The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-20
FACTS THAT LED ID CARMACK' DEATH Details of Case Form Renarka- bIe Chapter in History POLITICS IN THE AFFAIR carmaok and Cooper We're Once Good Friends, But Became Estranged
 Through the Enmities
 of Politics.
POLITICS IN THE AFFAIR

Nashville, Tenn, March 1s.-The Cooper Sharp trial, just completed, has been one of the most remarkable 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 tha t led to the killing
 Col. Duncan B. Cooper former officer in the Confederate army under Forrest. and a man very prominent in Democratic state politics, once lived at Columbia, Tenn. In that town also resided Edward Ward Carmack, a young lawyer, who also did some newspaper work. Cooper bought the Nashville American and induced Car mack to come to Nashville as it's editor Whether the men ever were in thorough accord is a disputed point Carmacks S friends says not. Colonel Cooper swore on the stand that they were close friends until Governor Taylor opposed Carmack for reelection to the Senate. This fight was long and bitter. A feature of it was series of joint debates, and Carmack lost. Cooper supported Taylor, but Robin. the boy who killed the Senator, support. ed the latter.
 Governors Race.
 Malcolm R. Patterson was governor of the state at the time of the CarmaclS- Taylor fight, and he announced his candi- dacy for reelection. Carmack just beat en for the Senate, was urged into the race for governor against Patterson. This was 1ov ct +bo
 for the Democratic nomination was the most spectacular ever seen in Tennessee. Again, joint debates were arranged and again the feeling between the factions grew very bitter. In these debates, Coop CT charged that Carmack assailed the colonel's good name. Cooper was an ar dent Patterson man-the governor on the stand described him as my closest per- sonal and political adviser" Again Car mack lost, and, a month before the cleo ton, became editor of the Nashville Ten nessean. 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 state wide liquor bill.
 In the meantime, Governor Patterson and former Governor Cox, once deadly en- emies, were reconciled. The Tennessean charged that Colonel Cooper brought this reconciliation about and referred to it in a humorous and sarcastic vein in it's ed itorial columns. Carmack also intimated that, to save Governor Patterson, the Democratic leaders were preparing to trade Bryan for the governorship. Colo mel Cooper was chafing under the com ment and becoming more incensed every day. On Sunday, November 8, the day be- fore the killing, the following editorial appeared in the Tennessean:
 Across the Muddy chasm."
 We trust there will be no unseemly ribaldry on the part of the base vulgar concerning the happy reunion of long sun- dered hearts which was accomplished in the joyous reconciliation of his excellen- cy, Hon. M. R. Patterson and his excel lency, Hon. John Isaac Cox. All honor to that noble spirit, Maj. Duncan Brown Cooper, who wrought this happy reunion of congenial and confluxble spirits, sepa- rated by evil fates, although born for each other. All honor to Major Dune, and may the blessing of the peacemaker be upon him. May he be heir to all the beat itudes, and especially to the blessing re- served for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. And there goes also blessing to his excellency, for as he has been merciful to Cox, so shall he obtain mercy.
 But the choicest blessings as is right and proper are for Governor Cox himself For if there be any reward for meekness and any for enduring persecution for righteousness sake, he shall inherit the earth and his Is the kingdom of heaven. Yet such is the meekness of his spirit that we doubt not that Governor Cox would be entirely comforted with the meek mans reward
 If 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. It will serve also to bring out in bold relief the gracious spirit which enables Governor Patterson to 'condescend to men of low estates,' lift up where he has trampled down, and lay a poultice of warm words upon the reputation he has so fearfully bruised. It will teach also those who most unjustly have regarded Governor Cox as a man of proud and naughty spirit, that he is in fact a man of modest stiffness and humility, one who can forget injuries the most grievous, for give insults the most fragrant, endure every assault upon his honor and good name without resentment, and in general humble himself that he may be exalted It will also show that no one can ever sin away his day of grace with the pres ent all merciful machine; that no man can ever become so vile. so degraded, so cor rupt in its estimation that 1t is not ready to raise him up and load him with dignity and honors if he only will give up every- thng and serve 1t with fidelity and single ness of heart.
 Tt will be remembered that Governor Patterson professed to have only one great motive in seeking the office of gov ernor-the wholly patriotic and unselfish desire to purge the state of the shame and infamy brought upon 1t by Cox and the Cox machine. He openly declared that he would rather some other than he had the task and the honor, but his soul would not consent that such a man as Cox should be the governor of Ten nessee. He charged that Cox had de- graded and debauched the politics of the state; he represented him as the plant too of the saloon and the corporations; he l charged that he was democrat only ir name. a republican in fact; he called him a traitor to the democratic party Not | only that, but he viciousy assailed his personal honor, his pecuniary integrity and from every stump in Tennessee he | pictured him in the bitterest words in his vocabulary as a common grafter. And | the whole crowd joined their voices in one | universal chOrua of accuaatiOn-scrOolx