Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-01
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY--A Ma
TTONAI CONVENTION.

TIONAL CONVENTION.
Recently, in response to the action OF
several State Conventions of the Demo
cratic party in the Northern States, the
chairman Of the National Democratic
Committee, at Washington, published a
circularsuggestinga National Convention
Of that party and those who act with it,
to meet in New York city, in May next
As s journal sympathizing with that
organization in the sharp issues which 1t
has made against radicaHsm, aud pros
Tossing under whatever name and style
the Conservatives may rally, to be one in
the contest, we take the liberty Of saying
that this movement is ill-timed and IN
discreet There is nothing of practical
good that can be accomplished by such a
convention at that time, and much posi-
bic harm that might ensue. IL is not
necessary to re affirm the principles which
govern the Conservative party. They are
in the constitution. 1t Is not contempla-
ted 10 nominate candidates for the Presi-
dency and Vice Presidency this summer.
We, therefore, can perceive no necessity
for such a meeting. The assembling
Of such a body could only have the
effect Of cohering the organization
Of the Radical party, now crumbhng to
pieces in its own corruption 1t would be
the signal for its ambitious leaders to
abandon their feuds, and drill their forces
into perfect discipline 1t is the true
policy to allow them to work out their
programme, and when they put them
selves before the country, it viii be the
seasonable time for the Conservatives to
organize in opposition. The question in
controversy does not require a long Sc
ries Of resolutions to explain it. 1t is
simple aud comprehensive to the COM
monest understanding 1t is the Federal
Union under the constitution, or a con-
solidated government whose powers are
to be fixed by the creed Of the party il
power. 1t will not take time to range
under these banners A premature
movement Of the friends Of the country
would be impolitic in itself, and NIGH
lead to divisions which would weaker
their power, when the time arrives FOL
unity and action We say then, tina
this project should be discarded Before
it becomes necessary TO perfect the de
tails of the Conservative organization, We
have hope that Radical extremism vii
have 80 Disguised the country that thu
triumph will be secure.
In this connection, however, we vii
add a word that has needed to be said fol
some time. There is a disposition, (w'
are glad to know though that it is no
very prevalent or deep-seated,) amonl
some Conservatives who formerly were
attached to the old Wing party, TO objec
to what they call the reviying of th'
Democratic party. They allow themselves
to ruminate upon the past They were
wont to be in violent opposition to thu
party under that name and they remem
Der mere names with more distinctnes'
than they note changes and current
events with accuracy This should no
be Whatever errors sins if any 81
choose to call them, the Democratic party
antecedent to the war, NAV have commit
ted, have been atoned for by the con
sistent and manly adherence to the con
stitution which it has maintained; anC
have been expiated in defeat No true
man should hesitate ally himself witt
that organization which has preserved
itself true to the principles Of the gov
eminent through the stormy vicissitude'
of a revolution. 1t is no time for men t.
permit their patriotic action to be fetterec
by party preiudices If most effective
opposition to the reckless dangers Of radi
calism can be made under the banner Of
that organization, it is the duty Of every
man to purge his mind Of such petty
views. 1t is evidence Of narrow and con
tracted mind to do otherwise The Con-
ssryatiye sentiment which seeks to save
this government is above that level The
name is unimportant It is the principle
aud the great object that should control
our action.