National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-07-23

Congressman Petubone Tells why the
state Is Going Republicnn.

state Is Going Republican.
II seems likely that Tennessee is to take
the lead IN breaking up the solid south per-
manently. Congressman Pettibone, OF that
state, gives some reasons why, and the
same reasons apply to the probable change
OF Virginia and other southern states to the
Republican column before many years.
ave have every reason TO expect that we
will sweep the state this fall,' said MIR.
Pettibone. "The first reason Ia that the
people have come to O knowledge Of the
necessity of protecting their industries, and
they have found out that such protection is
not to he gotten from the Democratic party.
TENNESSEE is one of the richest states In
natural resources. All the minerals abound;
cotton is grown; and manufactures are
rising up on all sides. As the people grow
prosperous they see the phantom OF free
trade lowering over their industries, aud
they are determined TO drive 1t away. They
understand that II iron can be brought
from England and delivered in Tennessee
through pauper labor, their own iron must
inevitably remain In the earth. The fact Is.
that as they grow in intelligence aud pros
perity they see the foolshness of free trade
theories and will have none OF them. The
same may be said OF all growing communi-
ties In the south.
"Next, the Tennessee people are opposed
almost TO n man to the internal revenue
tax. They never would have given the
electoral vote Of the state 20 Cleveland were
IL not generally supposed that his advent
meant for them free dlstilleries and Tree to-
bacco. They find the internal revenue laws
more strictly enforced than ever, aud they
win remember this at the polls next fall.
The action OF the Tennessee representatives
In Congress on the educational bill will also
a.. IN, L., ,sl,,t,,
row Democratic majority. Nothwithstand-
ing the fact that the people asked aid for
the schools, the Democratic senators aud
representatives opposed the Blair bill in
committee and on the floor.
"Another important point In our favor ia
the fact that the people are getting
tired Of being ruled by the 'old families
Until lately no man could get any kind OF
an office unless he or his father had owned
slaves and lived in a certain neighborhood
all their lives. Strangers were looked upon
as suspicious characters and none OF them
ever dare to aspire to an elective office. The
people are now coming to understand that
this course prevents immigration aud con-
sequent development and increased value
of the landl They are getting heart
lily sick of the rule OF Isham g..
Harris and the first families Most i'm
portant of all, perhaps, In changing the
political complexion Of the state is the fact
that the younger generation, who have no
war memories, are coming to the front, and
to them the hurrahs for JEFF Davis and
Isham Harris have no meaning. You will
find that a majority Of the young men In
all southern communities are either Repub-
llcans or inclined to Republican principles
Why2 Because the young fellows are not
governed by ante slavery preiudices. They
take matters as they are. They look at
political questions in business and not In
sectional light, and II they find that the
principles OF one party are better adapted
to the interests OF the country than those oil
another, they do not let absurd preludlces
hinder Them from stepping across the line
The young men Of Tennessee have awaken
ed to the fact that the Democratic party has
not advanced step since 179S, and those Of
them who have brain and push are coming
over to ue.
at might he mentioned also that for every
Office to be filled this fall there are numer
GUS Democratic candidates. They are re
Wiling one another with more than theil
usual ferceEess. or course, don't objec
to this. l am like the minister In the SET
story, who, during storm, feared the shiI
was going down, and expressed his alarm
to the captain.
"'Don't fear said the captain. Dom
you hear those sailors cursing below Well
you may be sure they would be praying |
there was any danger The minister re
tired to his cabin, but, becoming alarmed
again, he rushed on deck. He was greeted
with volley Of oaths from the seaboys.
""Thank God,' said the minister joyfully
'they are cursing STILL
$50 say, THANK God, they are cursin
STILL whenever view the condition OF til
Democrats down home"