The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1888-01-26
Gov. Tavlor's denomination,

1t Is quite early to discuss gu
bernatorial matters, but recent ex-
pressions in vsrious parts of the
state render it not altogether out of
time. 1t is conceded by nearly ev-
cry democrat who has spoken that
Gov. Taylor will succeed himself,
and his nomination is in all proba-
bility foregone, but there are some
who oppose him, or rather, who
have another first choice, and it
seems to us that the facts ought all
to be weighed in advance SO we
may have unaminity and avoid a
blunder.
We have noticed some papers that
do not prefer Gov. Taylor as first
choice are nevertheless in favor of
his renominstion because he de-
serves 1t and because party usage
gives it to him. The Memphis
Scimetar, in az able discussion of
the matter, strongly advocates his
denomination and calls attention to
the two-term usage which has not
been varied in recent years without
entailing disaster. The party fail
ed to renominate Gov. Marks and a
split followed and Hawkins was
elected. Gov. Taylor is stronger
than Gov. Marks was and if by any
chance he should be denied the en-
dorsement of his party, worse dis
aster might follow. When Hawkins
was elected the democrats had
twice the majority they now have,
ind judging by what the people did
tthsn to rebuke the indignity I'M
4 worthily bestowed upon Gov. Marks,
it seems, to say the least of it, ex-
tremely hazardous to risk it again
with such small majority.
| But aside from this, Gov. Taylor
deserves it of his party because his
administration has been wise and
all his duties have been performed
with rare intelligence and patriotism
and all his acts have been shaped
by the loftiest regard for honor and
principle.
| Gov. Taylor deserves to be enthu-
eiastically endorsed by democrats
because he is lion-hearted demo-
erat himself. He came from a
country where it cost something to
be democrat. He fought for his
party for years and years, always
going down in defeat but never
olanching, always without hope of
reward but never finching, always
in line and never DESERVING. Who
doubted his democracy then
Weaker men would have yielded 20
such surroundings. Bob Taylor s
! democracy went through the fire
and was Jestsd. He rose above en-
vironment and influence and public
opinion, and leaving even his broth
ers and his kindred and his friends
and associates, he boldly and brave
| Iy declared his faith and swore allie
glance to principles that he has
never deserted.
There was the place to try man,
and he came out uDscsthed. What
might Bob Taylor have achieved if
he had turned republican? Even as
democrat, in a district Of 5000 re-
publican majority, he beat the willy
Pettibone. What could he have
done if he had taken that sidei
When a man deliberately throws
away great chances and brilliant OPP
portunities you may know that the
| principles that actuate him are
deep-seated and that The heart that
animates him is armored with hon
or and instinct with patriotism.
There are men to-day who pre-
sumo to question Gov. Taylor s
democracy who would have yielded
IN half hour to the surroundings
that he repealed from boyhood to
this good hour.
What is his reward? When he
came down out of the mountains
and the people saw the young Ajax
and heard of his mighty deeds OF
valor and of his answering and
manly adherence to democratic
principle, they gave him an ovation
from one end of Tennessee to tue
other such as no mortal man was
ever before honored with, and they
elected him governor of his state.
He has graced the honorable Office
and done his duty like man.
| Will the party vary its old-time
usage to condemn one of its SON.
who waded through fire for it ana
ventured martyrdom, who snapped
his fingers in the face of her foes in
the very citadel of their strength,
risked his life in her service and
threw away proffered honors and
eaoiuments for the poor honor OF
standing guard On her outpostsf
Could the party afford to be SO IN
Just to him or SO stultify itself2
! Gov. Taylor will be renominated,
surely, but these things ought to be
kept in mind and used to shame the
democrat who would withhold from
him the honorable endorsement of a
i