The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-04-23
The First Round.

The opening debate between the con-
testants for the democratic nomination
for governor aroused more interest
than any political event i'll Tennessee
in long time. Chattauoogas crowded
auditorium attested to this interest,
while throughout the state thousands
were waiting eagerly to hear of the re-
suit of the details. The American gave
report of the event in the completest
detail, and every word that each speak
er uttered. The printed speeches speak
for themselves in so far as type can
convey the story, but the voice, the IN
tonation, the accent, manner Of deliv-
cry, environment, effect, inspiration,
ETC., must be observed in order to
measure more fully and accurately the
speakers efforts and the impressions
made.
Indisputably, the crowd was Pat
terson crowd. Evidence of this was
convincing to any man who was not
blind or deaf. As to the per cent that
could only be measured by the number
applauding A considerable number
either applauded very little or not at
all. The regular applause makers for
Mr.. Carmack amounted to about %
per cent Of the whole. If it was larger
it was not revealed to close observer
from point of advantage.
AS to speeches. That made by Mr..
Carmack was a studied effort. 1t had
been carefully thought and wrought
and painstakingly prepared through
many days of effort in the quiet seclu-
sion of privacy, 1t may therefore be
said to have been the best effort of it's
author who had it letter perfect, as he
always has all his speeches. 1t was de-
livered in the speakers peculiar style,
something between drawl and adrone
and sort of sing-song information sug-
gestive of a rural revivalist of the far
interior. His tone is in strange con-
trast to his words, some of his utter
ances being notably graphic or cpl
gIamic. While he carefully prepares
his speeches and carefully memories
them, he does not show to disadvant
age in sn impromptu or running CON
troversy where thought counts for lit.
tie and witty response and apt retort
count for much with the average audi
ence. AS to the subject matter of the
speech those who read it can Judge for
themselves. It is Characteristic of its
author-fault finding, picayune criti-
cism, small things being magnifed
through a solemn, serious tone into
heinouS offenses. His platform had
been published before, and we are not
undertaking to review either his or
Patterson's speech. His first unequIv.
ocal declaration on the prohibition
question was delivered in his Chatta-
nooga speech. His declaration was di-
rectly antagonistic to his utterahces to
friends recently, and is reversal OF
his policy and an abandonment of the
convictions of life time. Evidently
be felt that the logic of the situation
| demanded that be take that position,
and expediency seems to be his guild
ing star, as it often is to the politician.
It is the utter abandonment of vital
democratic principle
Gov. Patterson's speech was not pre-
pared, except as to certain parts in ref
erence to his administration, and his
position on the liquor question, for he
could not know what his competitor
was going to say. He had to wait aud
lhesr Mr.. Carmack and then reply to