Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-10-31
The Voice Of BOurbOnism.

Thousands of persons in Tennessee
respect Governor Turney, as an indi-
vidual and Governor of a great Ameri.
can State. lie has many sincere friends,
and every one of them will regret that
he was induced, and that he consented,
to make the speech he made at Muir.
freesboro last Saturday. 1t was un-
worthy of him; such an undignified,
unwarranted exhibition of spleen
would be unworthy of any person, of
his age especially, who could possibly
be thought of as possible Governor of
State. 1t demonstrates what has
been charged before, that he is bour-
bon of the bouibons, to get away from
whose self it is as impossible as for the
leopard to outgrow his spots or the
hyena from his appetite for foulness.
Twenty nine years ago the war for
the preservation of the American
Union ended, war that was preceded,
attended and followed by the exhi-
bition of much fraternal strife in Ten.
nessee. The people here were divided,
some favoring secession from the
Union of American States, some oppo-
ing it; some favoring new flag and a
new Government, others the old flag
and the Government of the fathers.
But time has healed sores, removed
scars and restored harmony where dis.
cord reigned. A new generation has
come, and family ties made and
strengthened by the intermarriage of
the children of those who wore the
Union blue with the children of those
who wore the Confederate gray. The
strife of the eventful past has been
almostforgotten in the bright sunshine
of the propitious present.
But here comes an old man, who
pridcs himself on being reckoned q
moss covered relic of bygone age,
who deliberately and with premedita-
zion, tears away the bandages, tears
open the wounds, and for a purpose,
exposes them again to the multitude.
Why? For the reason that he wants to
be reelected again as the chief magis-
trate of the State of Tennessee. His
estimate OF the men whose suffrages he
asks thus to honor him, is that they are
governed in their actions, by blind,
unreasonable prejudice.
In public address delivered in
Knoxville three years ago, Peter Tur-
ney declared that in 1861 he believed
secession to be right, and that in 1891
he knew it to be right. He believes
that that manifestation of bourbonism
resulted in his election to the office he
now holds, and he appeals again to the
ghost of the bloody past, for the pur-
pose of gaining votes this year.
1t is not our purpose to characterize
the performance, as we might with
some other younger and stronger per-
son as the leading man in the case.
He is evidently in his dotage and SEN
ility is not crime, though it may be
premature. He had announced that
he would make no speeches in this
campaign, thus showing that he him
self is aware of some of his weaknesses
But the Democratic campaign com.
mittee doubtless felt that the speeches
of II. Clay Evans were telling upon
the public mind and conscience and
that something must be done. Know
ing that their candidate for Governor
had penchant for things musty. they
get around the poor old fellow and
persuaded him to make this exhibition
of himself, an exhibition that has
brought pain to every real, intelligent
friend he has on earth, who heard or
who has read his speech. If by man 3
own words he can demonstrate any,
thing, there can be no doubt of the
unfitness of Peter Turney for the Office
Of Governor of Tennessee. Knoxville
Journal.