Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-12-01
THE PENDING CONFLICT.

The Congressional canvass has not
yet opened. Still, many Of Mr.. Brown
lows enemies seem to think the tocsin
has sounded and that it is incumbent
upon them to make all the racket pos
sible. They are prematurely in the
fight. shooting into the empty air with
no battle line in their front. 1t is per.
fectly plain to all who understand Mr..
~Brownlow's points as a fighter that he
will be armed and equipped to defend
and maintain himself when the time
comes for action, and he will be
Johnny'on'the spot for those who are
planning and conspiring for his defeat.
He has no fears of the blowhards nor
is the well known extent of their in.
tiuence causing him to lose any sleep
mol in anywise impairing the vital
force Of his digestive organs. He is at
tending strictly, closely and with con
scientious fidelity to the onerous and
exacting duties upon him without any
present concern or care about the on
coming conflict. But he is thoroughly
convinced that the people are satisfied
with his work and will endorse it when
they have the opportunity.
When a nan confdes in the people
and they in him it is impossible to
crush him. He at last will pluck the
flower of safety out of the nettle Of
danger and snatch victory out of the
jaws of defeat. The intuitions of the
masses, their sense of justice, right and
expediency are always unerring. They
cruelty no man on the cross OF their
scorn without he deserves such a fate.
The masses stand in defense of the
meritorious as impregnable as a stone
wall.
Those who have numbered their
batteries upon Mr.. Brownlow and are
rending him so terribly only in their
imagination would, at this juncture,
learn q very profitable and impressive
lesson by studying the history of that
grand and noble character, Hon. Hor.
ace Maynard. No public mar was ave.
assaulted by an antagoniSm more brutal,
relentless, and vindictive.
The constant warfare made upon
him was simply an usurping persecu-
ton to which he paid but little heed.
He went on fearlessly, un~linchingly,
unvexed and u%ndisturbed in the dis.
charge of his duties to his constituency
and to the country at large. Whilst
he was honored by the enmity, lam
pooning and vituperation of the time
servers and politicians, he was, also
honored by the respect, confidence and
support of the people and they keep
him in Congress for eight consecutive
terms. The coarse and brutal assaults
of his enemies made his friends more
earnest and decided and constantly
added to his strength.
The Walls OF wrath that are being
emptied on Mr.. Brownlow, the calum-
MES that are heaped upor him without
stint are sure indications that his
enemies fully appreciate the magnitude
of the task they have inadvisedly un.
dertsken. From the way they have
started out they must think that a seat
is taken by violence and by an entire
obliteratiou of the common decencies
and courtesies of life.
When men become desperate in de.
sign and reckless in statement it is I'M
failing evidence that they have no
confidence in themselves nor any faith
in the success of the cause they repre-
sent. The world holds this opinion
anyway and has no sympathy nor
utilization with such agitators.
1t requires nerve, determination,
earnestness and good, cool judgment
to carry projects into execution in
which the people are directly con.
cerned.
Rash bearing and intempe rate lam
guage do not and can not win when
the people are the umpires of the con-
~tention