The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-06-04
Governor SoundsBugle
Call for Democracy.
DIRECT, STRONG WORDS.
Based Upon the Consent of
the People Would Drive
Whisky from State.


The Chattanooga Times.
The Patterson papers of the state
press are resounding with glad acclaim
over Gov. Patterson's new and eloquent
treatment in his recent Memphis speech
of the danger threatening democracy.
"a Bugle Call to Democrats" is what
the Nashville American terms the ex-
tract. And so the unusual eloquence
of the governor sounds in the reading.
His position is clearly stated, his views
plainly expressed. Democrats will be
interested in reading the extract, who
ever may be their gubernatorial prefer
ence. The matter so germaine to the
all.absorbing question was as follows;
In what attitude is Senator Carmack
to charge me with being friend of the
liquor interests, when he himself voted
not only against the prohibition amend
ment, but also voted against the first
| attempt to extend the four-mile law =?
But he has now turned saint. He is a
sinner nor longer. The lamp held out
to burn. He has reformed. He is now
leading the procession. Failing to find
fault with my administration or the
primary plan of nomination, he now
has become prohibitionist aud is ar
raging class against class and calling
upon the women and children to help
him to victory. He can now no longer
help himself, but speakers from other
states must be imported, the fair wo-
manhood of the state dragged in the
mire of politics to bolster up his wan
ing fortunes. Mr.. Carmack's candidacy
BODIES no good to the democratic party
or to the state of Tennessee. He is not
waging a democratic contest. 1t is a
sad day and disheartening one when
the church of God has to be used in q
political campaign. | have the creed
and the faith of democrat. [ believe
that Jefferson was right and performed
the greatest possible service to man
kind when he separated the church
and the state and permitted the tree of
liberty to grow in the clear sunlight.
| The very method bywhich Mr.. Carmack
l e N nj ~
the hands of the party, is revolutionary
and destructive; it is based upon ideas
that are thoroughly disorganizing and
undemocratic. No one can have great
er respect for religion than l no one
can have a higher regard for woman
hood, and it is because | have that /
would have them away from the mael-
strom of politics. | have no war to
make on sincere and honest prohibi-
tionists. have great respect for their
opinions, but do not believe that the
independent manhood of Tennessee
should be led astray by appeals to pre-
judice, nor the democratic party be-
trayed by those who do not support it
except when it suits their convenience.
AS governor Of Tcnnes-
see | would sign bills to
drive whisky from every
town and city in the state
based upon the consent of
the people, | would 60
| further than that, and sign
IA prohibition bill if it be
the expressed will of my
party that such a bill shall
become a law.
Why is it that Senator Carmack has
abandoned the principle of local self
government, and is not willing to allow
the people of the cities to vote on the
question as other cities have done? Are
the people of Nashville, Memphis and
Chattanooga so immoral or ignorant
that they do not know what is best for
them? What democrat is there who
can blame me for standing by the dem
ocratic party? What man is there who
can say l have been false to that plat
form? My fellow citizens, if other men
change, should | change? If Senator
| Carmack has abandoned the democrat
ic party, should I do so? If | follow
the beaten path and my competitor
goes in the briar patch shall be cen.
sured for following the beaten way?
| do not propose to aban-
don my party to become
the governor of Tennessee.
| am not willing to pay the
price that SenatOrCarmaCk
is willing to pay. Consist
ency, reason, justice, the
welfare of the democratic
party are considerations
which | will. not sell for Of.
. flee. They are more valua.