Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-01-10
If there ever was a time in our his.


If there ever was time in our his
tory, when unanimity Of action on
the part Of the friends of constitution
al liberty, was an absolute necessity,
that time is now. The struggle for
ascendancy in the government is be.
tween the supporters Of usurpation
and tyranny, on the one side, and on
the other, by the supporters of the
Constitution and the rights pertain
ing, under it, to States and individu-
als. The latter are known as demo-
Gratis in the North, whilst in the
South, some call themselves Conser-
vatiyes aud others, Independents.
This is all wrong. Let us fight under
common Gag, leaving minor shades
Of Indifference, for future adjustment
If We would succeed there must be
but two parties to the contest, and
since the northern democrats have
organized under their origina! name,
and won victories Of incalculable
value to the South, the southern peo-
pic ought to organize under the same,
and every one Of the opposition en-
roll himself under the banner of the
allies who not only tender their aid.
but upon whom must fall the weight
of the conflict. .....
Conservatives, in harmony with
the name, must be for conserving the
existing state of things, negro su-
premacy, military dcspotism and ev-
cry othe Radical innovation upon the
original character of the government
Independents, to be consistent, can act
with neither party, and taking no de-
cisive stand, fritter away their inhu-
cnce and strength, giving no aid to
those they most favor and a sort of
negative support to those for whose
defeat they profess to be anxious
they are drones in the great opposi.
ton hive. The democratic party has
taken its stand in defense of the Con.
stitution aud civil liberty. 1t is for
subverting military rule and negro
= prcmacy and bringing back the
govrnment to first principles. These
are the vital objects for which We are
contending, and having no party and
believing this to be no time to try
to resusoitate an old, or build up Il
new one, we take our stand upon the
democratic platform and pledge to it
our humble support. Past differences
now of no vital Import, We fling to
the winds and to that party we offer
our hand aada hearty cooperation in
the great work Of restoration. We
are not conservative in the literal |,
sense OF the term, neither are we an
independent for the reason that we
can do nothing on that platform,
aud there is no place for US except in
the ranks Of the party which has ia.
ken the lead, and is successfully bat
Ting for the principles we uphold
States rights, as defined by the IA
theirs of the old government, aud all
the rights and privileges deducible
IN coming to this resolve, we are
influenced by an earnest wish TO aid
IN saving the country, by co-opera-
ting with the only party that has any i
chance to accomplish that object.
In doing this, We change no former !
opinion on tho subject of the admin
lstration OF the government in view
Of the constitution and the best inter. a
'sts OF the country; nor do We sacra.
ice our Independence, being az free c
o quit the party, should it abandon J
is present policy, as we are to act /
With it now. We want the Radicals
- be confronted by an unbroken de.
nocrltic party, North and South,
md invite all political guerrilIas to
o join the main body, enlist as regu-
ars under the flag Of the only party i
hat is recognized as a belligerent
,ower. a third party, were il prac- =
icable to organize it, could have NJ \
'thcr effect now than to demoralize 7
y opposition and give the victory a
10 the Radicals. c
The Radicals have had two years g
.ai nine months in which to test the y