The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-11-15
MoRRisrowx, Tenn.

our young Democracy, who rejoice
over the great National victory that
has come to bless us, write this
hasty note to thank yoS, and through
you, to thank my many warm friends
in the upper counties for your and
their earnest, cordial and hearty sup
port in the late contest.
| tried to make fair, honest and
manly canvass, and have reason to
believe it was satisfactory to the hon
est and patriotic people of bothparties.
said nothing am ashamed of did
nothing that J regret.
But the result of the election has
impressed on my mind the conviction
that money and fSlsehoods when skill,
fully used, are potent factors in modern
politics. Many weak-mindcd, un-
informed Republicans suffered them
selves to be persuaded to vote against
me for the sake OF the pody no;
knowing, that in voting for my com
petitor, they were giving their party T.
dradlier stab Others voted agajns
me because they permitted themselye.
to believe the mean falsehoods invent
cd by Brownlow, Reeves and other
and secretly retailcd and disseminate.
over the country by their base follow
ClS.
A few, both Republicans and Dem.
ocrats, am told, actually sold theil
votes and their influence for money, oi
for the promise Ola petty Office. Some
il not all, the Post Office officials il
the district, played the partisan, re
gardless OF their duties to the public
and their oaths Of office, and mai
matter addressed to my friends wa.
suppressed and delayed, and ia som,
instances, was never delivered unit
after the election.
But, when reflect that in the try
: ing time Of the revolution, BritisI
! gold could reach and seduce some VIII,
3 were near the person and shared th
confidence of the great Washington
> il need not be surprising, when yenaI
: ity and corruption pcrvaded the Yer.
air We breathed, that, in the late can
= vass, in various parts Of the di,
, let, few men were found hereto
i FIRE calling themselves Democrats
. some Of whom had given me person;
!, assurance of their support, and .
whom | leaned with confidence, VIII
:. ere unable to withstand the tcmtI
! ii ms which the ring nj g corrul
"a tionists were able to hold out /
e them.
u Ii our Savior himself did not escal
!. tle envenomed Shaft of slnndcr
At need not be wondered at, that cred
luus persons were found, who could
prevailed upon to believe Il
vile stories concocted by n m;
|. whom detected more than
al year ago in the preparation of
ot fraud involving the same kind
OF moral terpitude that larceny do
m m who has been guilty Of forgery
ad whom | have not recognized on t
les street or elsewhere for more th
ne ns twelve months past who employ
"a as his news vender and dissemna
90 Of falsehoods and innuendoes, mo
ny lrper of Falstaflian proportions a
49, 80 accomplishments;who himself Offer
,rs to prove to me two years ago that
ald' resent employer and master was
me ~, thief.
rry y But am not disheartened or
his INFLATED | have with me the c
use sciousnesS of duty well performed, {
VI ! have earned the esteem and tho c
zen fdence Of the honest people OF
me District 70 crafty my friends
lol- consented two years ago to make
Of race. My promise to them is rcdc
,ect Cd and now acting upon the VIII
'm- some advice of the great Cardinal !
ne ne ad
III -"Sounded all the depths and shoals Of hol
,;rl fling away ambition" and ret
eve to the humble walks where "yiltu
on It's own reward"
ttie To my party return its banner
the Alllicd. While could not lead i
| as victory, haven't led it to shame OF
my honor and hattcr myself that al
nios the line OF march | have scatt
G it. some seeds OF thought that have
S as all fallen in stony ground. In
.1 pn davs to come. under the dews of n
s of Ory and the warmth ol reflection, |
e OF seeds will germinate and bring
ne some an hundred fold in the great
M hn' vest field of truth.
er is go out OF politics with clean h
can and 3 conscience void of uti'ense.
. .na' my retirement shall carry with
ever grateful remembrance Of the stca'
him Jealous support which my y
'v"i hearted, country-loving friends
JILL. Wv, me. Their earnest luhors in m,
half were without fee or "the hoI
lcward,' gave that which results