Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-09-29
The Campaign.

There never was greater need for intel
ligent, manly discussion than in the cam
paign on which we have entered. Wo are
upon the threshold of new political era.
with new issues staring us in the face. up
on which men will take sides according
to the light in which they are made to ap-
pear. Of course old prejudices and old
convictions still control vast multitude
of voters, but every year party discipline
is losing its authority, and men are learn
ing to act more upon their own individual
Judgment. In some fami lies and in some
communities voting the Democratic ticket
is habit of life, founded upon some an
cient tradition which has projected itself
into this age of progress, and continued
to live in spite of a thousand deinonstra-
tions of its utter absurdity. But even ira
dition is losing its hold upon the popular
heart, and the spirit of inquiry which is
abroad in the land is no respector of any
particular habit, or custom, or dogma,
merely because it is ancient and was be-
lieved in by large number of people IN
the past ages. These are times for free
thought, free investigation and free action.
Men are eager for instruction, and are not
unwilling to profit by it, although it does
conflict with long established habits and
convictions.
This being the state of the public mind
the best informed and ablcst of the Re
publican statesmen should not hesitate to
enter into the canvass. There never was
more pressing demand for their services,
and never so favorable an opportunity for
making an impression. A large element
has been introduced into the body polite,
uneducated and inexperienced IN all that
pertains to the science of government
The opinions of our newly enfranchlsed
citizens will be in a great measure mould
ed by what they hear from the rostruin
and the stump. They are seeking for in-
formation, and turn out in large numbers
at all our meeting. 1t becomes thcu of
the utmost importance that they should ba
addressed by men of culture and intelli-
gence, and that the first lessons they re-
ceive in political economy should come
from teachers ''who know whereof they
speak" There is not SO much a necessity
for appeals to their patriotism, and to the
immeasurable debt of gratitude they owe
to the Republican party, as there is for
sound instruction in the duties of citizen
ship, the necessity of public and private
virtue, the distinctive doctrines of the par
ty platform, and the leading features Of
the Republican Administration, To such
of our friends af insist on fighting the bat
ties of the present campaign by stirring
up the memories of the past, and claiming
support on account of merits and virtues
that developed themselves nine years ago.
we can only commend this extract from
Senator Schurz's address to the people of
Missouri:
A party cannot live on the glory of its
past achievements alone. 1t cannot quar-
ter itself like an idle and hungry pension
err upon the public crib on the ground that
it has once well deserved of the Republic.
1t must come up to the living exigencics
and obligations of the present and the fu-
ture, or it will 60 under.-Bauimore
dmcricnn