Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-04-15
OUR LAST WORD.

Nearly the whole of the Congressional
canvass is behind us. A very few
days will bring the cast of the die, the
time for action-to make good our words
and give force and effect, through the
ballot box, to the sentiments and con-
yictions we have expressed.
The people have had the light placed
before them, all the facts and reasons
that could enter into and determine the
result have been deliberately and per-
sistently presented, and they can not
complain of the lack of facilities and
opportunities for obtaining all the in
formation necessary to a safe and intelli-
gent conclusion.
The newspapers supporting Mr..
Brownlow have aspired to a decent,
liberal, honest and honorable journalism
and have maitained it throughout. If
they have not won the popular respect
and confidence they will miss what they
deserve. With them it has been argu-
ment and truth and not villiiication and
abuse. If the aftermath be personal ill
feeling, and party turbulence and dis
sension they will o be responsible.
Even in most cases the savage and
brutal attacks of n hired and mercenary
press upon Mr.. Brownlow and his
friends have beef allowed to pass UNI
noticed. These newspapers have dealt
in facts that have never been contro.
verted, not ever a contradiction at
tempted. They have told the truth
without useless o|rnamentation.
Mr.. Brownlow has borne himself above
the standard of the average politician.
On the rostrum he has been bold, and
unreserved in his own cause without the
offensiveness Of the bully. He has n
carefully studied, well matured line of
policy, adapted to present conditions,
and he e%Xpounded and defended it with
out the tricks and frauds of catchy ora
tory. His logic was clear cut, his argu-
proved himself a perfect master of the
language of the common people,which af.
ter all is the %eloquence that goes straight
to the mark. He appealed to reason and
judgment-not to passion and prejudice.
He avoided double entenders and ad
%captandum deliverances. There was an
occult power and stricking originality
about the man amazing to those who
had heard so often, "Brownlow can't
speak,"
Mr.. Brownlow has done his part nobly
and effectively, and the newspapers adj
vocating his cause have done theirs,
earnestly, zealously and to the utmost
extent of their ability. Brownlow is
now in the hands of his friends. We are
confident that they constitute a large
majority of the Republican party.
He can be defeated only by their apathy
or overcontidence. No ordinary circum-
stances can justify any Brownlow mar
in %absenting himself from the polls and
failing to work for his favOrite. His
vote and influence may not he needed to
win a majority, but it will be needed to
emphasize apopular expression in favor
of right and justice-a verdict against
the political outcasts and cormorants,
who are trying to get control of the
party that they may prostitute it to their
own designs of greed and vengeance.
We have indicated the p%eril-the only
portland it rests with you whether
there be defeat, a bare majority, or a
Waterloo to the enemy.
We make this last appeal with an I'M
doubling confidence. We feel that you
know your duty and will gladly and
fearlessly peform it. We are assured
that all, who love the truth and the
right for their own sake, who want merit
recognized and rewarded, who want to
be true to each other and true to the NJ
selves, will link their shields in a COM
mon cause and rally around the standard
of a man who has been true and faithful
in all the past and is willing to spend
and be spent in the cause of the people
a man to whom service is a sacred duty.