The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1906-06-14

MAINTAIN It's dominance IN the state and
the confidence of the people. He in-
Weighed against hurtful laws that had
been enacted under the auspices and
with the apparent sanction of democra-
cy and insisted that they should be
changed, Instead of following the fa
miliar custom of catering to prejudice
by damning and denouncing the oppo-
sition party for all that was bad and
landing everything that had been done
under democratic administrations, he
gave due credit for what was good, aud
boldly attacked what he regarded as
evil. He disregarded that quality of
tact, that fnesse of politics, which
compromises principle under the gulse
expediency. In this respect he appear
ed obstinate to some of his advisers
who, accustomed to the arts and feints
of politics, would have had him qualify
his candor or adopt more calclating
and evasive diplomacy. From the out
set he insisted that he had laid out his
platform and program and that he
would adhere to them to the end. He
believed both to be democratic. His
demand for change in the election
law that would prevent machine con-
troll was based on right grounds and is
essentially democratic. His position
in regard to temperance legislation was
also based on the democratic idea of
self-government and from this he would
not waver.
In the position taken by Mr.. Patter-
son in his campaign he has anticipated
his republican opponent and is there
fore the better prepared to meet him
on all points of controversy. Mr.. Pat
terson has insisted that there must be
political reform in Tennessee, but he
also insists that this reform must be
brought about by the democratic party.
If Mr.. Evans, as the republican candi-
date, assails the democratic machine"
Mr.. Patterson can stand before him
unscathed as the nominee and repre-
sentative of a democratic sentiment
that proposes to have no machine, dem
ocratic or republican. If Mr.. Evans
assails the election law as it is his pur-
pose to do, Mr.. Patterson can meet him
as the democratic champion for fair
and impartial election law and of hon
est election methods. The issue then
that will be made will be whether the
people of Tennessee shall elect repub-
lican or democratic governor. With
Mr.. Patterson's contentious boldly as
serted in his canvass for the nomination
and backed by the endorsement of the
democratic state convention, there can
be no good argument made why the
governmental administration in Ten.
nessee should be turned over to the re-
publican party, whose history in this
state has 80 long been that of q ma
chine controlled by an oligarchy o.
politicians.
Personally, Mr.. Patterson has prov
ed himself remarkably capable and eff
fective as campaigner, and he viii
show himself competitor we'll fitte'
and equipped for coping with his re
: publican opponent. He is thorough,
informed, and is pleasing and yer.
y fol ceful speaker. He is remarkabl
: fluent in speech and speaks to the point
He is deliberate, self poised, graceful
9 and eloquent, and has the apt as wei
Is as resolute qualities that go to make
: formidable debater. He would n
% doubt greatly relish a joint canvas
L with Mr.. Evans, and he will undoubt
. edly maintain the cause of the part
y that has made him It's leader with
Il vigor and ability that will be the augr
ry of success. Nashville Banner.