Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-12
MEMPHIS APPEAL
TUESDAY, +: SEPTEMBER 12, 1882
HAWKINS HACKED.

HAWKINS HACKED.
The Republican candidate for governor
sees the handwriting upon the wall. His
visit 10 East Tennessee, the stronghold OF
the Republican party in Tennessee, has not
been satisfactory. Indeed, Hawkins e1-
presses his Disappointment by explaining the
cause of the small crowds that turn out 10
greet him. II he meets with such cold COM
fort among his friends, what may he expect
when he visits The two Democratic sections
Of Middle and West Tennessee. In prepar-
ing for the Campaign the Hawkins, Beasley
and RUSSELL combustion were saDguine, bold
and defant. They commenced the grand
invasion with rs much pomp IS Napoleon
commenced his march TO Moscow. The big
shows that are now strolling over the South
announce in large posters and ADVERTISE
ments that they have six big clrcuses,
six big museums, six big menagerles,
six aoquariums-all under ak big tents>
and one price of admission. In start
ing out the Hawkins combination initiated
the example of the Snowman by announcing
that their show was composed OF three big
speakers. representing three big parties, I'M
der three big canvasses-admission 10 all
free. But the show did not draw. Never
were three candidates for governor 10 any
State in this Union greeted with such beg
carly amount of empty benches. The cara
van no where in East Tennessee created the
least enthusiasm. Hawkins, aided by Punch
aud Judy, could not draw crowd even IN
the strongest Republican counties, and it is
not surprising that he is n1orose, glum and
moody. How strangely does his present hu-
initiation contrast with his sudacity when, on
his return TO Tennessee after the war, he COM
menced persecu ing and blaclmsiling the dis
armed aud ragged CODfederates. be never
fred gun during the war, but SO coon az the
rebels had surrendered he came nome Win
malice in his hear, wrath upon his brow,
aud com IN euced his war upon the men he
was too cowardly to face n battle. Inc
rebels commenced the work oil reeuperatinS
their ehaitered fortunes, and relied upon the
maguanimify OF the c-Hqueror. In this lhey
were not disappointed, SO far as the Federal
soldier was concerned. But Alvin Hawkins
a non-combatant, who fed at the approach
of armed rebels, proposed to redeem his
reputation for cowsrdice, and he commenced
a brutal war upon the defenseless rebels. He
swooped down upon them as a hawk does
upon frightened covey Of partridges. He
dragged men from their families, regardless
of the formalities OF law, sat upon their
cases as Judge and jury, and blackmailed
them, not in proportion to the crimes they had
committed or their disloyaliy 10 the govern
meni, bat solely in proportion to their ability
10 contribute TO his avarice. A legion of
fends could not have shown more malignity
toward the rebels than Alvin Hawkins ex-
hiblted. And yet these boilers tell us that it
i vile and sh ameful to allude to the record
of such a man! Nobody cares for Hawkins's
Union proclivities. The rebels and those who
sympaibizsd with them care no more for
what HaH kius did and said during the war
than they do for the conduct OF General
Hancock and Horace Greeley, whom they |
voted for president. But they can never be |
induced to contribute 10 the election of |
man like Alvin Hawkins, who after the war |
robbed and plundered his neighbors. Ac-
cording to the logic of the boilers, who are |
working in the interest of Hawkins, six
teen years, like the statute of limitation,
is a bar TO pleading a public mans
record. He may have been guilty OF
burglary, arson, borse-stealing and black
mail, but he is purified by the lapse
Of sixteen years. Time never makes honest
men out of villains. II the knave who I'M
ieTtook to blackmail DR.. Dix in New York
were a candidate twenty or fifty years from
now, the people would hiss tine blackmailer
from the canvass, and the Democracy of
Tennessee will never again by their divisions
elect Alvin Hawkins, the bIackmailer, gov
ernor of the State.