Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-07
SSWHAT ABOUT A REPUBLICAN
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR

1t has been urged by some that there
would be no organization on the part of
the Radical party in the fall campaign,
and no effort by them to elect any officers
except in some of the closely contested
counties and districts in East Tennessee.
We have insisted that the only sound and
sensible policy to be pursued by the
Democratic and Conservative element,
was TO rely for complete success upon the
efficiency of their own organization, rather
than the weakness and DISCRIMINATION of
the adversary. But the Radicals are not
inactive. They are aroused. They in
tend to have organization. They intend
to have candidates, and they intend to
struggle to hold the power which they
have, and to regain that which they have
lost.
Under the caption which we have
placed at the head of this article, we find
in the Memphis Republican, the Radical
organ in West Tenne ssee, which has re-
Gently been established, lengthy editor
ial, from which we make the following
extracts, showing the views of the party
in that division of the State: ....
What about the Republican candidate
for Governor, is the great question asked
by many Republicans. We have our own
ideas about this matter, and propose in a
few words to give them to our readers
and Republican friends throughout the
State. From the report of the proceed
ings of the State Executive Committee,
published in our last issue, it will be seen
that the committee has provided for call
ing a Convention to nominate candi-
date. Our information from different
portions of the State is encouraging, and
it is evident that Republicans are almost
unanimous in favor of the movement.
We are of the opinion that Republican
Convention will be held, and that a NOM
nation will be made. AS to the policy of
it, we think it is now time that the Re-
publican party of Tennessee should begin
the work of reorganization. Situated as
we are, we command no influence either
at home or abroad, and can expect
neither till we show some signs of life.
Republicans, even in Tennessee, have
OutliVed the shock, of the Senter-Stokes
split, and we hope soon to see our party
recognized and placed once more on the
high road to victory. We say, then, that
the true policy of our party is to make
nomination, give us a good and true Re-
publican as a candidate, and the dry
bones and white sheets of Ku-Kluxism
and Democracy will tremble at our
power. Our enemies believe themselves
perfectly safe, and believing that they
have large majority in the State, will
soon become demOralized. They have
already commenced to divide. Old Line
Wings do not yet find themselves at home
in such a camp; they see around
them still the old signs of dis
union, and over them the old flag
of secession, now called State rights.
Though they say there is nothing in a
name, still there is something in the kind
of associates one has, and we seldom Sc
lect for our companions those with whom
we have always been at war. So it is
with Old Line Wings and Democrats.
Sooner or later the former element will
find itself in the Republican ranks.
Already the division shows itself: for
wherever you find an Old Line Wing a
candidate, you will always find Demo
crat against him, and the time is certainly
not far distant when the elements will
effectually separate.
By nominating an able and worthy man
for Governor, we at once put ourselves in
position to take advantage of the mis-
takes of our enemies. We say nominate
a candidate by all means.
It will thus be seen that the Radicals
propose thorough organization of their
party, to retain their forces intact and to
take advantages of the mistakes of their
opponents. Will such mistakes be per-
mitted to occur? Rather let US determine
the ends we aim at, lay down the princi-
pies for which we contend, work with
will for success, and Radicalism will not
be known in the next National campaign.