Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-10-27
THE DUTY OF REPUBLICANS.

THE DUTY OF REPUBLICANS.
AS the time approaches for holding the
election for members of Congress and of
the Legislature, Sthe feeling deepens and
leading men on both sides are preparing to
unite their forces upon the man who, In
their opinion, will best represent the prin-
ciples they hold, and who is most likely
to draw the full support of his party. In
this case, as in most others, independent
candidates viii, to a large extent, be ig-
nored, and the strength Of the different
parties be given to the support of their re-
s~pective nominees. A few personal friends
will, doubtless, cling to the men of their
choice regardless of conventions, but the
history of elections does not warrant us in
supposing that any one man can, In these
times of p%artizan excitement, hope to work
a revolution In his favor against the chosen
standard-bearer of either party. tits per-
fectly natural that such should be the case
and for the best of reasons-the most i'm
portant of which is. that political parties
were not organized for the purpose OF
elevating certain men to Office, but for the
sake of advancing certain principles which
the different organizations believe it to be
consistent with their interest to advocate.
In the present instance, the fundamental
principles which have served to divide the
two parties, are as completely antagonis-
tic as 1t is possible for them to be. They
have in the past, caused the different Gle
ments composing the two parties, not only
to array themselves against each other at
the ballot-box, but upon the field of battle
where it was hoped a final settlement of
the questions would be reached. But,
alas! for human perversity, the conquer
ed party show no disposition to abandon
the issues, but seek to gain by fraud and
intrigue, as well as by forensic sophistry,
that which they failed to secure in a con-
test of arms.
What then is it the duty of Republicans
to do? Shall we allow ourselves to be
drawn into a contest involving only a ques-
ton of personal claims. or Of individual
interests, forgetting, in u zeal to secure
the elevation of a certain man to office,
the great principles that called.us together
as a party? Forgetting every thing for
which we once thought it necessary to
abandon home and kindred and friends
and wade through four years of war
enduring bloodshed, fatigue, hunger and
all the priyations incident to a period of
carnage and strife? Forgetting the widows
tears and the orphans cry for bread?-
Forgetting the four millions slaves set free
by our arms, who now look to Us for pro-
lection from a tyranny worse than slavery
itself? Forgetting every thing that wisdom
and prudence teaches us, we should not
forget, and abandoning all for the sake of
one man who has no claims but such as
personal friendship and esteem can give
him. Men will tell you with an assump-
ton of earnest solicitude which the most
accomplished demagogue could scarcely
equal, to ignore conventions, to assert your
manhood and exercise your right as free
men to vote for whom you please. They
will endeavor to mislead you by the most
deceptive appeals and artful misrepresen-
tations into a betrayal Of your principles.
Do not be deceived. Remember that
our only safety is in a concentration OF all
our forces and a mutual effort against the
common enemy. The history of the past
is our only guide for the future. and when
ever we have departed from this course,
we have suffered defeat. The only hope
the Democracy cling to is in keeping up
division in our ranks. Whenever we stand
united, they know their doom is sealed
Let us not make this an exceptional case.
Hon. r. r. Butler is the regular nomi-
inee of the party. He is making a spirited
fight for the Republican cause all over the
district, and the cheering news comes in
every day that the Republicans are unit
ing in every county, determined to teach
the democracy a lesson on the eighth day
of November they will not soon forget.
Let the party be organized in every pre-
ciIct all over the district. Let no pains
be spared to bring out every Republican
on the day of the election. Secure your
tickets beforehand. Go early to the polls
and remain there until they close. See
that every Republican is provided with a
proper ticket, and use all fair means to
induce them to vote for none but straight
out Republicans, . If we do all this we
have before us a certainty of success, If
we do less defeat il Just as certain.