The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-07-09
Ante -Bellum Politics in Tennessee.
Bristol, Tenn.

Ante -Bellum Politics in Tennessee.
Here in East Tennessee we had a
man who was just coming into prom
lnence when the old whig party gave
up the ghost. We refer to the late
Judge Thomas A. r. Nelson, who died
in Knoxville in 1873. When aroused,
few men could move an audience
more profoundly than Thomas A. R.
Nelson. His eloquence was empha
sized by an earnestness which carried
conviction with irresistible power and
directness, and thousands have been
thrilled by his inimitable appeals. To
the day Of his death he never lost his
admiration for the whig party, Rev.
N. G. Taylor, who still lives in Garter
county, in this State, was known far
and wide as an eloquent stump-speak-
er and his services were always in de-
mand.
Among those whose services in the
whig party will be remembered we
must not forget the late Horace May
nard. He made his debut in politics
in 1852, when he was elected on the
Scott electoral ticket and canvassed
the district with Judge Thomas c.
Lyon. They were both men of large
ability, and the canvass was interest
ing. With Mr.. Maynard's subsequent
career our readers are familiar. He
was able, eloquent, always cool and
deliberate, never thrown off his guard,
He never had superior as a debater
in the State.
There were men OF mark also in the
ante-bellum Democracy OF Tennessee
also. The State was equally enough
divided, and the full capacity Of the
leaders on both sides was developed.
We will not speak Of cold Hickory"
who was twice elected President and
then dictated his successor in the per-
son of Martin Van Buren, but will
come down to a later period. The
contest Of 1910 was remarkable for the
vigor with which it was conducted.
Log cabins, coons, hard cider, "Tippe-
canoe-and-Tyler-too" campaign song"
the never-to-be-forgotten democratic
rooster and other devices, will never
be forgotten by those who wero then
living. The wings carried Tennessee
by decisive majority.
James K. Polk was then prominent
in the State, if not so widely known
outside OF Tennessee. He was a pop
ular, forcible and polished public
speaker, exercising great influence
over his audiences, and was a man
of far greater ability, perhaps, than
he got credit for before his election
to the Presidency. Mr. Polk's moral
character was unassailable, and in this
respect he was superior to a majority
of the public men Of his day
Aaron V. Brown was strong mar
on and off the forum. His fighting
qualities were unsurpassed, and hi'
blews were felt by his opponents Al
, governor of his State and as postmas
ter-general under Mr.. Buchanan, hi
| discharged his official duties with fl
r deity and marked ability. Gave
Johnson was also power in Tennes
see Democracy, and in recognition o
his invaluable party servicer he wa
y made postmaster-general by Presiden
Polk, Hon. A. 0. P. Nicholson, WHIT
. held various important positions, in
\ cludldg that Of United States Senator
and who died while holding the posi-
ton OF chief-justice of the suprem
bench Of the State, was recognized
democratic leader.
s In East Tennessee, Andrew johnson
It fought the battles of the democrati
party for years almost single-hande'
It and alone. This was stronghold G
e whiggery, but Johnson generally won
|, The nearest he ever came being beate,
o for congress was by Hon. 0. P. Temple
d now postmaster at this place. hi
t. campaign against know-nothingisr
s was remarkable for its bitterness, an
he defeated his oponent, Meredith
r Gentry, by anarrow margin. He wa