The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-07-23
PATTERSON NOMINEE
Party Seal Placed Upon
Result of Primary.
HISTORY MAKERS GATHER
The Greatest Ovation Ever
Given to a aCandidate for
Governor of Tennessee
BY Hugh H. HuhH in Memphis Commercial
Appeal

BY Hugh II HUM in Memphis Commercial
Appeal,
Nashville, Tenn. July IA. --TOday's
democratic convention which nomlna-
ted Gov. NJ. r. Patterson may not have
been the largest ever assembled in this
city, but it was certainly the most spec
tacular. In many respects it was as
unusual as the series of joint debates
which proceeded it. From the very
beginning it was apparent that the Pat
terson influence would dominate,
Frsm the executive mansion he was
in touch with every detail. He knew
each Successive move. His counsel and
advice were reflected in each judicious
action of the convention. Having won
his own fight, the convention consider
ed him in all things and in all things
he prevailed.
The temporary organization was per-
fected in the afternoon and committees
were named. E. Z. Wright of Mem
phis presided, as was predicted, and
contributed speech which will mark
the pages of state history. The scene
which interrupted its delivery and
which greeted the presentation of Gov.
Patterson's name, stands without an
equal or precedent IN the history OF
state politics. The night session was
devoted to the business routine and
nomination.
All of the excitement in today's con-
ntiou, however, came during the
opening address of Temporary Chair
man Wright Up to this time tranquil
ity lay upon the scene like a caress'
There were certain disappointed Car
mack followers who had anticipated
disappointment and they sat, mp to this
time, in silence and hugged hate tc
their breasts and allowed it to gnaw a.
their vitals and poison all of the vel
springs of their better democratic
spirit.
Up to this time, however, they re
mained silent, but after the Patterson
ovation, 1t was different. The word
of Wright were verile with patriotic
strength. They crashed through thu
debris and wreckage of the Carmacl
strength They were not unfriendly
they cautioned harmony and advocated
reunited party, but they stung certain
unloyal party leaders and the gallery
in which the Wilson county delegation
was seated, inaugurated the only trou
h'e of the afternoon.
Some things in this shadowy worl
are not mere matters of opinion. Th
Carmack people knew from the minut
the convention convened that the
championed lost cause. The an
nouncement that Judge Lansden woul
not make contest also upset the be
hyerent calculations. TO one who ha
always ruled undisputed there is some
thing benumbling in the first collisio
with the pitiless hand of force, an
when the Carmack followers in today
convention came face to face with th
obdurate Patterson opposition the
ware taught the first serious lesson
stinging defeat.
GREAT OVATION OCCURS
The ovation extended Gov Patte
son. at the mention of his name, Taste
for more than half an hour 1t wi
uuprecedented in the history of IL
state. It was as spectacular as Il
campaign itself, it was as significant
other respects. 1t sounded the deptl
of state regard for Gov. Patterson al
showed how close to the public hea
he has reached,
The opening speech of Maj, E.
Wright was a classic in it's way. 1t W
dlscreet. decisive and at the same tir
40 expressive of the party ideas and
convincing in its patriotic purpos
that the audience sat in perfect silen
during the Introductory passages.
was clearly apparent that Maj. Wrig
had prepared his speech with great ca
and with the view of reuniting devi
ed party. 1t was we'll conceived in Il
respect. Tt was a splendid example
Eoglish prose. There was an argume
in every sentence, it throbbed and p
p,tated with patriotic spirit, and VIII
he presented the name OF Gov. PATTI
sau, the pent-up enthusiasm burst
b ,unds.
The auditorium was flooded with
cit ment. No stormy scene of the p
nld approach the outbreak in demo
stratiyeness. 1t was an unprecedeni
event. The applause gathered in Y
ume like the swelling Of storm.
swept from the gallery until men /
their heads in the electricity of excl
ment.
HAMILTON FIRST TO FRONT.
Hamilton county was She first