Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1878-10-25
Advice From Bric>a- Brae.


saying =" Let us agree to disagree.
In no case of recent eventuatio1
does this axiom hold. better than il
discussing the relative merits O
Messrs. Taylor and Pettibone. For
in sooth, the discussion has reached
an asperity that is lamentable, to
say the least.
Some months ago l "waded in, "
thinking it was free fight. Petit
bone was nv choice, while for Alf.
Taylor l had the kindest feelings;
vet certain infOrtuitous circum-
stances and clan of irrepressible
"Oi polZoi" made the matter dis
gushing. 1t would seem impossible
to carry on political controversy
after gentlemanly methods or in
decent language. Now, what is
the situation Maj. Pettibone on
the one hand, Robt. l.. Taylor sup
ported in the opposite digits. Per
sonally, no fault can be found with
either. In relative ability we pre-
sumo equal as to success with the
people; deciding question of brain
or character, that is simply poppy
cock. An accomplished circus
clown or ragged-edge Henry Ward
B., can control an element proverb-
tally tickle. Whether Taylor is
fresh or Pettibone wearied; whether
Bob is "one of our own boys" or
Pettibone of Northern extraction,
shouldn't enter into the canvass.
No one can deny ability to Petit
bone or help liking Bob, if he has
a bald head and plays the fiddle.
Your correspondent enjoys the first |
privilege, but must give Bob the
move in the fiddle business. I per-
form on the horn, sometimes my
own, at others "harmonically."
By spectrum analysis " we
should weigh the actual position our
Congressman elect will occupy at
Washington; promising that our
best man becomes a mighty small
affair in the National legislature.
Maj. Pettibone may have got the
Republican nomination and Bob
may be manly, accomplished gen.
tlenian but does any one, in his
senses, think either will be a
feathers weight with the shrewd
veteran partisans, who engineer
matters in the councils of the Ma
ton" Matters there are arranged
by ultra Northern men, or ultra
Southern men while the men we
send are utilized as so much dun
mage or filling.
Second, although Bob may be a
clever fellow he at least has sense,
and honestly represents conserva-
tism. He is no "softy," and al
though for policy sake he may glad
y encourage sore-headedness in the
ranks, he is undoubtedly
in his backbone. With
MS brilliant father and talented
brother, consistent REPUBLICANS,
but strong conviction could
have made him conservative, and as
such, all Republicans should view
him; in fact il would be an insult to {
Bob's common sense and honesty to I
take any other view.
Now, what have we presented to
the Republican party? First, in
Congress naught but positive politi-
cal availability, adapted to the ,
is recognized; second,
that no Republican voting with the s
Conservative party can receive (out- !
side of qualification of temper and a
'ore-headeness) anything. "Soft- '
soap" before the election and I'M 8
setting aside thereafter.
Therefore, my Republican friends, f
90 for your man as the regular P
lominee of your party; and, my l.
friends, consider that
you must send to Congress man
who has to meet political gladiators,
md who, as East Tennessee has not .
much prestige with the Southern
eaders, must look for all and com 7
ort with the Northern wing, and,
lbove all, let the yellow fever record i
wipe out the odium of Northern :
birth, and wean the community
rom the charm enshrouding a cans
lidate that "he is one of our own .
,oys." Congress don't recognize
Iocial traits-it means stern, abso-