Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-07-21
HUNTSVILLE, ALA.
The Second Contest Between General
Joseph Wheeler and "Greenback-
Independent" Lowe.
There Will be 40 Mistake This Time
Roth Parties VIII Work for Undis-
puted MajoritIes.



| Special Correspondence of the Appeal
HUNTSVILLE, ALA, July 19.-One of the
most interesting of all the impending politi-
| cal contests is the election which is about to
take place for congressman in the Eighth
Alabama district. The Independent move
ment that has broken out in every State 10
the South has also appeared in Alabama,
and now aided by the whole power of the
administration is bending every effort to
elect Congressman from this district. 1t is
very natural that the people OF the South
should view with suspicion all independent
candidates, for SO far every candidate of this
kind has formed a coalition with the Repub-
lican party or has gone over TO that party as
a complete ofhce-holding convert. The same
holds true here. In 1875 Mr.. Lowe was de-
feated as a Democrat, and in 1873 he was
elected as Greenbacker. The Greenback-
ers in Congress are virtually Republicans,
and on all questions of the day at all i'm
portant to the Republicans as a party in
variably sided with them. Mr.. Lowe's
course has not differed much from that of the
ordinary Greenbacker, and it is no matter Of
surprise to either friends or foes that
Republican administration is more
than willing to see him returned
to Congress in place of d Democrat whose
seat has Just been awarded him. In 1850
General Isseph Wheeler Was elected to Con-
grses from this district, and his seat at
once contested by VIM. NJ. Lowe on the
ground of fraud in the election The case
was referred to the Committee on Contested
Elections and by them referred to sub.
committee OF i've, composed of three Repub-
Rehabilitation of Wisconsin, Ranney of
Massachusetts,, Thompson of Iowa one Read
ulster, Paine of Virginia; and one Democrat,
Beltzhoover of Pennsylvania. The report was,
in, Mr. ruatuf arr htrf IL
10 General Wheeler that some members of
the committee, among them Pettibone him.
self, refused to sign it. Contested elections
in Congress are political and not judicial
questions. Mr.. Lowe has not held his seat
long enough to enjoy the fruits of his Repub-
lican tendencies, but he is now again COM
PEELED to submit his claims TO the people of
his district. The Eighth congressional dis
trict is composed of eight counties-Ja ckson,
Madison, Franklin, Morgan, Limestone,
Lawrence, Lauderdale- and Colbert. The
population of the district is about $50 900, of
whom large half are Democrats, the
rest being Republicans and Greenbackers,
in tae proportion of three to one. The Demo-
cratic party is making ready for the strug
gle with a full appreciation of the inn
portance of the result. If the strength OF
the party Is unequal to the task of carrying
a district in a strongly Democratic State,
even against the power of the administra-
ton, then the party will become thoroughly
over the entire country, and
the chances of presidential success in 1854
grow smaller as the time approaches. Mr..
Lowe will be the Republican Greenbaek-
Admlnistr alton candidate, but it is difficult
to say who will be selected to lead the Demo-
cratic party in the fight. The candidates
mentioned are Mr.. Luke Pryor, of Lime
stone, law partner of Governor Houston,
and appointed by the governor of Alabama
TO fill the place in the Senate till an election
could be held. In addition to his the names
most commonly mentioned are Mr.. Sam
Blackwell, OF Morgan, prominent and in
iuential merchant, and Mr.. Jesse Brown and |
Mr.. William H. Robinson, both lawyers Of |
standing and ability in Jackson. But none
IF these gentlemen have been officially |
brought forward, and there is little likei- |
hood of any one wishing to contest the nomi- |
nation with General Wheeler, who |
made such gallant and plucky fight both |
1t home and in Congress for his seat. The
interest that centers around the election ex-
ends beyond the people OF North Alabama,
md its result will be taken as comparatively |
ecisive of the fate that awaits the so-called
Independent movement that is SO anxiously
ostered in the South by the opponents OF
Democracy. General Joseph Wheeler is one
t the most interesting figures in Southern
'olitics. 1t has been one of the wonders of
he South that the most dashing leaders in
var have been the most conservative in peace
nd politics. Hampton, of South Carolina;
Daniel, of Virginia; Bate, of Tennessee, and
pNeal, of Alabama, are all noted for having
cen unusually gallant in battle, and all OF
hem belong to the liberal conservative wing
the Democratic party, and all are leaders
4 their respective States. General Wheeler
las one OF the most brilliant generals of the
and was especially noted for
be bravery and dash of his leadership. He
as now brought 10 bear the same character
,tics in his political course which made him
general at twenty-five years OF age. He is
,oked on with the same confidence in his cour-
&c and unwavering nerve that followed him
/ the war. OF all figures in political
fe he is most fitted TO be leader
the liberal Democracy that is. TO
I'VE the South from the corruptions
nd disgraces OF Republican domination.
Ie is filled with large ideas of liberal politics
nd advocates a policy that is to advance
lie material and social prosperity of the
outh, and at the same time sweep beyond
lie narrow bounds of sectional limits and
lhance the whole country as equal party of !
e perfected Union. 1 had, few days ago, !
, opportunity of hearing and seeing Gen. :
al Wheeler. l had heard of his being the ,
'upgest Geutenant-general OF the Confed- !
", =
unit Instead of this he is rather small, .
rhaps five feet seven inches in hight. He :
3 a nervous, restless movement, and
anges quickly from one point to another.
is hair is rather long, curling at the ends
d pushed back behiad his ears. His beard v
full, strongly sprinkled with white, and S
though only forty-five years Of age, he APP q
airs at distance to be about ten years d
Ter. His face has a fresh olive complexion, T
looks remarkably youthful from beneath o
! heavy, iron-gray beard. His eyes are c
~ light hazel, and are quick and flashing. ]
s voice in conversation is peculiarly b
I and pleasant and impressive,
be uses it with a rapidly of q
nervous and quick thinker. The whole
IRE strikes the observer as being attractive
gallant, and it is not difficult to believe il
It he was one OF the fiercest chargers and Il
of the truest friends and comrades of the L
ire war. The general opinion OF this sec h
n is that General Wheeler can carry the .
trict against the administration and Lowe | L
nbined. He is popular and energetic, | n
I if nominated he will make one of the Ii
al energetic canvassers ever known in | e,
State. The vote of the last election II
ID as follows: d
9uHties. Majority for Wheeler u
IS 269
II
gan HOS .
Total. ........................ ..:iss5 fl
ou7ties. Majority for LOIRE. NJ
go so
lestone. D.. ....-.. 1879 \,
4I6 :
ro.t 1oo1 =