The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-05-21


tion democrats toward the governor
and his administration? To this ques-
tion there can be but one proper ans
wer: they should not only honor and |
uphold his administration, but should |
express their appreciation, satisfaction
and gratitude for the respect for and
the good that has been done our cause.
Why should prohibitionists, especial.
ly democrats, join disappointed office
seeker in opposing, making war on and
seeking to bring discredit upon the
present democratic chief executive?
Has he not been true to every trust re-
posed in him by the people and the
party that nominated him? Has he
not been industrious, intelligent, faith
full and painstaking in the performance
of every executive duty? If he has,
and no one has or can show to the con-
trary, then what means this attempt to
split the democratic party and the at
tempt to prevent the Endorsement to
which he is justly entitled?
Some prohibitionists may not APP
prove of every thing that Gov. Patter-
sons administration has accomplished,
but they can not deny that the govern
or has been true to every trust reposed
in him by the democratic party and its
platform. Some persons criticise the
governor because of his strict adherence
to the party's platform of principles;
they do this because forsooth, they
would probably have favored little
different platform. They forget that
when the governor accepted the nomi.
nation he accepted most delicate and
responsible trust, and that his and the
honor of his administration was pledg-
ed to its observance.
The writer of this confesses that he
is partisan of the governor, and very
much desires his denomination, but
that he had rather see him defeated
than to see him elected by seeking
popularity in observance of the
platform upon which he was nominated.
I have no complaint to make against
Mr.. Carmack on account of his sudden
and miraculous conversion to state
wide prohibition. 1t is said to be q
habit of his that when he changes sides
on question, or to parties, it is done
quickly and with rush. Some people
are so uncharitable as to attribute his
popularity to his desire to always be
on the strongest side, and they illus
trate this by his loyalty to and defense
of the saloons and whisky traffic wher
they were strong, and the denunciatlol
of the prohibitionists when they wer,
few and weak, but Mr.. Carmack ha
not, so far as we have been informed
admitted this to be true.
1 Mr.. Carmack's conversion in favor O
fair elections and an honest count i
regarded by some as nothing less tina
a miracle which should cause genera
rejoicing; and it is needless to say tina
y many good people have for many year
. prayed for his reformation on this ma
" ter, and some of them are calculating
"Thank the Lord!" While all the ten
perance people and advocates Of honel
elections will gladly receive him, man
prefer that for at least two years he /
n received on probation.
=, Gov. Patterson's administration ha'
T. ing rendered such great service to IL
d cause of temperance and prohibition,
l. is the duty of all the advocates and az
herents to that cause to give expressiC
le to their thanks and gratitude to IL
o. governor and the democratic party +,
o. the blessings received and ask col
tinuance of the same.
4, The candidacy and course pursue
I'd by Mr.. Carmack will, it is believed, r
81 suit in an injury to the cause of ter
n perance and to the democratic party.
10 All the relief that the people of tn
Id state have received from prohibitiC
~ enactments has come through ii
te agency of the dem scratic party, and 9
o. that we hope for in the future mu
n come through that party. War upon
a democratic administration, especial
ne as good a one as Gov. Patterson's,
n but little less than madness in tho
q who profess to love temperance and ii
:: democratic party.
II Fayetteville, Tenn. j. H. Ho1MA
u The Most Common Cause of Suffering.