth Of the Indias OF
the mines Of Peru could not buy him
l from his duty. He has always been hon.
est, true and faithful to ey, ~ trust, both
Of a private or public nature, with which
= he has been clothed.
His struggles Against the great none.
; tlry power Of the country for the las.
few years in behalf of the people has
!, brought down upon him the curses louC
, and deep Of Macedon's pensioners anC
spies aud the purchased satellites OF oul
! own land and country. Will the people
0 of Tennessee sustain and vindiclte hin
in his course aud honor him with glory
immortal, as the Athenians did Xeuoc
rates under similar persecution; or vii
i, they bring shame upon themselves b.
accepting the logic which some wise
. acres are constantly uttering that tn
a people want Savage for their next gov
ernor, but that be has mortslly offende,
the politicians, and that they will man
ipul-te the convention aud prevent hi
nomination, place another more man
e agegble candidate on the track, a irient
" TO Macedon's great king, and give onl
a platform for the people2
HIDALGo.