Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-10-11
HOPE AND PROMISE


a most exalted position at the hands of Demo
cratic convention. Endorsed and confirmed by the
greeting given me tonight, is my solace for every
| defeat, my reward for every triumph, memory Of
the past that will never fade an incentive 10 hon
wanting As the Democratic nominee, selected as
candidate to represent the metropolitan district
gress with far more than usual unanimity, by a
convention of delega es who, in point OF worth,
intelligence and respectabity, have not been sur
passed by the representatives in any popular as
semblage ever called in this State, I feel deeply
and keenly the difficulties and embarrassments
which surround me in the position which Oecu-
py. / am charged with the most important and
delicate duties, and am painfully disturbed by
the apprehension that may not in the judgment
of many, meet the most reasonable requirements of
the occasion, nor re pond to the most indulgent
party demands or least exacting public expecta-
lions. We are at an era anomalous in the political
history of Tennessee-and, indeed, in that OF the
entire eountry-in many important respects and
in many striking particulars. We are confronted
with political conditions which never before eX-
lsted In this NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. never in tis State
To meet and overcome the difficulties growing ont
OF these facts imposes task not of easy perform
ance. but the undertaking is rendered more diff
cult by personal and
PUBLIC CONSIDERATIONS AND INFLUENCES
so closely and intimately blended that an entire
separation of them is scarcely possible. SHALL
however, disconnect them as far as possible and
questions proper for public discussion,
though the temptation to pursue a far different
sense of propriety. That / have abundant cause
to oyerstretch the restraints imposed by of
to passion and resentment, will not be doubted by
anyone acquainted with the manner in which this
against me, unless he be wanting in the proper
sensibilites of gentleman. confess that it re
quiIes something of sacrifice, something of self
denial to refrain from returning in kind some of
the blows that have been vigorously and liber
that sound and healthy public sentiment could
either be created directed by the and vul
ism of the Backyard the methods OF the prize
ring or the language Of the fish market. have
public support could be far better upheld and
maintained by invoking mems judgment and
infiaming their passions and sivins force
to their prejudices. L have alway vs. thought
marked by clearly drawn and distinctive princi-
pies and theories of governmental economy and
than the pothouse and discussed upon q higher
plane than that fixed by the demagogue and the
the right to have and enjoy his own political
views and opinions. and to all the opponents 1
have ever met the further right to courteous and
dignifed discussion OF them. Hence, in all of
MY POLITICAL CONTESTS
have given offense to no man In the advocacy OF
my views nor in the condemnation OF his; and
however strong the provocstion, shall not offend
by departing from the rule I have heretofore OBJ
served unless driven to do so by considerations
gard. Now, that there is general in the field 10
conduct operations, Isuppose L may aatter my
whackers will siacken theiT fire on me for awhile
and allow him TO do battle with me alone. But
before they retire and leave the contest to him 1
suppose they will turn to him all the weapons
and ammEnitian they have been using so freely
want the fire concentrated and delived from one
point j want all hands of them, the young sol
dier aud the old one. the regular and the bush
yhacker TO bring all their engines of war, pop
guns, blow guns. collmb sds and other weapons TO
1 can't return the shot OF every stranger, but 1
Will try to send back every fired by the chief.
can'tmeet every Don Quixote who mounts his
ROSeuante shield
the lists, but whenever the knight chosen To meet
shall be ready TO Lift it. Let ali the conditions
which are TO be utilized Tor my defeat be forInu-
lated aud placed in his hands. Let all the oDjec-
tions thatare to be urged against me be given to
him, and whenever lie presents them / shall be
ready to meet and aAswer them and II do not
ment the public nay pronounce. shall not be
able in the space Of an hanr, the time allowed me
~ me III ~ y yaFy e possby Of what VIZ
be expected 70 say in presenting the issues of
A CAMPAIGN JUST OPENING,
and which in many respects will be 0ae OF much
interest and Importance not only TO the pnpiie OF
and m yseif, but shall endeavor te give general
outline of the principles that are involved and
cal parties are divided in opinion. Having new
opponent. one have not had the pleasure of
meeting in Joint political discussion ON any pre-
vious OCCASION am not in possession OF his indi-
vidual views in respect TO any of the questions we
20 SlSegs scetd BY ss p nor avn
advised of the line of argument he will pursue
in presenting them, butt ume that he viii not
wander very far from the old worn and beaten
path which Republican orators have plodded
along with such easy assurance ana eomPlaiis;ant
history. may however. nope Tor. ana even ex- |
Thai Judge smith cannot arord, gith his high |
and acknowledged ability, 10 resoEt 10
these devices and subterfuges under which men Of
smaller oaliber too often take shelter when |
driven from the held of fair, intellectual ana |
manly COZ troversy. | an sure may expect from |
him no argument which viii De either discredita-
Bile for him to make or for me TO answer. think |
betting an intellectual and cultured gentleman,
and not masquerade through the district in the |
ienesoene. In ignorance, however. OF the reasons
which he will give for his political fifth. and the
orinciples or hiS party and in vindication of its
conduct and pracnceS an left to conjecture,
md will answer as best car the speech assume !
ne will make. And this think / can inoge nearly 1
oretell by reason OF having heard him, in few /
1rief remarks accepting his nomination, repeat i
ome of the stereotypea Hlspsodies IN common l
Use when
THE REPUBLICAN rARIY
md its principles under discussion and it is
Ieeired 10 infuse the faithful with the amount of
Eery esrI passIi ON that occasion he adopted a
obriquet bestowed on every party that has had an
i England was beheaded, and lovingly called ii
he grand old party of patriotism and progress,
God ever accomplished by any political organiza-
ion in this country: that We are indebted to it |
4
fog all OF greatness wealth, psosJess and happi-
less which the American people have aehiSyed in
he hundred years and more of their national life
he good claimed 10 have been wrought by this
arty-its grand achievements in governmental
cience and political economy-are usually SUM-
narized somewhat after the style of the following
ozmula: That the Republican ideas and theories |
ased and In accordance with which it can be
est administered for The oh. ects and purposes of
IS creation that the most prosperous periods of
ur history are those during which those ideas |
iere IN the ascendancy and that our most rapid
dyancenenlt IVES driven forward by the stimulus
their prompdngs and influence; that it fought
De war of the REBELLION, or for frecoem, loyal |
.epu blicans choose 10 call our
UNFoRTUHATE CIVIL STRIFE,
hitch was precipitated by causes which neither |
republicans nor Democrats created, and which |
leir LOYALTY patriotism and coursge preserved |
" life of the nation, secured the subsequent |
nity of the States gave freedom 70 the slaves and
,taDlished the sublime doctrine OF universal and
erpetual liberty in all the vast area over which
Re American flag liftsits starry folds That when |
ost vigorous foreign policy, the safest and most
able system of finance and revenue The country |
az eyer had, under which we have attained 70 |
,eatncSs and prosperity unexampled IN any PERIOD
our history and finally il is claimed by the Re
1blican party that il rounded up and completed
great work by placing the ballot, the weapon of
eedorfi in the hands OF the enfranehised slave.
Or these things they fondly cali themselves the {
yrand old party and demand at every recurring
ection 1t the hands OF a credulous and indulgent
,ople a renewal of their hold upon the agencies
POLITICAL power. ! do not intend TO denounce
vicieus and wicked all Of the few principles =
poA which the creed of the Republican party Is