Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1869-09-04
PARTIES at the south.
From the New York Times of the 9th.

From the New York Times of the 9th.l
A controversy relating to the Dem.
ocratic party engages the attention OF
many Southern journals. The key
note was struck by the Savannah Re.
publican, which rebuked the folly of
Northern Democratic nominations,
and counseled the South to keep clear
of Democratic entanglements. The
facts assigned by the Savannah jour
nalist were undoubted; the prudence
of his advice was as apparent as the
integrity of the motive which dicta-
ted It. But the old believers in the
Virginia and Kentucky resolutions
protested against interference with
their idolatry. They worship the
dead past In full hope of its joyful
resurrection. The Democratic party
is to them as the ark of the covenant;
tits the depository of the principles
and promises on which they rely for
deliverance from the denominations
Demonstration. Deprive these men
of fellowship with that party, and
you take from them their last hope.
But this class, Judging of them by
the newspapers that echo their views,
are, numerically, an almost insignid-
cant minority. More practical ideas
animate the majority. They adopt
the saying of Portuguese Minister
" Let us bury the dead and take care
of the living.n Depreciating appeals
to party traditions, they propose to
apply their brains and hands, "to de-
vefop and utilize the limitless resour-
ces" with which Providence has
blessed their section. They see that
any attempt to "galvanize the dead
party organizations of the past" will
produce only disappointment and de-
feat /; and they urge that prosperity
and peace can be secured only "by
union, justice, obedience to law,
steadfast pursuit of the right" and an
honest fulfillment of their obligations.
OF such are men who, with Repub-
lican help, elected Walker in Virgin
ia and Senter in Tennessee. Such
are they, under the name of "Conser-
tive Republican organizations" will
almost certainly carry Mississippi
and Texas in November. They
care nothing for party alliances or
party traditions. The new era has
dawned upon them, with new duties,
which they avow their readiness to
perform.
Rejecting the Democratic party, as
such, and discarding antique Demo-
critic maxims as of no more practical
account than the inscriptions on the
Pyramids, they are equally averse to
pure and simple Republican organiz-
atoms. They are anxious for lasting
pacification, on the basis of recon-
struction, and will work to that end.
But, while good judgment keeps them
back from the Northern Democracy
perhaps rinciple-keeps them apart
from extreme Republican partisan
ship. They propose to restore peace
and prosperity to their States, and for
purpose seek nOn-partisan alliances.
In this combination the foundation is
laid for a new organization, which,
for some time to come, will probably
control the political concerns of the
South.
1t is not a coalition in a corrupt on
demoralizing sense. 1t is not COM
bination from which honest Republic
cans must necessarily shrink, OIL
which Northern Republicans may
properly assail. For it stands square.
1y upon a Republican foundation
Strict compliance with the law is Sc
cured. All that Congress or the
President has enjoined is DONE
Every requirement of the Restruc.
ton acts is provided for. In respect
of principle, this newborn alliance
is identical with the out-nnd-out Re
publican party. Nothing but person.
al considerations separated them in
Virginia; nothing else separates them
in Texas or Mississippi.
The accession of the large number
Democrats who are enabling Repub'
lican minorities to perfect reconstruc,
ton and take possession of the loca
Eecutives is, then, a clear Republic
can gain. 1t accomplishes all We
have sought in the precise manne
that has been indicated; and will
this we should be satisfied.
The ultimate party result is con
tingent upon circumstances. Wheth
err q movement which contains tn,
germ of independent action result IL
the formation of third party, hold
ing the balance of power between
straight Democrats and straight Re
publicans, is a problem which tn
: course of the Administration and o
Congress will probably solve. If thu
union Impractical Democrats and mod
crate Republicans, on n Republican
platform, be treated as hostile, we cal
scarcely hope for its continued coop
Grafton. The wiser plan would seen
to be to accept the aid which !
rendered in good faith, and to cult
vate its continuance by moderation
and generosity. The duration of Re
, publican independence at the Soutl
depends upon Republicans them
a selves.