The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-05-13
FOR OLD PETE.
Senator Isham g. Harris Expresses
Himself on the Guberna-
tOriaI Question.
Democrats Cannot Afford to Surrender
PrincIPIe-An Example for Other
Tennesseans In Congress.

The following letter from Senator
Isham G.. Harris to Mr.. w. G. Cooper,
appeared in the Nashville American
this morning. In this letter Senator
Harris expresses fully and freely his
views of the gubernatOrial situation
in this state, and puts in some telling
words for true Democracy. 1t reads
UNITED STATES SENATE, WASHING
TON, May 4, 1S92-W. C.. Cooper, ESD
Dear Sir: In answer to yours of the I'd
inst. 1 have to say that in my opinion
ifGov. Buchanan had frankly announced
his position on the questions of sub
treasury, land loan and Government
ownership of railroads and telegraphs
he would have been renOminated with
out opposition or division, provided he
should have announced his position in
opposition to these heresies; but if in
favor of them the organized Democracy
would have been compelled to unite upon
another-upon some man who is an or
thodox Democrat.
These questions are too large and toe
important for any political party to
ignore or to take any chances as to- the
position of the man whom it may put III
the pOsitian of leader.
Gov. Buchanan has persistently re-
fused to announce his position upon
them, unless it is announced in favor OF
them in recent interview published i'll
the American, which, L am informed, he
repudiates.
If the interview is true he is committed
in favor of these measures, and if not
true he declines to inform the public
what his opinions are upon these ques-
tiOns. Fg
In either attitude 1 should insist upon
nominating for Governor q Democrat
who does not hesitate to announce to
the public, frankly and fully his Opin-
ions upon all questions of public inter
est, and think that Gov. Buchanan
has made, and is making, a very grave
mistake and doing injustice to himself
and to the party that nominated and
elected him Governor. by occupying the
doubtful position that he does upoT
these questions.
The Democracy of Tennessee coulC
never consent to nominate as its candi
date any man who favored measures
such as these; nor could it consent tC
nominate any man who refused to say
what his opinions are upon questions a'
important as these.
Democrats can afford to surrender
mere personal preferences AS between
men, but they cannot afford to surren'
der or compromise principle.
For these reasons i am opposed to the
denomination of Gov. Buchanan and
. H. of 4
frank, outspOken Democrat, who is 4
Democrat, sound and true upon al
questions Of public policy, and who
does not hesitate to publicly announce
his opinions.
The pending contest for the nOmina'
ton for Governor seems to be between
GOV. Buchanan and Jugde Turney.
have known Judge Turney from my
boyh00d, he and both being natives OF
the good old Democratic county o.
Franklin.
That he iss man of decided ability
and the highest integrity, no one doubts
who knows him, and that he has al
ways heen a bold, frank, outspoken
Democrat, 1 know.
There are not now, Por will there
arise questions of public interest that
humblest sitjzeu cannot ascertain what
Judge Turnsy's opinions are upon
chem by simply asking. He has con
victions, aud the courage of his con-
Yictions.
While Tennessee has many Demo
cratic sonssI could support for Govern
or with pleasure, know of none that
could support with more pleasure than
Judge Turney.
Now, in Conclusion, want to say and
to emphasize the fact that my objection
To Gov. Buchanan is not thath belongs
to the Alliance. / have no more OBJ
lection to An AlIiRncsman than L have
TO a Methodist, Baptist or Presbyterian
60 a Mason or TO al odd Fellow, unless
he bel ongs to a secret political organi
zation.
But / cannot, nor can the Democratic
party, support any man who fsvors un
constitutional, democratic and im'
polite measures such Ss those above
refer red to, or any man who refuses t.
cav whether he does or does not favor
them. Respectfully,
lsH AN G.. HARRIS.