The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-05-21
FACTS 70 RENENBERI
The Nashville American Writes Intelligent
ly of Things Some
PEOPLE ARE PRONE TO FORGET

in the past and will assume the duty in
the future of wise and permanent leg
islation. The other is the cheap and
insincere bid of q minority party, made
to deceive the unwary and unthinking,
which has not had and will not have
the responsibility of legislation on this
or any other subject"
Mr.. Patterson also declared: "No
democrat can escape the obligation of
the principle of self-government, and
no one save the novice or the extremist
will pretend that such law can be en-
forced against public sentiment" Then
Mr.. Patterson said:
~ would approve law passed by
the legislature leaving it to the vote of
the people OF the larger cities where
liauor is now sold to say whether or
not they want the Adams law extended.
Or l would approve, as governor, the
extension of the Adams law to the
larger cities of the state, if the delega.
tions from those cities representing the
people recommended the extension, as
was invariably done in abolishing
charters of towns under the Adams
law. II the question was left by the
legislature to the people to determine,
and they should vote liquor out of any
city or cities where it is now sold,
would, as governor of Tennessee, ap-
prove any measure that would carry
out their expressed will on this subject,
even though it meant complete prohi.
bition in the state"
Gov. Patterson has adhered in letter
and in spirit to this policy. He has ap
proved more temperance legislation
than any ether governor in the history
of the state. He stands ready to con
tinue his policy, even if it means com
plete prohibition. He stands where hC
stood as a candidate when the peopl,
elected him. He has not changed. Th,
Anti-Saloon League has changed. Mr.
Carmack has changed. They have de
serted the democratic principle anC
platform for that of Il. Clay Evans.
Mr.. Carmack has advanced it is Il
take the position the republicans tool
two years ago; but in advancing to
republican campaign position he ha
retrograded from the democratic posi-
tion and abandoned democratic prin
ciple which he has preached all his lif
and until ten days ago. We oppos
him in his erratic campaign, but W
: are not enough his enemy to exult owe
his error or to rejoice over mis- mistake
: Even if he should win he would be
loser.
, 1t is not true that the issue in thi
! contest is prohibition. The real issu
bluntly put is whether Patterson sha
be refused the Endorsement of secon
, term and turned out to make room fC
I q politician out of job. So far as ii
q question which has been dragged in b
a the heels merely for campaign purpose
figures as an issue, it is a question
g whether prohibition shall be extende
under the democratic principle of loo
!. self-government through which it b
grown until it now applies to mo
than AZ, 900 of the 42,040 square mil
= Of the state, or whether it shall be Q
: tended regardless of this principle, r
- gardless of all former democratic pr
= - fessions and democratic platforms, I
:, gardless CT theAnti-Ssloon Leagues fc
- - mer declarations, regardless of all forl
," er understandings and agreements wi
the democratic party through which
Is temperance legislation in Tenness
IN has been accomplished, and in acco
70 with the efforts of Gov. Patterson's G
30 emies to defeat him at any cost, and
" accord with the republican platform
or which 81. Clay Evans sought to
rs elected governor two years ago, a
III every intelligent voter knows it. VIII
Is ever the result may be, from this prt
De oAition thera ia no aRcana.