The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-08-21

the fiddle strings OF opposition TO BOB .
Taylor, with touch which it hopes |
was artistic and graceful. 1t now
turns with much pleasure and it hopes !
not without skill 10 drawing the long
bow of explanation across those same
strings.
We have preferred the harmoniN
con, we admit. Quite an overpow'
ering many of singers and players up
on instruments OF Democratic pitch
and quality have decreed that the
first fiddle shall lead the harmony.
So there's sweet and harmonious Dem>
ocratic music III the air 1t makes no
difference.
Our preference for the harmoni,
con grew out of the fact that we are
thoroughly master OF that instru-
ment. Our touch has been greatly
admirec. We know all its stops.
Our technique has been the envy Of
/ all organisls. Our style on the har-
monicon has been the wonder of mas
tiers. But we greatly admire the td'
die, and we are no SLOUGH in handling
that exquisite instrument.
Why should the fiddle follow the
harmouicon? Why should BoD's fid.
die play second fiddler 1t is our re-
vised opinion that the fiddle should
go first. We are perfectly willing to
tune our harmonicon to the democrat
ic concert pitch of Bob's fiddle.
Or we are willing to dance. Any
thing to please Democrats. Tuue up;
strike up Rack back Davy," Rye
Straw" Or "Old Granny and here
We 60 with the double-shuffle demo-
cratic step.
1t is true that the first steps may
be trife awkward aud we may re-
mind the spectators of the man in the
story of the Magic Fiddle who danced
most unwillingly and not altogether
hilariously in the middle Of BRAN.
BILE bush. 1t doesn't matter; we
shall catch the step and the spirit Of
it as we go. And we shall learn to
like it.
And, after all, while Bob was not
our choice, his iddling is good. There
isn't too much of his political career
and record, but what there is of it
was brilliantly executed, animated
and spirituelle. In anecdotal trans.
6xiOn Of Republican foes he is un-
surpassed.
We regarded Bob'S nomination un.
wise because he lacked political exper-
rience and because his record is a
blank beyond single brilliant sue
cess and one term III congress. That
objection has been removed. We are
glad to be able 10 announce this be-
cause it enables US to yield a frank,
cheerful and hearty support. The
man who organized and, with the aid
of the young democracy of Tennessee,
carried out the movement which cul-
minated in his nomination, and at
the same time observed the require,
ments of civil service reform, can no
longer be said to lack political expe-
rience or a record the oldest and ablest
politician might we'll be proud Of.
Bob has lived a political decade and
gained a decades experience within
: the past two weeks.
The only other objection we made
, was upon the brother question. That
} objection was made before Bob's nom.
ination. 1t WAS right-then. Now
f it is quite otherwise. Bob is now his
, brothers equal in respect to candida.
r cy, aud it is ss much Alf's business to
r get out of Bob's way as it is BOb'S to
! clear Alf's track. They are at least
t equal. ALI can resign. He can steer
A clear of Bob. ALT is the elder. II
s is his duty to humor his younger
r brothers. fancy for the governOrship.
l.. If Tennessee, gazing at the wranglinG
r of her two sons, should beg Bob Il
: give the governorship to ALT to keel
/. him quiet, Bob, having it practically
|. in hand, may well say, II want it Il
8 keep me quiet"
q These are our views. They may
e not be precisely logical or coherent
D but under the circumstances We hop,
il our readers will excuse US.
n And if they think we are in a fl
and feel disposed to waste sympathie
OH us, in our generosity and under al
impulse of humanity, we beg then
to re member what sost of fix our es
teemed contemporary the Appeal
in.-Memphis Avalanche.
l. The Courier. Journal nuhlishes nor