Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-12-15
4 VIGOROUS LETTER FROM
GEORGE WASHINGTON ESQ.
In Which he Gives his Views Of
I Bourbon Democracy. "a
A. Letter That has Worked its Own
Way Though the Country.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Nov. %, 1880.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Permit me to interpose
respectful denial of that energetic para
graph wherein am said to have enlisted
in the noble army of "tioppers.' 1t
doubtless originated in the rather muscu
lar criticisms with which j have lately
seasoned my remarks concerning the
democratic party.
These remarks, uttered in the most
public and emphatic manner, soon put on
their seven-league boots. To this, 1 had no
objectio n; for the emphasis of their utter>
ancel twas surpassed only by the delibera'
ton with which my conclusions were
reached. AS might be supposed, however,
in travelling the circuit, they, underwent
a metamorphosis SO complete that was
unable to recognize my own bantlings.
And presently I found myself being con-
graduated by sturdy brethren of the re-
publican pursuasion upon my supposed
growth in political knowledge and grace.
I have nothing to recall. The views
which 1 entertain, so far from being
hastily formed, are the slow. growth of
years, as is well known to many, and as
may be seen from communication of
mine, published more than eight years
ago. They are the product of the most
anxious desire to reach sound political
conclusions, wholly uninfuenced by
selfish or narrow considerations. And
when man reaches that point, he can
well afford to decline the Questionable
honor Of receiving his opinions, ready
made, from those who take in their politics
through the pores of their skin, and whose
political and intellectual horizon is just
comprehensive enough to take in the
corporate limits of small town.
1t is no part of the purpose of this COM
munication to air, in extenso, my con-
victions. For while they are strong
enough to compel my obedience, they are
not. in my opinion, of sufficient impor-
lance to justify a gratuitous bowling of
them in the public ear, just at a time
when we have quit politics and gone to
work. -. $40 -s fHE
One thing, however, is certain. If
democracy is DESTROYS Of future, it must
turn over a new leaf 1t must unload the
dreary and Improbable traditions of dead
eras, and take aboard few ideas. What
do we care about the past? If
we go back at all, why stop this side of
| Pericles? The best way to honor the past
is by catching the inspir alton of the
present. Pretty soon we will put our feet
upon the threshold of the twentieth cen~
fury. The world moves-ideas novel!
There are thirty eight states i'll the Union;
and will be fifty, perhaps. For all
national purposes, under the constitution,
this is Nation, and with big N. The
credit of the governments sky high; and
don't let's lie about it, and say it isn't.
Our notes are the equivalent Of gold, both
at home and abroad. Greenbackism is
dead; fatmoneyism is dead. What pity
the democracy can't claim the honor of its
murder? Nevertheless, it is its privilege
to attend the obsequies, and see that it is
buried beyond resurrection; and mean
while quit congratulating greenbackism
upon ephemeral successes, and claiming
them as sfgreat democratic victories"
Quit setting 'springes to catch wood
cocks.' ..The American people are not
darned FOOL n'
They are not to be gulled by the
hollow pageantry of politics. They know
political Rip YAM Winkleism when they
see it. And while they may admire it for
its spectacular effects, they are not visibly
moved by its tawdry and spartycolored
vestments. We have just witnessed a
campaign in which no democratic orator
assigned a solitary substantial reason why
there should be change just at this
iuncture. But, instead, we behold once
great party crawling over the continent on
its belly, disfguring private property with
a 329 midnight brand, and only stopping
long enough in semi-oc occasional way, to
catch its breath, and howl ';centralzation:''
a howl, it must be admit ted, possessing a
| delightful flavor of originality and fresh
!, ness, since it begunwith great vigor in
~ Washington's time, and has been kept up,
at intervals, ever since. 1t seems to nae
e that it proceeds from those who under
!, estimate the intelligence and character OF
$ the American people, So far ash am
concerned feel entirely safe.a This is
not an age calculated to foster :monarchi-
j, cal systems, except it. be the monarchism
e of brain. The tendency is otherwise
Y 1uC SCuOOiI1dSUSE ISs dDIOdV, Inc news
: paper is abroad; so are railroads, tele,
graphs, postoffices, and frequent elections
The north is just as jealous of local self
: government as we are, the issue beins
y pressed. They love liberty just as well
They are business from head to foot; ant
the essential Characteristic of business i
v, conservatism; for business is but anothe
le name for capital. They haven't got tim
4 4 to hate anybody. So let's drop tn
sounding brass OF politics, and fight owe
en- the tariff and other questions of politico
N economical nature. This is the wav /
Of split the solid north, as well as the soli
e south; and the time has arrived when tn
&c south may safely divide. Let's bot
~ preach and practice the utmost tolera
st tion-Yhe largest Intellectual liberty an,
4 freedom of conscience in politics and re
E ligion. It's the true civilization. TIL
pt party which can not stand this deserve
Is to have stone tied around its neck, an
06i tumbled into the Atlantic. The mos
e damnable and accursed of all despotism
d. is that which enslaves the better part c
!. man, his mind and conscience AS th
= ''land of the free and the home of tn
brave" we become, under such system,
Uhac Il tho