Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-25
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DEMO
CRATIC PARTY IN THE SOUTH
OURSELVES, THE BANNER AND
COUNTRY EXCHANGES.


Under the heading "The Organi-
cation of the Democratic party in
the South" the Louisville Courier
Journal of yesterday contains an
editorial from which we propose to
extract sufficiently to indicate its
tenor, and to form a pertinent text
to a brief, and we trust, final refer
ence to what we have to say in re-
gard to "the newspaper controversy
which has blown up in Tennessee,
and in which we have borne a re.
luctant part. 1t says:
1t is to be regretted that any discussion
should have arisen in the Southern States,
and particularly in such State az Ten
nessee, upon the technical organization of
the Democratic party. The elements which
the violent spirit of Radicalism has thrown
together at the South are 80 homogeneous
and as yet 30 unshspen that they are not
likely to be strengthened by the attempt TO
subject them to strict party limitations. 4
As if to play into the
hands of this policy, as if to illu-
inmate it and point it out where
to strike. the premature advocates of a
purely nominal Democracy in the South,
inspired, apparently, by nothing broader
nor deeper than local and temporary ex-
Incidents. are here and there raising up
questions of no possible import and crea-
ting divisions of the greatest possible zig
nificance and danger.
Take, for example, as the most palpable
illustration of the folly of this species of
ultra zeal in a mistaken direction, the
newspaper controversy which has blown
up in Tennessee, threatening to over.
cloud the sunshine Of the recent popular
deliyerance, and what do we see? Surely
no good to the genuine Democratic
principle and yet less TO the practical
Democratic organization.
No man who understands the
uecnliar formation of Tennessee, and the
exceptional character of both the autece-
dents and the experience of her citizens,
can doubt the effect of such discussion.
Left 10 themselves the elements
would mingle and harmonic by the
most natural process in the world.
We do not doubt that
when they come to make a choice, and are
in position to make their choice a thing
of some consequence, they will blend into
that great Democratic body which realizes
the spirit at once Of tolerance and progress
that is best suited TO the needs of peace.
They will come refreshed and strengthened
BY cheering victories and valuable exper-
fence won in the working out Of salUtary
reforms, not scorched and parched by
yeneeful party passions urged by obsolete
marty leaders, Issues and names. They
will be prepared for the new duties that
await them, and, on account of their puri-
fcation and experience, they will become
the props and supports-the pillars and
the bell-tower-the pride and glory of ma
tioasl Democracy.
The Courier Journal concludes
it's article thus:
Meanwhile they can only do themselves
and the Democratic party harm by aban-
doniug policy which is as strategical in
its operations as it is bene6cent in its
teachings; which is admirably suited TO
their peculiar situation which sstisfies
reasonable aud uRselGsh men Of all par.
ties. Those who counsel them otherwise
DO not represent the genuine Democratic
sagHity of the North, but are either urged
by mi taken zeal or narrow prejudices. 1t
is our duty TO speak directly for the Dem
ocratic party; but happily, 10 this in.
stance, our duty as partisan jumps with
the extremely bipartisan interests ofthe
Southern people. ...
Now, if we understand this ques-
ton, there has been, among the
press of Tennessee which opposes
Republicanism, no proposition or
scheme for "the technical organi
zation of the Democratic party in