Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1880-09-23
TO THE VOTERS OF TILE
FIRST CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT. ~
G-REENEvILLt, Tenn,
Sent Dist 1S2O

M
Sept. 21st 1880.
When first considering the pro-
priety .sofs publishing an article of
the nature of this one my original
intention was to address it entirely
to the Democracy of the District;
but recent developments have so
broadened it's field that if written
purely from a partisan standpoint
it would be inadequate to the gray
ity of the subject and therefore a
mere trifling with matters of mo-
ment which concern all the people
of this section, irrespective of party.
As Democrat land one who vo-
ted for Mr.. Taylor in 1871 / can
no longer give him my support. and
as a citizen who appreciates and
recognizes the obligations of his
civil privileges 1 feel in dutybound
to expose certain transactions and
to denounce designs which have
done and which are Intended to do
infinite mischief to1our material in
terests as well as to our moral and
political welfare. !
/ am convinced of the existence of
a certain state OF. facts, but not hay
ing been a party to any of the trans
actions involved in. them, could not
testify to them myself; but Il shall
make positive statements based OH
my>informatiOn, which, if untrue,
will entitle the persons concerned to
civil redress. A verdict against me
would settle the issue, and should
satisfy the parties concerned; but if
it be urged that damages could not
be made off me, in the event of suit
being brought, I will take all nee
essary steps towards placing all my
personal effects, down to the shirt
OH my back, and all rights and
claims not yet reduced to possession
within reach of an execution from a
court of law.
MY statements and charges are as
follows and l challenge legal investi-
cation:
On the morning of Saturday, Sept.
IS, 1880, the NeW Era, a Republican
paper, was given out to its subscri-
bers at Greeneville. At the head of
its editorial columns was the regular
Republican TICKET, with the excep-
ton of the candidate for Congress.
In the place of the name Of Maj. A.
III. Pettibone appeared the name of
r. l.. Taylor, and in the columns
beneath was the following edito-
rial (g) explanation of the change:
"The name of Maj. A. Fl. Pettibone
which has heretofore appeared in the
Nem Era, as the Republican candi-
date forCongress in this district is
taken down and that of Hon. r.. L..
Taylor is placed at the masthead and
will continue there through the
campaign. This step is taken after
mature d~eliberation, and the follow
ing are some of the reasons which
have induced the adoption of the
course proposed to be pursued through
the -,
at is no. secret, but n, fact we'll
known to the true, tried and stand
ard Republicans of Greene county
and the LIST Congressional District
generally that Maj. Pettibone is not
now, was not two years ago and Wa
never he.the choice of The honest mass
es of the party in the District: The
same men, means and measures fig
ured conspiciously in both the con-
ventions that nominated him.EThc
will of the overwhelming majority
of the honest voters has, been siienced
the machine has been run mainly
by a set of Office holders and hungry
office seekers, who if the schedule is
not changed will run the party into
certain and irretrievaLle defeat aud
ruin. 1t is better for the party and
the country that these self ccnstitu-
ted leaders be invited down and
out" We can no longer afford, plo-
as we do to be the party of
great moral ideas and progress to fol-
low the lead OF the majority of such
men as constitute the personal.follow-
ing of Mai. Pettibone.
THE Mai. himself is not arepresen-
tative man of our people or of our
arty. We have not the least .objec-
lion to him as a man or as a citizen,
Or Il, a professional man because he
was not born and reared among us.
We cordially welcome every man,
woman and child of every cline, Ia
ton, tongue and people who see prop
er to come with an honest intention
to cast their lots with us-to become
of US and struggle with us to
build up the institutions of the Ian =
and help US to develop u material
resources-but when n comes with
his arms stretched out for an Office,
and when he gets that and still cries
for more like Oliver Twist, and when
he tries and not only tries but sue
ceeds to force himself befor, the peo-
pie as their candidate for Congress,
time after time. when the party at
the polls repudiate him, it is certainly
lime to stop and reflect sand see
if some means cannot be adopted to
take. the control of the party out of
The hands of those who for selfish
motives are leading rs to. destruction,
and place it IN the hands Of others
who have the true interest Of
9epublicanism at heart and who are
Id 3 true representatives of the par
by. 81 -
SER these and many other good and
sufic emit reasons hereafter to. appear
in these columns, during the progress
Of the canvass. We shall advocate the
of Mr. Taylor to Congress
as the best, shortest and most effee-
tive means oe shaking off the incubus
that has fastened itself upon us.
Let us purify our party by getting
rid of an element of weakness. Let
as return to the plain, simple meth
DDS If former days. Let us arise in
our might and show our would-be lea
lers that they must take back seats
and modestly wait to be invited to
The front. As they will not do this
voluntarily let us administer such a
dose this time as will for all time to
rid us Of further trouble and
annoyance