Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-21
II. Clay Evans.

The Nashville American the other day, un-
der the title "a Word to Democrats con-
tained the following editorial:
Shouting 'carpet-bagger' is not going to
keep Clay Evans out of the governor
ship. Democrats must pitch their battle or
more exalted lines this year. There Is a
very large vote that knows nothing of car
pet-baggers and carpet baggism, and cares
less 1t is not going to pay much attention
to something that the older voters had to
contend with. Besides. Mr.. Evans has been
q resident of Tennessee for more than a
quarter of a century, and while he has at
times been out of sympathy with the white
people of the state. in the main he has been
useful citizen and a patriot. The demo-
Gratis can beat him, and must beat him, but
not by reviving obsolete war cries.
Mr. Evans stands for certain clearly de-
fined policies. state and national These
policies, in the larger sense. are not con-
ducive to the best interests of the people of
Tennessee. For that reason he should be
beaten, and will be If the democrats will
cease their pickering, put out platform
that means what 1t says, and present
solid front.
There are no votes in chinquapin politics
for either democrats republicans"
This cry against Mr.. Evans was first
raised last winter. and at that time The
Star spoke of it in terms similar to those
now employed by the leading democratic
newspaper of Tennessee. 1t is thoroughly
silly and vicious cry. Mr.. Evans is justly
described by the American. A good citizen
and an able and honorable man, he has
earned the respect of his neighbors, and he
enjoys the respect of all whose opinions are
of value. 1t is in the nature of tribute to
him. indeed, that the most bitter of his OPP
ponents are reduced to a word which has
ha4 no active significance in thirty years,
and never at any time was applicable to
him.
The American proposes a contest which
every friend of Tennessee should approve.
Mr. Evans himself should welcome it. He
stanC. with his party for well-defined and
thoroughly tried national public policies
sound money, protection, expansion. In
local affairs he wants a free ballot and
fair count. The people of Tennessee are
interested along those lines. Their credit Is
In the scale on the money issue. Their
enormous resources have been greatly ben
Gifted by protection, and their further de-
velopment can but be advanced by the con-
tinuation of that policy. Tennessee troops
helped firmly to establish American au-
thority In the Philippines, and one regiment
in particular showed spirit so fine that
the whole country President Mckinley lead
ing, applauded vigorously. Surely when
Mr.. Evans takes the stump and opposes
free silver and free trade and scuttle he
ought to be at no disadvantage In Tennes-
see.
The democratic candidate for governor
has not yet been named. The canvass
for the honor has exceeded in bitterness
that for the senatorial nomination Just
finished. Some heartburnings may survive
the decision but are not likely to cut a.
great figure in the campaign against the
common enemy. We should witness trial
of strength between two strong men stand
Ing upon platforms which truly represent
those who have constructed them: and in
such contest Mr. Evans should give a
very good account Of himself.