The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-03-19

= AS HS0Op0E- Stittt pc gIrlHas just COM
pleted. has been one or the most re-
markable murder cases In the history
OF the south, not only because Of the
prominence Of the principals in the
tragedy, but because of the reasons
that led to the killing.
Col. Duncan 81 Cooper, a former Of
fcer in the Confederate. army under
Forrest and q man very prominent in
democratic state politics; once lived at
Columbia, Tenn. In that town also re :
sided Edward Ward Carrnack, young
lawyer, who also did some newspaper
work. Cooper bought The Nashville
American, and induced Carmack! ito
come to Nashville as it's editor. Wha&h-
er the men ever were in thorough ac-
cord, Is disputed point Colonel
Cooper swore on the stand that they
were close friends until Governor Tay-
lor opposed Carmack for re-eiection TO
the senate. This fight was long and
bitter. A feature of it was q series
of Joint debates, and Carrnack lost
Cooper supported Taylor but Robin,
the boy who killed the senator, sup
ported the latter.
Malcolm F.. Patterson was governor
of the state at the time of the Car
mack Taylor fight, and he announced
his candidacy for re- election. Car
mack Just beaten for the senate was
urged into the race for governor
against Patterson. This was last June
and the fight between the men for the
democratic nomination was the most
spectacular ever seen in Tennessee.
Again, joint debates were arranged,
and again the feeling between the fac
tions grew very bitter. In these de-
bates. Cooper charged that Carmack
assailed the colonel's good name.
Cooper was an ardent Patterson man
the governor on the stand described
him as my closest personal and politi-
cal adviser" Again, Carmack lost,
and, a month before the election, be-
came editor OF The Nashville Tennes-
sean He had made the race on the
prohibition platform, and, while he did
not get the nomination, he did secure
enough representatives to assure the
passage of the so-called statewide
liquor bill
In the meantime, Governor Patter-
son and former Governor Cox, once
deadly enemies. were reconciled The.
Tennessean charged that Colonel
about, and referred to 1t in humorous
and sarcastic vein in its editorial coli
umns. CarmaclS also intimated that,
lo save Governor Patterson. the demo-
cratic leaders were preparing to trade
Bryan for the governorship. Colonel
Cooper was chatting under the COM
nent, and, becoming more incensed
every day. On Sunday, Nov. 8, the day
before the killing, the Following ed
kOraai appeared in The Tennessean:
"Aoross the Muddy Chasm,
1--WE trust there viii be no unseemly
F1baldry on the part OF the base vulgar
concerning the happy reunion of long
sunderad hearts which was accom-
piished in the Joyous reconciliation of.
His HxceIlenoy. Hon. M. r, Patterson
and His Ex- Excellency, Hon. John
Isaac Cox. lAIl honor to that noble
spirit, Major Duncant Brown Cooper,
who wrought this happy reunion Of
cCngenial and conhuxible spirits sep
mSa&ed by evil fates although both for
each other. All honor to Major Dune
ana may the blessing Of the Peace
uaMHer be upon him May he be heir
10 at the beakftudes. and especially
&o me blessing reserved for those who
hunxsr and thirst after righteousness.
Ard there goes also q blessing to His
TxceIiency-for as he has been nerci
Hui to Cox, so shall he obtain mercy.
"But the choicest blessings, as is
Aght and proper, are for Governor Cox
himself. For IL there be any reward
for meelSness, and any for enduring
persecution for righteousness sake he
shaal inherit the earth and his Is the
Eringdom OF heaven. Yet such Is the
rneelnesa of his spirit that we doubt
not that Governor Cox would be en-
tirely com4orted with the meek mans
reward
III we pause here briefly to review
the unhappy differences that have
armed these valiant souls against each
other, It Is for no purpose OF renewing |
the strife, but rather Of emphasizing |
by contrast the felicity Of the present
situation. II will serve also, to bring |
cut In bold relief the gracious spirit
which enables Governor Patterson to
scondeecend to men of law estate lift |
up where he has trampled down and
Law q poultice OF warm words upon the
reputation he has so fearfully bruised. |
Yt WIN teach also those who most un-
Justly have regarded Governor Cox as
a man OF proud and naughty spirit, |
that he is In fact. man of modest
stiffness and humility one who can
forget the injuries most grievous, for
give insults the most fagrant, endure |
every assault upon his honor and good
name without resentment. and. In gem
eral. humble himself that he may be
exalted 1t will also show that no one
can ever sin away his day Of grace /
with the present all merciful machine; |
That no man can ever become so vile,
10 degraded, SO corrupt in its estima
ton that it Is not ready to raise him
vp and load him with dignity and hon
ors IL he will only give up everything /
and serve with fidelity and singleness
OF heart
cit will be remembered that Govrd.
ernor Patterson professed to have only1
one great motive in seeking the oftiee3
of governor-the wholly patriotic and
ilnselnsh desire to purge the state ut Il
the shame and infany brought upon il /
by Cox and the Cox machine. He
openly declared that he would rather
some other than ne had the task and
the honor. but his soul would not con
sent that such a man as Cox should
ne The governor Of Tennessee. He
charged that Cox had degraded and de-
bauclaed the politics Of the state; he
represented him as the plant tool OF
the saloon and the corporations: he
charged that ne was democrat only In
name. republican In fact: he called Il
hlra q traitor to the democratic party
u - e.