Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-12
THIRD PARTY.

Many strange things happen in this life
which cannot be accounted for on any
correct principle of reasoning. In the
political world nothing seems more strange
to US than the attempt to organize third
party in Tennessee.
1t passeth our understanding why it is
| that some of our contemporaries are in
favor of the organization of aparty whose
ultimate aim is the same of the great
national Democratic party-the overthrow
of the Radical party and the restoration
of republican principles-yet whose very
organization tends to defeat every cher
ished hope of its very authors. Are these
third party men mad 2 While bound in
chains they looked with hopeful hearts to
the ultimate success of the Democratic
party of the Northern States. They looked
and lOnged for the time when they could
lock shields with those who were so nobly
struggling for noble principles.
When Mr.. johnson stood as the great
breakwater between them and the fury of
their foes, their praises were long and
loud, and they shouted their common
datjOns of Democracy which so herOi-
cally defended their chieftain and their
interests.
Mr.. johnson returned to his home and
met base ingratitude from those he had
befriended most, although not a jot had
he changed since they cried "Great is
our chieftain at Washington"
Bursting the chains that bound US and
again stepping forth in the capacity of
freemen, as we have a common cause
with our friends who had long been bat
Ting for the success of our cherished
principles, was it not our duty to ally
ourselves with them, and in the most
available manner strike for victory Was
this dOne9 A third party struck hands
with Radicals to defeat their benefactOr,
because he was a Democrat, although
holding no principle that this party does
not defend. What next This party is
now organizing for to wage battle against
the Democracy of Tennessee: And
wherefore? Do they differ on any
principle of public policy? Not at all.
There is perfect accord on every principle.
Why then the necessity of Third Party,
a counterpart of Democracy in everything
save the namel Being for the same
thing and striving for the same end, why
strive in such a manner as to bring weak
ness to our common cause2
But we are told that the Democracy of
to-day is the Democracy of 1860. How
can this be unless the Third Party be
also, for this party and Democracy are
one in every principle of public policy
In the name of reason then what means
this Third Party 1t means demagOguery.
For man to be in full sympathy with
every principle advocated by the present
Democracy, and then charge that this De-
mocracy is the Democracy of 1860, for
which be has no sympathy, is q very low
order of demagoguery.
The Democratic party of to-day is a
living party, based on living principles,
and is fighting living issues, and is the
only party that can contend successfully
against Radicalism, and consequently is
the only hope of Democrats or Third Party |
men.
Let the Third Party men remember |
that every blow they strike the DemOc-
racy of Tennessee detracts from the pO-
tency of that great arm by whose hercu-
lean power we expect the mighty dragon
to be Frustrated which has so long cursed
the people. Let them remember that
Third Party organization will take no
strength from our common foe, but will
weaken and endanger the success of our
common cause. Let them remember that
we cannot conquer through local parties,
and let them cease to war on the only
party through which we can conquer.
Let US forget empty names, and re-
member the party that remembered US
while we were unable to help ourselves,
and stand firm to it while it is striving
for Our good aud the triumph of true re-
publican principles.-NatioRGL Union. :