The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1911-02-10
Fcr Trustee.
Passing.of Party Lines.


have brought us to realize truth that
seemed almost incredible few years
ago many years ago impossible. Dem
ocrats have fused with Republicans, and
now Democracy is faced with double-
cross. The Prohibition fusion brought
about the election Of Republican for
Governor. The anti-Prohibition fusion
elected Republican for State Treas
urer One pact was sealed in the gem
eral election, the other the result Of a
legislative cohesion, and the ruling pas
sion overthrow every other principle
heretofore the guide Of political action
There is no use discussing local option.
IT is simply the guise Of an anti-Pro-
hibitionist.)
With the first fusion came the stigma
OF disloyalty charged TO ono side; the
counter fusion swept the State, and now
no Democrat or Republican has right
to set up for himself an incontestible
claim upon his party.
Tennessee has been for many years
Democratic stronghold and would in all
likelihood be for many more but for a
combination Of events growing out of
single mistake--the action OF Cover
nor Frazier in allowing himself to be
precipitated into the Senatorial arena
eight years ago. Governor Frazier had
pledged himself to serve the people OF
Tennessee as Governor, but the siren
Avoice pleased his fancy and reason was
Ahaken by the winds Mr.. Cox, the
Rlker Of the upper branch Of the
islature, took the Governors seat
10y succession. Governor Cox served for
two years and then came before the
people for an Endorsement to the same
Office. All was quiet and serene. The
Governor had served the people we'll,
but smouldering antagonisn had been
engendered by Senator Frazier and it
descended upon Governor Cox, his sue
cessor. Ex-Governor Robt. j. Taylor
had been disappointed over Mr. Fra
tiers election to the Senate, and his
friends throughout the State had a.
grudge to settle with Mr. Cox. 1t was
at this stage Of the game that Malcolm
r. Patterson resigned his seat in Con-
gress and came back to Tennessee,
new Richmond with sword in hand, to
challenge Governor Cox in fight for
the Democratic nomination. Governor
Cox was arraigned before the bar Of |
the people for grievous wrongs. The
campaign was stirred to fever heat with |
the agitation Of Governor Cox's alleged
delinquencies. A Stormy Petrol was
Governor Patterson. He was swept on
a wave Of animosity into the Governors
scat and Mr., Cox went down, as the
friend OF Frazier, to defeat.
Then came the contest between Sena-
tor Carmack and Ex-Governor Taylor
for the United States Senate. Political
preiudices we're rekindled and Carmack
suffered for the sins OF omission or COM
mission according to his relation with
the Frazier episode Governor Patter-
son was a candidate for reelection two
years later, and Mr. Carmaek, retired
to the lecture platform, was urged and
influenced by the friends OF Prohibition
to espouse the cause and become the
champion Of its standard against Pat
terson, who was an avowed anti-Pro-
for the Democratic nomina-
ton. 1t was q war of the giants, both
men OF fiery mein and warlike spirit.
A bitter feeling had already existed be-
tween them on account Of the defeat
for Congress Of the Governors father
by Mr., Carmack ia a contested election
case. Many of Mr. Carmack 5 best
friends doubted the wisdom Of his
choice, and numbers Of these friends
were Prohibitionists (sate-widers), but
The battle waged and men were iuaamed
10 the highest pitch. Governor Patter- ,
son was elected and then the denoue-
ment, the tragic death Of Mr. Carmack.
This was the condition of Tennessee
politics when Governor Patterson under
took to use the election machinery to ,
lis advantage for nomination 70 third
Ierm This added fuel to the flames and
Democrats forgot their traditions and
reeds. The separation was complete
Governor Patterson saw his mistake. 9