The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-02-07
JOINT pEsATEs

/ Democrats OF Tennessee wtthout
regard to their preference. wiz hope
that there wiz be a joint campaign
between Senator Carmack and Gov
Patterson AS a matter Of fact. L Is
nard TO see how either one OF these
gentlemen, if he so desired, could
avoid a joint debate Senator Car
mack has set at rest all doubt that
may have existed as to his position in
| the matter. Gov. Patterson IL on
record for a joint debate, having chal-
lenged Gov. Cox to meet him when he
opened his campaign. For the lat
Ler's refusal he was denounced by the
present executive from every stump
in the State.
The joint canvass has been more
popular in Tennessee than In any
other State of the Union. In every
campaign for three quarters OF a cen
tury public sentiment has favored a
Joint discussion of the issues Of the
campaign and the most notable cam
paigns in the history Of the State have
been those in which the candidates
met each other face to face on the
hastings. In the years proceeding the
war, during the Augustan era Of the
States political history, the joint can
vass was the rule. Since the war 1t
has been the exception.
Perhaps the first notable series OF
Joint discussions in Tennessee was
the campaign between James K. Polk
and Newton Cannon in 1889. The
State had been in the Wing column
for many years and the Democrats
nominated the most conspicuous lead
err of their party, who had Just served
with credit as Speaker of the National
House Of Representatives. Polk was
one OF the most logical reasoners and
strongest debaters of his day. His
brilliant canvass redeemed the State
to the Democrats.
Two years later the Wings nominated
lean Jimmie" Jones. The latter met
Folks logic with keen satire and
ready repartee; he demolished the
splendid fabric of Folks argument by
well told anecdotes. Jones defeated
Polk, but two years later they were
again chosen the nominees OF their
respective parties and the debates OF
1S41 were repeated.
Another very notable campaign IN
the States history was that between
the intrepid Bob Hatton, a prince OF
orators and gallant soldier, and
Tsham G. Harris, the latter just be-
ginning his long and brilliant career
In public life. This was in 1857 when
Know Nothingism" was the rage.
That was probably the most notable
series of joint debates ever known In
With merciless denuncia-
ton, convincing logic and soul-stir-
ring eloquence Harris arraigned the {
policies of the socalled I
American party. In Hatton he found {
i competitor worthy of his steel and {
he debates were frequently acrimo- I
Nous.
The one notable joint campaign c
,ince the war was that between Bob c
md ALI Taylor in 1886. This cam L
,aign was novel in many respects, i
tut it attracted unusual interest, pri- t
narily because of the unique and un- +
recedented spectacle of brothers be- S
ng the opposing candidates. This +
ontest became known as the War g
4 the Roses" being so christened e
y George H. Armistead, then win h
ing his laurels In the newspaper
yorld as the staff correspondent Of q
paper, over the non de u
lume, "Armiel." c.
The only other joint debates be-
ween candidates for Governor since "
he war were those in 1888 between m
OBJ Taylor and Sam Hawkins and In "
904 between Frazier and Littleton. q
he people demanded a Joint discus IA
on two years ago, but only one Of q
lie candidates being willing they were
"e