The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-08-27

the independent or disaiiected vote" OF Will
hanson County or any OF It's districts
| remember that In the course OF con
yersation with some OF the gentlemen
whom met there one OF them made some al
fusion TO the vote cast at the primary on tht
day before; spoke Of the relative strength DE.
yeloped BY the respective candidates, and u
do not err, this led TO Il discussion IN which
| some computation was made OF theentlIe
vote OF the county. But nothing said on this
head was suggested By me; made no memo
randum Of any such statement and have nc
recollection OF the figures" While In Frank
lin saw only six or eight gentlemen. held
conversation upon railroad matters win bul
three or four OF these. This talk was In the
tlonal bank, and, believe. he was present
during tho whole OF II. Ny conversation
was principally with Judge Wallace, who
Is, ! believe, a member OF the Board o.
Railway Assessors, aud Mr. Atha Thomas
the state Treasurer. These gentlemen crit
cised the action OF the railroad corpora
tions In cOntesting the recent assessment
| OF their properties, and we drifted into somt
discussion OF the Railroad Commission.
| trust said nothing which they deemed OBJ
| jec,ionable; and although we differed In
as well as ability with which they eI
| pressed their own. am sure that your cor
respondents letter III they have seen III has
surprised them as much as II has me. No
citizen OF Frank in advised me TO go back
home and remain there" and not NEEDLE
with affairs in Tennessee. Such a speech,
with no more reason for Its utterance than
my conduct Afforded would have been a
coarse and gratuit0us insult, OF which no
Tennessean have yet seen could be capable.
Nor was my visit TO franklin made with
any hope or purpose OF affecting in any re-
spect the canvass or the legislative election.
! purp0sely postponed II until after the
primary election had been held, and enter
tanned no sudacious plan OF arraying and
utilizing the independent or disaiiected
vote"
The paper to which have already alluded,
upon the strength OF this letter OF your CORE.
spondent, has edit0rially advertised me as
one who can be persuaded to come into q
democratic state 10 uphold the banner Of
Brownlow. now descended into the hands OF
llouk, and II expresses sorrow that have
so far overstepped the bounds OF prOpriety"
should have cause for profound regret Il /
were so ignorant OF either the prophecies OF
political conduct, or the decenties of social
liie that stood in need Of such teacher.
The insinuation that | have attempted to
aid In the defeat Of the Democratic candi-
dates for the Legislature, elect Republicans
or induce a condition OF things which would
imperil the Democratic control OF Tennessee
IS as absurd as IL Is untrue. The specific
charges that have cOunseled action looking
70 that end are false. II not, 1t should be
easy to prove them. ! have conferred with
very few people upon railroad matters in my
visits to tennessee. II have urged any man
here to do anything which will injure the
Democratic party 10 vote for Republican, to
beat regular nominee with an independent,
to assist In revolt or disorganization, the fact
ought TO be easily ascertained. II any gen.
tleman with whom | have spoken remem-
bes that have so offended, / trust that he
Will not hold the suggestion confidential and
feel bound In honor not to diyuge 1t.
am accused OF having attempted some
thing OF this sort at the Democratic Conven-
ton at Tullshoma, where remained for one
day on my way to McMinnyille.
mentioned the railroad question but to
one gentleman while there, and that was sim
ply 10 ask him what was the sentiment of his
people regarding Railroad Com mission. 1t
is true that while there the kindness OF the
assembled delegations made me more promi-
nent than deserved or desired. Several gen.
tlemen insisted that should go upon the
stand. ] would have declined the proifered
compliment, but that II was so warmly and
cordially urged, that declination would have
been churlish. without the slightest expec.
tation upon my part that would be SO hon.
ored, the Chairman introduced me TO the
convention In terms which touched me more
profoundly, becaused they conveyed an elo-
quent tribute to my slain and heroic com.
mander. The manner in which 1t was re.
| ceived and | was welcomed can never for
get. None but boor or All migrate could
have failed to make some response. ] strove
| to tell the qualification | felt so sincerely
but am sure that did not abuse the kindly
| sentiment shown me, by any utterance un-
becoming the occasion and my audience.
| have not attempted interference In the
political affairs OF Tennessee. | certainly
have had no thought OF influencing the
election OF Legislators. But representing In
| some measure the great railroad properties
| which lie partially In Tennessee, and whose
interests will be directly affected by the rail.
road legislation which is contem plated, |
have sought, In pursuance of what | con.
ceiyed to be duty owed them by some one
| In their service to use all fair argument and
legitimate effort, TO modify prejudice or hos.
| tlity, II either existed, upon the part of the
| people toward them. would not hesitate to
do this In Kentucky, In Tennessee or in any
| improper methods and political intrigues
feel no self.reproach, and will not acKnowl.
edge the right OF newspapers to publish me
as participant In things culpable or inviting
| condemnation.
In the prosecution of this business shall
not hesitate TO employ temperance and IA.
| tional remOnstrance against measures which
| believe obstructive and injurious not only
| Ia the interests OF the railroad CORPORA
| tons, but OF the people as well. Firmly con.
WINGED that the prosperity and development
OF the southern states depend upon an in.
| that the railroad construction, which can
alone furnish such facilities, will be impeded,
| II not altogether prevented, by such legisla.
| ton as has been urged in Tennessee, / will
do all can, by the presentation OF facts and
reasons TO the attention of the people, to in.
duce moderate counses and friendly policy
| In itsstead. Believing that Railroad Com mis-.
sions never effect the purposes for which they
| are created; that they do much harm and no
good that they cost the corporations great
loss, without any benefit to the people that
they lead to confusion, litigation, bitterness
and disappointment, shall always oppose
| them, and not the least OF my objections TO
| them is that they take the place of general
laws, which might be enacted for the healthy
| regulation of railroads, | have not and /
snail not reflect upon those who differ with
| me, for deem denunciation no aid TO n
| proper understanding of these matters. But
will not allow denunciation and calumny
/ to deter me from the decent and legitimate
| exercise OF just right
II is said that | have not been invited into
| tennessee by The official head of Tennessee
Democracy" Very true, | have neither
| asked nor received such invitation. Nor have
isOncited, nor have been granted by any
| Journalistic censor or autocrat, permission to
enter the State, nor leave to speak; but |
elaim that every individual, and every asso.
citation OF individuals, Is entitled to do that
which is necessary to the assertion and main.
tenance OF their property rights. They may
do 1t directly or by their authorized agents.
They cannot be debarred from asking the
protection OF the courts II they be injured by
an act for which the laws provide a remedy.
They should not, and rightfully cannot be
inhibited protest and decent opposition to
legislation which threatens injury or ruin to
their interests. The railroad corporations hon.
estly believe that their business and prom.
erty will be very seriously impaired II virtu.
ally placed under the control and manage.
ment OF three officials who do not practically
understand the business, and have no such
interest in the property as will insure that
careful conduct which proprietary interest
only induces.
The Democracy vi ich have been taught
does not condemn, but inculcates this belief,
one OF It's essential doctrines is that all classes
OF citizens and every character of pecuniary
interest, shall be equally protected by the
laws and subjected to like and uniform con.
troll. Judicial regulation, justice admins
tered by the courts, and the largest freedom
OF individual action, the c0mpletest control
OF property by its owner, are the distinguish.
Ing characteristics Of the American theory of
government. Special commissions which
shall exercise arbitrary control over the prom.
erty OF the citizen, prescribe his conduct and
determine the prices OF his commodities or
his services, are more akin to the monarchical
systems OF the Old World.
But In any aspect Of the case, why should
the railroad companies be denied the priv.
!ege OF seeking TO avert, by fair argument.
legislation which they believe to be fnimicai
10 them, when all other persons are permitted
such action.
Railroad Commissioners may influence
legislators 70 give them authority to manage
vNtTh tnh loo.