Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-13

| he had served but one term he would I'M
! doubtedly be reelected. But many think
| that twenty-fOur years, nearly quarter OF a
century, in toe senate is too long from Il
young and growing State like ours. But
others that his experience would be valuable,
and for that reason he ought to be returned.
| PHILETUs SAWYER.
Correspondent-Is Sawyer a candidate?
| Mr.. Carpenter-It is understood that Saw
yer will support Howe while ne has any
| chance, and will become candidate if Howe
| cannot be re- elected
Correspondent-Wha kind Of a senator
| would Sawyer make?
Mr.. Carpenter-One evidence Of man s
ability to fill public position is his success in
his private life. Mr.. Sawyer has been emil
nently successful in business. While in con-
gress he achieved a reputation second to that
of no member ever elected from our State.
He would make good senator.
MIR. KEYEs.
Correspondent-How about Keyes?
Mr.. Carpenter-Keyes has always been an
active, energetic Republican, interchangeable IN
his efforts for the success of the party. He
has been postmaster upward of sixteen
years, and chairman of the State central
committee, and has necessarily made bitter
enemies. But he has strong friends also, and
! if he should be elected senator would not only
give strict attention to the details of political
affairs, but would devote himself untiringly
to the interests of his constituents.
C. C. wAsHBURN.
Correspondent-How about Washburn?
Mr.. Carpenter-l understand that he has
removed to Minnesota.
OTHER CANDIDATES.
Correspondence have understood that
Governor Smith, Ex-Governor Lewis and
Ex-Governor Ludipgton are candidates?
Mr.. Carpenter-All good men, and would
represent the State well.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE?
Correspondent-But every one l see from
Wisconsin says you are candidate and are
to succeed Howe.
Mr. Carpenter-Yes. l hear this four or
five times every day, myself, but | never be-
Geve more than half | hear.
Correspondent-Why do you not announce
yourself as a candidate? There seams to be
an impression that your chances would be
good.
Mr.. Carpenter-In the first place, am not
and never was Il politician. | never held, nor
was a candidate for, any political Office until
1869, when l became a candidate and was
elected to the senate. My pride and ambi-
ton had always been In my profession. When
the war broke out, all former political ties
and business pursuits were interrupted, and
the people were divided into those who did
and those who did not support the govern
ment in the aggressive measures necessary to
suppress the rebellion. Up to that time l
had acted with the Democratic party. But
the war raised issues above party politics,
and during its continuance | was constantly
on the stump advocating the duty of all good
citizens to support the government without
regard to former political opinions. During
the war / did not call myself Republican,
but a Union man; and supposed that at the
close of the war the Democratic party would
accept the situation and exercise Its ancient
political sagacity IN molding the new order
of things so as to secure the results accom-
plished by the war. | entertained this expect
alton until after the Chicago Times, then re-
garded as a leading Democratic journal,
came out in bold and manly advocacy of such
a course, maintaining that universal suffrage
was the true principle, and that the freedmen
ought to be admitted to full citizenship.
This attitude Of the Times raised a UNI
versal howl of execration throughout
the Democratic party press. | then
joined the Republican party. From that
time to this | have been on the stump in
almost every canvass, In favor OF the Repub-
hcan party, and have always voted the
straight Republican ticket. When | became
a candidate in 1869 | had been in the Repub-
lican party only since the war; and those Re-
publicans who believed that no good could be
done by any man who had ever been a Dem
ocrat, lacked confidence IN my Republican
ism, and predicted that if | should be elected
| would betray the party. The contest, there
fore. became personal. My support came
from personal rather than political friends
But my friends rallied from every part of the
State, spending their time, paying their own
expenses, and by hundreds sleeping on the
floors of the hotels when other accommoda-
tons could not be had. Rock county in partic-
ular, where had lived from boyhood, sent an
army to Madison; and one dear old friend
Colonel Burdick-staid there three weeks
oil oil oil ;1.1,t
for my success. No man ever had warmer
friends than thronged about me in that con-
test, and they literally bore me through the
storm and landed me in the senate. There
for the six best years of my life, labored in
cessantly to prove myself worthy of the sup
l was candidate for reelection,
and in the legislative Republican
caucus | was nominated for reelection by
the UirG rOce vote of more than a majority of
all the Republicans in the Legislature; and
from the first to the last ballot | received the
votes of more than o-thirds of all the Re-
publican members CT the legislature What
followed is well known to all in our State. |
was defeated and Mr.. Cameron was elected |
During this contest my friends rallied again |
with the same enthusiasm as before, spending |
days and weeks at their own expense to Sc
cure my reelection. Now, while | would |
make any sacrifice in my power to confer |
favor upon these friends, have not the cheek |
to ask them to make further efforts in my be- |
half Since my defeat | have devoted myself |
exclusively to my profession, and have good |
hope of being able to pay my taxes and sup |
port my family without seeking any political |
position.
Correspondent-You don't mean to. say !
then that you would not accept the position If |
your friends should elect youP
Mr. Carpenter-I think what | have said |
covers this question. My professional expe-
rience has taught me that a witness who vol |
unteers testimony generally gets into trou-
BILE