Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-18
THE COMING STATE CONVEX

Is there any use for political organlza-
tons in TENNESSEE Parties mean some
thing or nothing. If they are for the
purpose of inaugurating and sustaining |
great questions of principle and policy,
they are valuable and challenge the con-
sideration Of the people, 4 If they are
simply to subserve the interests of indi-
vidu als and advance the ends of rings
and cliques they are ,trifing, if not posi-
tiyely hurtful. bqrrrab
lh9A convention has been called with a
view to the ensuing canvass for Gov.
ernor., A convention of whom2 A con
syention for, what ? These are questions
seriously to- be considered and answered,
If the convention is simply to ascertain
which of certain named individuals can,
by the greatest management and energy
bring together the largest number Of per-
sonal friends, and to devise simply the
means that will secure their election,
then it is unworthy the attention OF the
great mass who have no interest in these
personal ends. If the Convention is to
declare principles and agree upon what
is the best interests of the State and ma
| ton, in which all classes, sects and con-
ditions are deeply concerned, then its i'm
portance cannot be magnifed.
To- We find there are two views taken of
| this subject, though not frankly avowed.
One looks to the convention as means
| simply of advancing individual fortunes
| and of placing some favorite in the guber-
/ material chair. The other; looks to the
convention as means of preserving har-
| mony among all those who concur in GER
4 tain great questions of principle and
| policy, on the success, of which it is be,
ieved depend the future peace aid pros,
perity of the whole country, and espeei'
all y the people of the Southern States.
We belong to the latter. We repudiatt
the former. f We know that those whe
| first advocated and urged a convention
and the great body of those who will looi
i anxiously to its deliberations, concur witt
us. 1t is not to be disguised, however
that the latter view will? fail in tina
convention as a matter Of course no
Twill it fail unless the people-the unset
fish, unaspiring people-in the variou
counties of the State, bestir themselve
and by personal attention to the matte
! see that such delegates are sent here 8
will truly reflect the popular will-dele
o gates who will understand themselves 9
| coming not for the ignobie purpose O
!, advancing the fortunes of this or this
: man, but to advance the higher interest
E of the State and country, by the ope
avowal of principles, with honored me
Z | simply as instruments for their practic'
enforcement and application. gs
i If we have no well defined principle
e to advocate-no important policy lool
Il ing to the good of the country, to pr
e cribe and enforce-in contradistinction
IT some other obnoxious and dangerol
l. policy-then the Convention is pla,
d thing and only valuable to those who a
it to reap its rewards. ait a9rg s-si Has f..
o If our view of the question is correc
o the mere nomination of a man is of
, secondary importance, and the first bus
l. ness of the Convention will be to defl
the character and purposes of the par
it that it represents, the principles on whi'
lie | it stands, and the policy it seeks to ina
lie | purate. When it has done that, mo
s | than half the work will have been a
/. complished. There may be much or L
II lie division as to favorites for the non
,e nation; but the name of any one of
re | hundred men in the State, would salts
E. the people and give success in Tenness
,e | to the glorious work of State and nation
he regeneration.
IN The overthrow of the present party
it power and the successful Inauguration
lie the only organized opposition thereto, t
t. national Democracy, is the work OF t
lie hour. We appeal to the calm reason a
Iy the wei attested patriotism of the peoT
D. of Tennessee to consider this. ..