The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-27
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DEMO
CRGTIC PARTY IN THE SOUTH.

r,,p ORGANIZATION OF THE DEMO
CRATIC PARTY IN THE SOUTH.
Fro,n the Louisville CourteT-JourndL
IA is 70 he regretted that any discussion
sbould have arisen in the Southern States,
and particularly in such State as tennessee,
upor the technical organization OF the Demo
cratic marty. The elements which the violent
snirit of radicalism has thrown together at the
south are SO incongruous and as yet so un-
sbapen that they are not likely to be strength
aned nv the attempt to subject them to strict
marty limitations On the contrary, the nature
Of s1cb attempts must lead inevitably to con-
fusion and embarrassment, eliminating In dl-
vision. perhaps. at the moment when the
country has most need of q union among its
liberal forces. 1t was one of the most in
oenious devices of the radical scheme of
1Teconstruction that the States ''lately in
robellion" should come into the Union
separately and at irregular intervals, in order
that they might be so gauged and leveled, so
,bvsicked and bandaged, that they could not
perform the functions of free communities,
nor seriously threaten the Congressional ma
iorities which the radical leaders make bust
ness of looking after with uncommon watch
fulness and daring. AS if to play into the
hands of this policy as if to illuminate it and
point it out where to strike, the premature
advocates of purely nominal Democracy in
the South. inspired, apparently, by nothing
broader nor deeper than local and temporary
expedients are here and there raising up
questions of no possible import and creating
divisions of the greatest possible significance
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 Tennes-
see threatening to overcloud the sunshine of
the recent popular deliverance; and what do
we see q? Surely no good to the genuine De-
mocratic principle, and yet less to the prac-
teal Democratic organization. All that it
has developed SO far is a curious revival of
by-gone epithets little needless overhaul
ing of records; a few vague insinuations of
yerv probable consequences; some fustian
about the necessity of party unity and alliance;
something worse than fustian about ''our
Democratic friends over the border" a
trihe of ancient leaven and a great deal of
downright Buncombe. No man who under
stands the peculiar formation of Tennessee,
and the exceptional character of both the an
tecedents and the experience of her citizens,
can doubt the effect Of such a discussion. Left
to themselves the elements would mingle and
harmonic by the most natural process in the
world. Disturbed, agitated, confused, they
will not only fail to cohere or be bunglingly
strapped together but they may react again,
whilst the influence of their miserable con-
fnement and the errors of judgment Incl
dent to such q condition. can hardly fail Sc
riously to affect the people of Virginia, Texas
and Mississippi, to say nothing of the forces
of liberalism everywhere.
Not until the States 'Iately in rebellion"
are back into the Union-not until they are
safe at ''home" beyond the reach of the Con-
gressonal ody-snatchers-not until they are
able to commune on perfectly equal terms
with all the States, and to bring their portion
to whatever party they choose to join, should
they think of quitting their present most pru-
dent, tenable, impregnable line Of defense.
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 toler-
ance and progress that is best suited to the
needs of peace. They will come refreshed
and strengthened by cheering vic
tories and valuable experience in the
working out of salutary reforms, not
scorched and parched by vengeful party
passions urged by obsolete party leaders,
issues, and names. They will be prepared
for the new duties that await them and. on
account of their purihcation and experience,
they will become the props and supports-the
pillars and the bell-tower-the pride and
glory of national Democracy. Meanwhile
they can only do themselves and the Demo-
cratic party harm by abandoning a policy
which is as strategical in its operations as it
is benefcent in its teachings; which is admi-
rably suited to their peculiar situation; which
satisfies reasonable and unselfsh men of all
parties Those who counsel them otherwise
do not represent the genuine Democratic
sagacity of the North, but are either urged
by mistaken zeal or narrow preiudices 1t is
our duty to speak directly for the Democratic
party; but happily, in this instance, our duty
as partisan jumps with the extremely non
partisan interests of the Southern people,