Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-12-14
WEAKLEY LETTER.


under the impression that our In
spectir 6 Board had gone about as
far as it could, and that we would
know in this time who our next
Governor was to be.
But it seems that I was consider
ably at error, for as yet have heard
not whisper from the ystery box,
and, although we remember family
to have held an election for Gov
enor in Tenn. about a month ago,
we have no more information as to
who our next Governor is TO be, than
have the benighted jewellers of the
lone Sandwich Islands.
1t has been told Of brave old
Andy Jackson that on one occasion
when a decisive battle was on, one
of his subordinate officers came to
him to know what his future plans
were, he answered, 81 will not tell
you id thing of my futureplans,
sir, until | know what your pres
emit action is" In the same spirit |
will write my letter this week.
| know a great deal about our
future Legislative prospects, but |
am not going to divulge bit of it
until / have some positive light on
the gubernatorial situation.
In themeantime, | shall consume
column or more Of valuable space
in twenty-five of the best county
papers in the State of Tennessee
this week in making future NOM
nations.
Our recent losses, while unpleas-
ant, were not wholly unexpected
and may prove to be Democratic
blessings in disguise, 1t often hap
pens that the bitterest lessons are
the dearest and most valuable, and
it may be so in this. 1t certainly
will be so, if we can study and mas
ter the open page just written in
the priceless book Of experience,
and wisly follow up with zeal the
suggestions ofitsprophetic warning,
The reasons for our defeat are nu-
merous and we'll known, and 'twere
IL cess to repeat them. Only let us
hope that the result will strike De.
mocracy as warning to prepare
for the great fight that is now be-
fore us-that it will teach us forcibly
and anew that grand old proverb:
"In unity there is strength" and
that right though we are, wecannot
hope to conquer the enemy in our
sleep If we heed this warning well
and fortify ourselves with clean re-
cords, worthy candidates and pro-
per alacrity and energy in the fight,
victory will be ours and we shall
offer thanks for the warning. | be-
lieve in going to work right now,
with the promises of the future shi-
ming upon the ashes of the past,
and the object have in view i'll
making nominations, is to lift up
the hrazen serpent now, while the
poison of defeat is tingling in our
wounds. In presenting the names
of worthless for coming gubernato-
rial honors, | put forth those in
whom ! think are saving powers,
and | don't wish to have my posi-
tion so misconstrued as to place me
lin the attitude of the traitor to oul
Southern past, or false to our heroic
accestry who, aft, bled and died
Such is not my intention and in
no mans bosom does there dwell 8
greater and more lasting love fol
the dauntless chivalry Of our South
err soldiery than in my own, but
the reverses which have ovcrtaker
US demand a change of custom. a
reform is necessary and it will take
strength, brains and energy to re
fleet it. The bitter lesson marks
an epoch in Que political history
For the first time in thirty years
what we have been pleased to term
with pride, the solid South, has
been broken and the shackles o
tradition torn away, The bird o
sentiment that has so long hoveieC
about the nest of folly, has flowr
awpy to stay. The angel of progress
has stepped upon the scene anC
babe us say goodbye" to tottorin2
thrones of demagogy and crumblirs
monarchics of political vice. TIE
people arc learning to think arc
speak and act New men ant