The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-05-07
Democratic Allegiance.

Never in the history of Rhea county
have the people witnessed such polit-
ical upheaval as is taking place since
the advent on the stump of the two
candidates for governor, The fighting
democracy of the county is loyal and
true to the principles of the party, Dem
ocrats recognize the fact that local self
government is the foundation stone of
democratic government. That it is a
vital tenet and one of the cardinal vir-
tues of the party as enunciated by JEFF
ferson, exemplifed by Jackson, Cal
houn and Polk, followed by Cleveland
aud Bryan and advocated by long
line of Tennessee's great governors,
including Patterson.
When Mr.. Carmack renounced this
principle and espoused the cause of the
prohibition party and the platform b.
Clay Evans ran on two years ago he
trampled under his feet the beliefs and
preachments of q life time and left the
democratic party. This declaration of
Mr.. Carmack marks the parting of the
ways; and here democracy hangs up a
red light-a signal that the democratic
party of the state is threatened with
destruction, that fanaticism, hypocrisy
and intolerance might get in the saddle
disrupt the party and iniure the state.
The blood red badge of st. Edward a
followers is q tit emblem of the fire and
birthstone campaign of their chief.
In Rhea county the waving of the red
rag has stampeded most thinking dem
ocrats to the standard of the gallant
Patterson, whose matchless oratory and
convincing logic has triumphed on ev'
cry stump and routed Carmack every
where they have met in joint debate.
Before the canvass opened, RheS
county was thought to be for Carmack
not so today. Ever since the govern
or's opening speech and as the join
debate progressed every day has wit
messed men quitting Carmack and tax
ing up the cause of the governor unit
now Rhea may be counted as Patter
son county.
Judging from the tone of the pres
the same appears to be true in tn
greater part of the state.
Democrats everywhere must reoog
nize the fact that the party is the fathe
of all the temperance legislation no,
on the statute books of Tennessee AM
must know that progress Of the temper
ance cause must depend on and com
through the democratic party, tn
friend and only true champion of th
, cause in this state.
Whenever public sentiment is stron
= enough to enforce state wide prohibi
tion, the people will vote for it an
Gov. Patterson will continue his TEN
perance policy and approve any bi
with this end in view as he has done j
4 the past. Neither Rev. Folk, Bisho
Hoss, st. Edward nor all the saints an
anti-saloon leaguers combined can Cal
ture the democracy of Tennessee an
lead into the camp OF the prOhibitio
party. They will not be permitted
dictate to the dominant party who sha
be it's nominees. They have yet
learn that temperance people must M
be incorporate. Fealty first to demo-
racy then to reform is the path the
must travel.
The great ruling body Of the part
! favors all legislation against the liquC
traffic by vote of the people and Go
Patterson never cast ballot again
temperance in his life. He has n
, changed his position on this questiC
to suit the popular clamor, that
might ride into office, but he stands {
his Temperance record and points to II
fact his administration put over 400 g
u looms out of business and approve
more temperance measures than oil
- Tennessee governors combined.
He has raised the credit of the sta
and administered its affairs In all
> departments ably and efficiently and
manner worthy of our traditions. N
even Carmackian criticism can finG
= flaw or point to neglect of duty.
. such faithful public servant 1t 10 I
unbroken custom of the party to gi
its Endorsement of second term.
y The party will not now break Il
precedent merely to give disappoint
politician an Office who is chasing arou
- over the state after Rev, Folk, RI
49, Landith and other intollerants and pl
hibitionists simply to get their aid q
assistance on a platform whose prin
pies he does not believe in, but he /
got them fooled all right.
,E If we mistake not the true-blue de
ocrats all over the state will stand
- the party, let we'll enough alone, MOI
\ nate and re.elect Gov. Patterson
Rhea County News.
L Valued Same as Gold.