Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-19
SENATOR PETER.
Why He Left GAINESVILLE for
the West.
A Story That Does Him No Credit, and
Bears misrepresentation on Its
Face-His Record in Clarks'
vile in the Days of
Reconstruction.

Mrs. Mcclure, Western CORES.
pondent of the Washington Post, IN
a recent issue of that paper states
that out of thirty-three Senators west
of the Mississippi river, all but two
were born in the East, and proceeds
with graphic account of the adj
ventures OF the most prominent.
Among these Senator PETER, OF
Kansas, is included. Following Is
the sketch, which the writer must
have had from Judge PETER him.
self:
"Probably none of these Senators
went across the river for stranger
causes than PETER, who was born in
Pennsylvania. During the war Pei
fer was in the Army of the Tennes-
see, and before the war ended had
conceived fondness for that State.
When the war closed he was mus
tered out, and then determined to-
settle in Tennessee and become a
GOOD citizen of that locality. He
brought his wife and three children
there, took a little place and then
went to Jas. Bailey, who afterward
was Senator from the State. He told
Bailey that he was determined to be-
come q citizen of Tennessee and to
make his home there for the rest OF
his life that he desired to live on
good terms with all his neighbors
and to take his share in the building
up of the places laid to waste by the
war. For four years PETER tried to
make himself acceptable to the com
munity, but in vain. Personally
they declared they liked him and
his family and he was a desirable
citizen, but they could not stand it
and feel friendly toward him. He
made every effort to harmonic the
people. He was sent out on the
stump to propagate the principles OF
harmony and urge the people for the
good of their State to lay aside their
predudices, but in vain. I'VE like
you,' they said, but it is too soon.
Every time we see you pass we are
reminded of what we have just been
through. You stand for all the
North and the war, and we can't
help our feelings PETER finally
realized the hopelessness of the affair,
and he and his wife determined to
leave Tennessee. Then they looked
around for place that was likely to
prove agreeable, and Kansas, which
was being settled by persons of theii
own political beliefs, attracted them
whereupon the PETERS decided t6
cast their lot there, and promptly
babe farewell to Tennessee and Its
inhospitality."
The facts are that PETER was kind
ly treated by the lawyers ana al
other citizens, but showed no appre
citation OF the social recognition tina
the citizens were willing to ACCORD
to him. Our people were more anX
ious for peace and harmony than wa
PETER. He could not forget that w
were rebels and not entitled 10 citi
zenship. The terms of harmony n
proclaimed were all on his own side
edo as ! say Col. Bailey, as wer
all others who came out of the wal
was distranchised and the negroes
enfranchised and PETER and his gam
wanted the offices, to rule and domi
ncer over the people. He chose t
cast his lot and association with tn
negroes and desired to inaugurate tn
social equality OF the races
OF course it was too 500
for that, and too soon YET
He set up to practice law, relying o
the negroes for clients and the dirt
work of the Freedmen's Bureau
stir up suife between the races &c
lawsuits. But the negroes woul
not carry him their cases. He ra
for office, and though the white
were DISTINGUISHED, he was defeated
the negroes declining to vote for hin
He wrote book entitled 1.-The Ga
petbagger," in which he villified OF
women, filling it with scurrilous a
tacks on every member of the bs
who declined to fall in on his line I
harmony. Columns might be wri
ten on PETERS life in GAINESVILLE
the days of reconstruction, but "
have better use for our space. TT
wonder is that he was allowed
stay here at all, which fact OF itse
speaks volumes for the forbearanc
long suffering, generosity and hosp
tality of our people.
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1t Saves Children.