The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1914-09-18
AS TO RYE WE
MAY ONLY INFER


| at is no wonder that faction is
so productive of vices of all kinds
for. besides that it influences all the
passions, it tends much to remove
those great restraints, honor and
shame; when men find that no in
iauity can lose them the applause of
their own party, and no innocence
secure them against calumnies of
the opposite"
Humes History of England, Vol.
6, page 273.
Thus wrote the historian during
the reign of Charles II.
We are strongly reminded of the
truth expressed in relation to our
public affairs in Tennessee today.
In time to come Governor Hooper
will be written down as one of the
greatest men in the history of the
state. As rule we do not appre-
ciate the character and powers of a
public man until after he is gone.
Governor Hooper went into the gu
bernatorial chair under trying cir
cumstances, and has had to fight as
no other executive of the state ever
had.
His enemies have been the raven
ing wolves and hyenas of corrupt
political factions and outlaws ready
to appeal to any method or resort to
any means, defying the laws and the
rights of the citizens of the state.
He has fought the battles for pre-
serving the purity of elections as
well as the social welfare of the citi-
zens.
His course has been eminently pat
riotic. He has risen above partizan
lines, and his whole course has been
absolutely as governor of Tennessee.
In appointments he has gone so far
as to reach clear over the lines, and
select regulars, when he thought the
best interests of the state demanded
it:
Now, all these virtues and ability
does not save him from the shafts
Ct vituperation and abuse, and mo
innocence secures him against calum-
Mes
Where there is government there
is always political parties, and it is
right that there should be, when
properly COHuuCCSu'
A party is the outgrowth of diff
ference in understanding as to the
best policy in conducting the affairs
Of government. With this view it is
for the best that parties arise, in
order that public questions may be
properly discussed and understood.
There is no question but that has
two sides to it. Unfortunately, it is
often the case that one side is right,
and the other is wrong, morally,
But it is also the case that questions
arise, in which only questions of ex-
pediency and policy alone are invol-
we'd, as in the tariff, reciprocity ard
the like.
The questions now and for some
time past, have been of morally and
patriotism. On these one is right
and the other wrong. One is for the
welfare and best interests of the
state, effecting the present and fu-
ture generations. Corrupt or dis
honest elections lead to anarchy and
to brute force and disre
gard for the rights of the citizens.
Under them corrupt scoundrels
would place men of like ilk in power
to rob and plumber the common
wealth and enslave present and un-
born children. 1t is the duty of
every citizen to see to it and stand
by every other citizen in exercising
a free, unquestioned exercise of his
in casting his ballot as
he sees for the best interests of the
state and that ballot to be counted
as cast. 1t matters not whether that
ballot be republican, democratic,
socialist or what not.
That is patriotic and is to be COM |
The recent election for SUI
preme judge brought out something
that all should notice. The very |
count at Memphis shows that some
thing was rotten there. Again, on
the other side, narrow partizan
Dlunder in Knox County prevented
a full and free expression of the
public. These things should be con-
iemned to the utmost
Another view of politics is that it
is a combination of self-constituted
posses, whose business it is to corral
The votes, and dictate who shall hold
The offices, regardless of conse-
luences.
A feature of this kind of politics
hat is discouraging is, that so many
good citizens are willingly corralled.
Two years ago there were many pat
'iotic democrats who voted for Nc
MILAN for governor and at the same
line prayed earnestly for the cleo
ion of Hooper. They did that in
,rder to be regular" with their
party. There are those now who will
support Rye, simply because he is
he nominee of a certain party. We
lave heard it said that the governor
an do bu'. little any way, admitting
Iooper's ability and qualifications
md his courage, in the discharge Of
uty, and that what we want TO dc
S to look to the legislature. It is
IL right to look to the legislature
nd send only men the right kind
here. At the same time we need q J.