Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
One Day for the State.

Thorc Is only ono political party in the
field in tho present State canvass, openly
setting forth and defending certain princi-
plies and Offering certain candidates for Of
flee. That party is the Union Constitutional
Reform and Reorganization party, II has
no open political opposition, II has many
bitter adycrsaries, but they intend to do
their work, not by open canvass and an OBJ
posing ticket, but by staying away from the
polls themselves, and inducing others 10 do
likewise. From these reasons, from the
Tact that the canvass Is one sided and will
have no opposition either on the stump or
in the public press, there is reason TO ap,
prchcnd that a light vote will be pollcd on
the I'D instant now on y eleven days dis
Mul, We know by experience that il is al
most impossible TO create any enthusiasm,
or very deep interest among the masses in
II onc-Sdcd contest If no opposition be
offered to the ticket, even its friends will
grow IukcWam in consequence Of the alb.
sOutc certainty Of success. And vet. 10 re-
peat what We have often urged before. the
moral weight Of the vote in favor of the
proposed constitutional amendment depends
almost wholly upon lis numerical strength
or ut least the moral weight Of the election
does, for the principle offered to the poo
pie for their approval are based on eternal
truth, and will endure forever Hence it
becomes question Of vital Importance
what means are best adapted to secure the
attendance Of every liberal, law and order
voter at the polls To-day is the llth, and
the vote on the amendments is to be taken
on the 22d, The time for work is brief
and glidcs rapidly away. There is apathy
among the people. If the pro slavery par
ty dared to enter the field publicly, an in.
tense excitement would folw and ,cycry
vote would be polcd Men feel careless, for
the reason that they see the amendments
will be carried, This is not enough; they
must be carried by Il large vote. We be
Iicyc that if the friends Of Reform and Re
organization throughout the State would
agree to give up all other business except
that Of soliciting votes, on election day, the
vote polcd would be at least double what it
will be if no extraordinary steps be taken
in the case, We appeal to the business men
Of Nashville, where the amendment should
receive tremendous impulse, if this is ask
ing too much OF them, in a matter Of such
moment? Can they not lock up their
stores, shops countingrooms, and offices,
and give one day to the State? Let the
merchant drop his silks, cloths, and domcs-
tics, the grocer his wares the lawyer his
books and briefs, the mechanic his tools.
the physician his medicines as far as posi-
bic, and let them all spend that day upon
the streets talking and pleading the cause
Of civil law Business men of Nashville,
we tell You that if you can succeed in ar.
rousing the people as they should be arous-
ed to a sense Of the value Of this work il
will be worth millions of dollars to your
city We cntreat you do not leave this
work to newspapers and politicians put
your own hands to the pillow. and do not
look backward until it be conSummatcd.-
In the great city Of Chicago, on the day Of
the late Presidential election. business houses
were closed by general consent throughout
the city. Let us follow the example let
every man become a solicitor and canvasscr
for votes on the 22d inst All hands to tho
ropes. and give "a long pull, and strong
pull, and pull all together, for the sake
of Tennessee. Davidson county including
Nashville pollcd only thirteen hundred and
odd votes last November. We have no da-
ta lust at hand to make calculation. but
we think the vote should be four or five
times rs large at least Wctrust that some
OF our prominent citizens will take the lead
in this matter Immediately. Perhaps as
good plan Is any to begin WITH would be
for some Of our business men to send in