Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-01-22
senator Bailey.
jackson Tribune and sun.

The only objection urged against
senator Bailey by ''loW-taX' repre-
sentativeS in the legislature, is that
he made strong speeches for the 90
compromise, and supported vigOr-
/ ously the regular democratic ticket
! in this state last November. They
do not seem to consider that State
credit democrats might just as well
object to any "low-taXN democrat
named for the same high position.
How will such views, if pressed,
ever be composed. 1t such objec-
tions obtain, and the state-credit
wing of the democratic party fol-
low the idea advanced by the sl0w
taxi wing, how is it possible for the
democracy to elect United States
Senator? Surely our ''low-tax''
brethren are not Offering a pfemi-
um for men who sat on the fence
while a most vital issue ct State
policy was being discussed. Ger
tainIy they are not manipulating to
reward men who had not the cour-
age of their opinions. Ne cannot
believe that they wish to honor
with the great Office of senator a
man who played fast atss1 loose with
both sides, who shirkeu and skulk-
ed from the most inlportA mt duty of
citizenship in an hoar of trial. and
who has no other claim on the de
m0cratic party than the colitempti-
BILE claim of non-cOmnitaifssa
Such IA policy, such an idea would
destroy all integrity in politics and
oil nj h
cannot think that our "iOW-tax"
brethren in the legislature are so
lost to duty, SO warped by prejudice
and SO madly bent on pitiful kind
of vengeance, as to vote against
man whose only crime was honesty
of opinion AMI boldness in 'advOcl-
ting the right as he saw it.
Senator Bailey is the John Bell of
the L. s. Senate. He is cool, he is
strong, he is able. Whenever he
speaks the senate listens. No Sena-
tor in one term ever made a higher
reputation. He is of Democrats the
soundest. His speeches are publish
ed and commented on throughout
the Republic. He is recognized as
one of the very ablest Of the demo-
cratic senators in congress. His rep
utation is national. Shall such a
man that has given Tennessee its
widest fame in the councils of the
republic since John Bell's time, the
man whose rank in the United
States Senate is of the very highest
shall such a man with his brain
and power, his transcendent abili-
ties for usefulness, be rebuked by
the democracy of Tennessee simply
because, like a man, he had the
courage of his opinions and was
brave enough to speak his honest
in an hour of the great
test peril to his State. If such a
man for such reason is to be bligh-
ted, God help uS in the future, God
protect the youth of the state train
ed at the fireside, in our churches
and schools in the way of honesty,
and steadiness in convictions of
duty.
In none of his speeches during any
of the exciting times in the state
was Senator Bailey harsh0r abusive.
He dealt with the question of the
hour like Il statesman. He called
iiO Httiu udIiCo, LOi IuuutSCu HI uI-
kind criticism. He spoke his views
bravely and strongly, but kindly,
and no man can lay sat his door
harsh word or hought.
Then why this prejudice against
him on the part of the ''low-tax"
democrats in the legislature Ger
tainly they would not put a cow
ard in his place. Certainly they
would not put knave in his place.
Then, If he is honest and brave and I
able, rs all must admit, why not re- /
turn him to the position he has so
Splendidly filed.
We assure "low-tax" democrats I
in the legislature that Bailey is the /
choice of the ''low-tax democracy !
Of this section for senator, and we
speak by the card. We could flood |
them with ''low-tax" petitions for |
his reelection, and we warn them |
that if their mad prejudice defeats 1
him, and a milk and cider democrat 1
is elected, or republican, that their |
wing offthe party in this end of the |
state is dead forever.