Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-10-07
TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN.
INFLUENCE OF THE CANVASS.
The Flowers Over the Walls of Party
"a Poiitics. slil.ls .silAsis

The Flowers Over the Walls of Party
Politics. sli4isls .siiAtis
Interesting "Reminiscences and Election
Figures. Etc., Etc.
A special correspondent Of the Cincin-
nett Commercial Gazette, writes the fol-
lowing interesting letter to his paper:
DEER PARK, Nd, Sept. 25.-There
are many points Of great interest about
Tennessee politics just now, and they are
certainly attracting very great deal
of attention. The features Of two broth
ers running on opposing tickets for the
highest office in the State and conducting
joint discussion in the utmost harmony
and filial regard, is spectacle which can
not fail to be influential for good. There
are at present probably fewer asperities
in politics, and less bitterness than there
has been at any time since the war. This
is very noticeable. The fierce, conten-
tious, almost murderous spirit which has
characterized our politics for the past
twenty-five years has been greatly allay-
ed, and the agitators and professional
politicians find 1t difficult to ply their
trade by arousing and playing upon the
passions and preiudices of men. The
arts Of the demagogue are comparatively
innocuous. People are refusing to rend
their garments and gnash their teeth in
rage at the call of the blatant stumper.
Yet 1t does not appear that the people
have lost interest very largely in politics,
There is still eagerness for news, anxiety
for information, and desire for discussi-
on and fair presentation of facts and is
sues. They simply refuse to froth at the
mouth and discuss matters with clubs
This is good and healthful. OF course
as we approach the next presidential elec-
tion things will get lively again, the old
horse fiddles win begin screeching and
rasping the elephant will resume his
great act Of going round, and the band
will begin to play.
But that Is good and healthful, too. 1t
is very well, that In a Republic the ele-
phant should go round; that the hewgag
should be sounded, and that the safety.
valve should be opened once in every four
years. Were 1t not SO, the great ire
pressible Yankee Nation would be liable
to bust and fly oil around
But venture the prediction that the
coming presidential election will lie as
free from scandal, lies and nastiness as
any ever held. II win make no differ
ence with this prediction whether the op.
posing tickets are headed Sherman and
Cleveland, or Blaine and Cleveland, or
Blaine and Hill, or Sherman and Hill, or
by.an other men. The reaction from
the horrible indecencies of the campaigns
of 1880 and 1884, especially the latter, has
set In, and the side that starts in that line
again will be at disadvantage.
Illustrative of and tending to this con-
dition Is the sight of ALI and Bob Tay-
lor, of Tennessee, canvassing the State
together, occupying the same room, and
cars, and each quick to resent any insult
to or reflection upon the other, and each
radical and uncompromising in his party
beliefs and affiliations.
Whichever may win, the Taylor broth.
ers will have taught a much needed les
son and illustrated agreat truth in Anne,
rican politics our people in the passions,
hates and bitterness born of the war were
in danger OF losing sight of.
In the State of Tennessee the situation
looks hopeful for the Republicans. If
the rate Of change continues, and in the
same direction, the State Is inevitably des.
tined to be Republican. The figures of
the three last Presidential elections are
sufficient to prove the truth of this state.
ment and exhibit the. rapid progress of
the State toward Republicanism. In the
Tilden Hayes election of 1876 the Demo.
cratic majority was 43,560. In the Han
cock. Garfield election of 1880 the Demo
cratic majority was 22. 1892 In the Blaine.
Cleveland election of 1884 the Democrat.
ic majority was 9,1S0 East Tennessee
gave Cleveland 80, 800, and Blaine 40, ,0S9.
Middle Tennessee gave Cleveland 81. 1903
and Blaine 98,083. West Tennessee gave
Cleveland 10000, and Blaine 81, ,904.
These figures show that during the last
ten years the Democratic vote in Tennes.
gee has increased 142, while the Repub
lican vote has increased 81, 1921 There is
hardly another instance In the country ei
such rapid political change. |
And what has occasioned it2 II has oc.
CURED under the political ascendency oi
Senator Isham G.. Harris, who led his
unwilling State into rebellion against the
; National Government, who fled from
the State with price upon his head, who
now represents the Stale in the National
Senate, and who has achieved notoriety
through his connection with the Par
Electric Telephone. ,,
His fight against Andrew johnson
Patterson, the applicant for the impor
tant Pension Agency-covering nearly tht
whole Solid South-made vacant by tn,
resignation of Hon. r. L. Taylor, Is hi
old fight against Andrew johnson con
tinued against his descendants. Under
Harris leadership of the Bourbon De
mocracy Of Tennessee the Republican!
have flourished amazingly. What can 4
be but certain driving into the Republi
can ranks of the johnson Union elemen
aided by. the influx of Northern men
Northern capital and entcrprise2
The figures will show this TO be thu
case. tar "
In 1867 Brownloy, Republican candi
date for Governor. received IA, 1884 votes
while Etheragc, his opponent. an Admin