The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-10-10
THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE:
the Editor Of The American:

'orm in politics. When the small
natreds, little iealousies and mean am
billions of q local clique, such as the
Memphis faction, finds itself a respect
able head, and seeks to spread itself
out over the state OF Tennessee, it may
be found too thin for successful spread
ing out and application to bring
about the fruitage expected OF such
Confined to Memphis, its wranglings,
ebullitions and effervesCences raised a
respectable tempest.in- teapot; sprea
out over the great state of Tennessee.
it is likely TO create small concern in
those whose minds are given to larger
and broader interests.
The race for governor belongs to Ten.
nessee. Governor Patterson belongs to |
the whole state. Whatever interest or
feelings he may have had in Memphis
factions were long ago merged in the
larger interests of the state.
Governor Patterson's past is assur-
ance TO his friends that when, as q rep
resentative TennesSeean, filled only
with its broad interests, he meets the
sole champion Of Memphis faotiOnaiism
the democracy of Tennessee will again
have a champion equal to any occa-
sion.
When he first announced himself as
candidate for governor few believed that
he could secure q majority in the state
convention. He had "pitted" himself
against the speaker Of the senate, act
ing as governor-Mr. Cox-frmly en-
trenched in the power Of formida-
BILE machine, ramifying throughout the
state and strongly seated in every
county. Cox was formidably backed
by the Carmack- Frazier combination,
which had just succeeded in persuad-
ing Mr.. Frazier to desert the guberna'
material post, to which he had been
elected, for seat in the United States
Senate, prize too glittering to be re-
sisted by small minds. Governor Pat
terson had also to contend with q
worthy gentleman and very popular
man from Brownsville-Judge Bond.
He had also to meet, in the dark, q
host Of OZARK horses, who were max
ing Of Cox figurehead. These came
from every quarter, and among them
an estimable gentleman who was then,
and is now, the controlling spirit OF
the state supreme court.
| Add to this that the speaker OF the
senate, acting as governor, had, IN
some inexplicable way, gathered about
himself perhaps because they saw in
him facile tool, such as they could
never find in. Patterson OF the
corporate and other large interests OF
the state. Up to that time Tennessee
democratic councils had been almost
free from that curse of northern states
politics the domination Of Interests. "
They are not likely again to disturb
the peace Of democratic councils IN
Tennessee; for that canvass taught
them that they are better off out OF
politics.
| Through all this, Governor Patter-
son bore himself like strong man and
gentleman. He discussed solely pub
lie matters; but with bold and un-
sparing hand. He struck no blow
under the belt" He said no unseen
ly word. Except to patent and official
wrongdoing he gave no offense.
To ridicule he was impervious; to
detraction he shrugged his shoulders.
To every effort to swerve him from his
course he opposed the appeal with
cogent argument, the force Of relent-
less logic, the power of native ability.
No more powerful canvass was ever
made in Tennessee. It was brave,
strong, self-reliant spirit, armed with
righteousness, contending against un'
defined, indefinable and vague. but
powerful enemies, crouched in the
dark. He held on his way, like the
mighty Orient stream:
Like to the Pontic Sea,
\ Whose 10y current and compulsive
Il course
Meier feels retiring ebb, but keeps due
on
To the Propontic and the Hellespont.
/ All this he met and overcame. The
machine, the Interests" the poll
ticians, the combinations, The clark
horses" were able to bring strong
forces to bear. At the core corrupt
and pernicious, the combination OPP
posed to Patterson had with them, for
various mistaken reasons, as good and
} az worthy men as were ever found in
any ranks. To this powerful combina-
tion came opposed q serious, stern,
stubborn body OF delegates, the finest
ever seen in state convention-snd ]
have seen every one since 1866.
Il II Patterson accomplished great
work in cleaning up the Tennessee
Augean stable. he was greater when he
came forth to meet common enemy.
His enemies said he led divided de-
mocracy. His defeat was worked for