The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-10-29
A MAN OF GREAT FORCE.

A MAN OF GREAT FORCE.
Those who heard Gov. Patterson
speak last night must have been inn
pressed with his earnestness, sincerity
and courage. Those who have watch
ed his career since he came into the
chief executives chair must admit that
he has been wise and progressive and
careful of the states interests. Those
who have seen him in political fights
and forensic combats, whether favoring
or opposing him, must admit his great
ability and tireless energy. No demo-
crat has cause to fear that, as governor,
he will not serve the state we'll No
democrat need fear that in dealing with
his republican opponent he will fail TO
give good account of himself. 1t is
in no way meant to be disrespectful
when we say that Mr.. Tillmans can
didacy against man like Gov. Patter-
son is joke and poor one. 1t is not
even good nonsense, Tennessee is DEM
ocratic and will remain so; but the can
didate for governor might swap parties
and platforms, Tillman becoming the
democratic nominee and Patterson the
republican nominee, and the governor
would win hands down.
Gov. Patterson's has been strenu-
Gus life. He has had to fight and fight
hard against apparently overwhelming
odds for every foot of ground he has
gained and his victories have always
been surprises. 1t were folly to deny
that when he started out in his cam
paign with Senator Carmack last sum-
mer he was at disadvantage. The
general opinion was that the brilliant
ex-senator was an overmatch for him.
Only those who knew him well had
faith. Only those who knew both men
well correctly prophesied the result. To
them there was nothing perplexing or
problematical in the contest. They
correctly gauged the dynamic forces
and potential powers of each man. He
justified their confidence and vindicat-
ed their prophecies.
The analitical mind may find enter
tainment in seeking to solve the secret
of his wonderful power. He has a
magnetism that attracts all who come
in close contact with him and which
holds them firmly evermore. He has
a quick, discerning mind and a perspi-
cacity that enables him TO see through
what is Opaque to the less acute-vision-
ed.
1 Then his marvellous courage! What.
ever he thinks should be done, whether
it is buying mansion for the chief ex.
ecutive or liberating the youths, the
unfortunates and the helpless, he does
it without regard to consequences. He
does nothing for political effect Al
governor he is in no sense partisan. HI,
does not want the office unless he car
do something for the people while oc
cupying it. He is not afraid of defeat
} In or out of office he can take care o
himself.
! Gov. Patterson has progressive ideas
: He has broken the shell of conserva
tism and timorousneSs which has hel,
back this state. He has turned Ten
l nessee loose and given the latent force
I within her opportunity to expand AM
, realize their possibilities.
OF Gov. Patterson's eloquence moth
$ ing need be said to those who hav
a heard him. Graceful, rhetorically az
curate, choice and elegant in his dictior
: he charms while instructing and elt
= Yates while convincing. He does nc
!, require the adventitious aids of th
l. schools, nor would the adventitiou
II aids of the schools suffice were it nj
e for the honesty and sincerity of his u
e terances, which, at last, is the secrt
L and the soul of true eloquence
The democratic party is proud {
y such a man and Tennesseans of all pa
J, ties should be proud of him. He is a
k honor to his party, to the state, to th
;, south.-Chattanooga News.