The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1906-09-27
The SANDER Against Patterson.

SANDER is poor weapon at best. In
nine cases out of ten it recoils to the |
confusion and the undoing of the de-
generate wretch who uses it. We do
not know who is primarily responsible
for it's introduction into the campaign
between FL. Clay Evans and M. r. Pat
terson, wherein it plays the false and
scurvy role of attacking the latter's
personal character; but we feel conf
dent that before this campaign is ended
the party or parties engaged in han
ding this soiled article will discover
that they have succeeded only in be-
smirching themselves.
The Commercial Appeal is published
from Gen. Patterson's home. It has
been witness of his life since his boy
hood, and is in position to know his
standing in his home community.
With this knowledge before it this pa
per unhesitatingly declares that Gen.
Patterson stands ss high in the estima-
tion of the people Of Memphis as any
other public man in Tennessee. Nee
essarily he has enemies-all strong
men have them-but the proportion of
these to his friends and admirers is
about one in hundred. Moreover,
these personal ISLANDERS cannot have
emanated from any of the small coterie
of Gen. Pattersons political enemies
in his home community; for though
these may be hostile to Gen. Patter-
son, still they, one and all, recognize
how egregiously absurd are such sian.
ders when repeated in the community
which is thoroughly acquainted with
Gen. Patterson and which holds him
in such honorable estimation.
If there were q scintilla OF truth in
the accusations affecting Gen. Patter-
sons personal life, is it not passing
strange that his political opponents in
former campaigns failed to bring them
to the foreP Why were they not
broached when he appealed to his home
county for honors, and received them?
The answer is both ready and signif-
Gait. His home county knew him and
his life, and would have jeered the
charges as nothing but rank SANDER?
Why were these accusations not
brought when he canvassed his district
for congress? Simply because the ter
ritory was limited, communication easy
and the falsity and SANDER of the
charges capable of being shown in
weeks time.
For sixteen years and more Gen. Pat
terson has figured in the public life of
Shelby county and the Tenth con-
gressional district. During all these
years his personal character has not
been questioned. Why? Because his
life and standing in the community are
both known to the people and imputa-
tions upon either would have been
confession of malignant ignorance or
slanderous mendacity.
1t remained then for these ISLANDERS
to attack him after he had extended
the sphere. of his political life. A whole
state is much larger than county or
congressional district. In the latter
two sections the people easily learn to
know not only theNcandidate's ability
and public record, but also his private
and personal standing. But it is quite
another matter where the whole state
is concerned. Throughout such wide
expause of country it is next to impos-
sible for the candidate TO accomplish
more than to stamp his ability as pub
lie servant upon all the communities,
the more remote districts taking il. for
granted that the candidates home CON-
munity will attend to his personal
character
This condition has been abused by
some Of the opponents TO the demo-
cratic nominee, Being unable to gain
headway against his ability and his
splendid public record they have sown
broadcast ISLANDERS against his personal
life, hoping TO iniure him, not whers
his personal life is known, but where
il is impossible for 1t TO be known save
through the testimony OF Others.
The shame Of such methods must be
apparent to the meanest soul, and we
are certain Tennesseans are too manly
TO lend ear TO such contemplate Sian.
der Commercial Appeal.