Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1878-10-30
Speaking at Athens.

/ for this District, and Col. j. NJ.
Clementson, elector for Gen. Dbl
rcH, addresseda fair attendance of
the people of McNIinn county to-
day. 1t is said that Gen. D. pays
him good round sum for his SER
vices. Col. G. has been canvass
ing for some time on this side,
while his principal is speaking west
of the mountain. What viii the
Knoxville TfsbWne- have to say
about this arrangement?
Col. Wheeler took the stand at
one o'clock, and spoke for two
hours. I will not attempt any re-
port of his speech, but will say that
he devoted almost the entire time
to a close statement of facts in
regard to the history and an expla-
nation and defense of the financial
policy of the Republican party.
Republicans were delighted with
his speech, and regard his argument
rs simply unanswerabla. His ref,
crcnco to Democratic blundcrinc
and management of our State
finances was absolutely crushing,
considering the audacity with which
they announce themselves as finan-
cial doctors and reformers.
When Col. W. closed, Col. G.
took the stand, without note or doc
ument and spoke for about thirty
minutes. Socially Col. G. is a very
clever and fascinationg gentleman,
and is also q good stump speaker,
but he did not DO himself justice in
his.efort here to-day. His remarks
were desultory, disjointed and scat
tering. The fact is Col. G. has not
been turning his attention to poll
ties much of late, and is decidedly
rusty in his facts and figures. 1t
requires something besides anec-
dotes and rhetorical fourishcs to
answer successfully plain, clear,
compact financial argument. Col.
@. realized this fact, and announced
that he would not attempt to answer
Col. VS. argument. l would have
liked very much to have heard his
principal, Gen Dibrell, attempt to
answer it. When he spoke to our
citizens some time ago, he said the
resumption act was the crown
ing infamy Of the Republican
party. When he addressed
them four years ago he
bitterly denounced the Rel
publican party because it did not
resume specie payment, and because
gold interest was paid to bond-
holders, while pensioners, Congress
men and the people generally were
paid in rag-money, or greenbacks. /,
But now when National Bank notes
and greenbacks have been brought
up to par with silver and gold, and I
resumption is almost, if not prac-
tieally altogether an accomplished
fact, this learned Statesman Of the.
Calf-killer actually characterizes it,
as the browning infamy Of the Re-
publican party. Now, in the elegant
and classic language of the Athens
Post, Don't that beat the degilp'j
Republicans now occupy an
honest financial position, let them
stand firm, and not be drawn off by
any new or side issues.
FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.
Mr.. EDITOR: Maj. Wheeler, can
didate for Congress in this district,
made vigorous and telling speech
in our court house this evening.
His speech was replete with sound
argument on the financial question
now vexing the country, and was
well received by all honest Republi,
cans. I think he will carry the
Republican vote of this county
solid.
Gen. DibreQ's henchman, John
NJ. Clementson, pretended to reply
to Mai. Wheeler, but it was really
no reply as all, consisting of one or
two dirty anecdotes, a general ar
raignment of the Republican party
for all the evils which aflict the
country, except the yellow fever,
and splendid eulogy on the Con
stitution of the United States. 1t
sounded strange to me to hear him
say that the Democratic party had
always been such worshipers of
that sacred instrument, after it was