Blount County democrat. [volume] (Maryville, Tenn.) 1879-1883, 1882-10-19
WILL THE DEMOCRATS VOTE FOR
RULE2

For the first time within my knowl-
edge, the canvass for scat in the
Congress of the United States is
characterized alone by a discussion of
the relative personal merits of the
respective candidates. There is no
distinctive issue between the candi-
dates touching the political principles
upon the basis of which the affairs of
the nation should be administered.
Judge Houk is the candidate of the
regular Republican Convention, and
Mr.. Rule is.the Republican candidate
of the Republican opposition to Houk
both are, or claim to be, Republi-
cans; and heretofore both, it is con-
ceded, have been "Pharisees" of the
"most strictest sect" and it is alone
question between them as to who
shall control the patronage and offices
of this Congressional District. The
next member will be Republican,
whether he be Judge Houk or Mr..
Rule. What are the Democrats of
Blount county going to do? Will they
bolt in the election !? If so, for whom I?
L have no hesitancy in saying that
the Democrats of the county should
support Judge Houk, The warfare
now being made Oh him by Rule,
Thornburgh, Brownlow, Cooper. Cos
set & Co., is mean and hypoclitical
proceeding, in so far as the majority
Of that political co.partnership is
concerned. They charge Judge Houk
with getting drunk and neglecting
his business. The greater part of
their charges are shown to be false
by the testimony of prominent MEM
bers of Congress, both Republican
and Democratic, and that the charges
which are peddled out over the coun
try against Houk are the malicious
utterances Of personal enemies, and
Of men who desire again TO get into
place and power for their own per-
sonal gain. When were these par
venu moralists, Thornbmrg, Brown
low and Gossett constituted-or,
rather, when did they constitute
themselves censors over and correct
ors of the public morals and the pub
lie civil service? When did Rule,
Thornburg, Brownlow, Cooper, Cos
sett q Co. become opposed to the as
sessments upon otfice-holders for the
purpose of getting funds 10 run Re-
publican campaign? When was their
vIRTUoUs indignation aroused against
the corrupt use of money in influence
ing elections? When did they, "in
their heart of hearts" 10 use one of
Henry COoper's recent phrases), so
detest immortality in candidates for
office, and fraud and corruption in
conventions and Returning Boards,
TO find out that it was a patriotic
duty to cry aloud, expose and de-
nounce it? Was it when they were
engaged in the Presidential Steal
Was it when they were publishing as
a campaign document the speeches
of the notorious and blasphcmous in
fidel, Bob Hngersoll? Was it when
they were supporting for Congress
that libcrtine and blackguard, Ben.
Butterworth, of Cincinnati? Was il
when ThOrnburg wasi in Congress, or
a candidate for Congress When
Gossett was Sheriff, Rule Postmaster,
and the Coopers managing the Reve-
nue. department, with Andrews
a silent partner, and the loaves
and fishes all enjoyed by the
partnership? Or has that yIRruous
indignation only been aroused since
Houk cleaned out the stables, and cast
the thieves and moncy-changcrs out
Of the political temple at Knoxville? ?
Has not their patriotic zeal for civil
service reform originated since it
was decided TO run Rule for Con-
gress, aud since these assessments $50