Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-06-09
GUBERNAToRIAL CONTEST.
Letter from gen. VIVA. A. Qu0rles-
Fight TO be Made between tho De-
mOcratic and Radical Parties.

Letter from Gen. VIVA. A. QuOrleS-
Fight TO be Made between tho De-
mOcratic and Radical Parties
From the Memphis appeal
MEMPHIs, June 6, 1S70.-EclitOrS Al1-
peal In your issue of the 4th inst,
you refer TO me as one "whose name is
often spoken os in connection with the
Gubernatorial contest" and express de-
sire that ], together with the honored
gentleman whose name you associate with
mine, should make known our views in
regard to conventions, to Democracy, -"
etc
IL had been my purpose to say nothing
through the public journals, but silently
to await the action of the people, and to
govern my own conduct and future rela-
lions with the next State canvass by the
indications derived therefrom. The great
objective point being harmony of action,
rather than the advancement of personal
ends, or personal preferences, the question
as TO who shall be the candidate is one of
secondary importance. Is he true and
faithful man, Is his record one of stain
less honor and unimpeechable integrity
IL these questions can be afiirmatively an
swered so far as 1t regards the mere per-
sonnet of the candidacy the qualification
is sufficient If, however, mere personal
preference is made the test, harmony of
action can never be obtained, and defeat
is inevitable. But beyond and above
this, there is safe ground upon which all
of us can stand and defy at once all fac
tious elements and the disciplined and I'M
broken front of our opponents; and that
is the ground of principle-not mere
shadowy theories of Government, but
well mStured, well defined principles,
eliminated from the experience of the
past, and wisely adjusted tn the exigencies
of the present.
Heretofore, mean from 1865, the peo-
pie and the publicmen of Tennessee have,
from the very necessity of the case, been
compelled to be governed by policy; to
advance step by step in the direction of
right rule and right legislation, until we
have arrived at point when policy must
sink and principle assume its ancient
sway and authority in the land.
A difference of opinion between men,
bers of the same party may well be tole-
rated as TO mere policy, but q difference
OF opinion as to principle will as inevita-
bly, result in decentralization, disorganiza-
ton and defeat as that such q difference
exists. A proposition so palpable as this
needs but moments reflection to obtain
the assent of every mind. A party is g
union of men, holding the same clement
airy principles of government, and organ
lied for the purpose of carrying these
principles into the legislation of the coun-
try. A difference of principles would,
therefore, not only result in want OF party
harmony, but still more fatally in want of
harmony of legislation.
From this view of the matter, readily
roach the conclusion that it is now time
that we should organize our party upon
principle, and, in making this organiza-
ton, any difference of opinion as TO mere
policy which may have obtained in the
period of our exodus, should not interfere
in the least, or be made test
But what shall this organization be 2
Shall it be a mere State organization? or
one placing us in line with an organIza-
ton already existing, battling for princi-
pies similar to those we entertain, and CO.
extensive with the Union 1t seems to
me that the question answers itself. We
know that the only relief to be had
from national grievances is through
national legislatiOn-Our State authori-
ty is helpless, emasCulated. Then every
individual we add to the national organi-
cation is that much support given to
the mighty arm of justice and truth,
already appraised to strike off our chains
and unbind our bonds. In every State
North, in almost every State
South this organization eXists-exists, not
in waning and dropping condition, but
in all the freshness and yigor of perennial
youth. In the two last elections North
in New York and Connecticut-with de.
FAINT shouts and invincihle determination,
this organization has placed its victorious
banners upon the very battlcments of the
foe; and Ohio, the young giant of the
West, has echoed the ''war cry" and is
even now marching on to the front
Shall we, for whom this be tile is mainly
fought, for whom these noble armies are
to-day in the field, be recreant 2-recreant,
EAen the fay grows warm and the hour
grows red with the fury of the fight
Then let US place ourselves in line with
the great National Democratic party, and
push on the fight till the victory be won,
IestOred. What other national or even
State organization now exists None save
the Republican. Need l say that if the
old Wing organization had survived the
war and that of the party to which we
have ever belonged, been lost or absorbed,
how proudly and gladly we would have
alaced ourselves in its line and fought
under its flagi Would we be ashamed IF
the leadership of the great men who illus
trated its purity and its patriotism, and
whose naIaes are the bright jewels of Il 6
treasure house of our national famel
Would their great leader Clay and their
great eXpOunder, Webster, have stood
idly by at such a crisisl Rather would
the one have sounded the rally with the
clarion notes Of his elOqucnce aud gathered
the clans from the mountains and
FalIeya af tho South, 10 the rescue
of the other Who efe this would
have taken up the sword and put on all
the mighty armor (Which Achilles alone
could bear in defense of q constitution
he Illuminated with the brightness of his
intellect and defended with the matches
strength of his logic. The Democrat who
would refuse his support to any one
merely because ne formerly belonged TO
the Wing parry, would be recreant to the
high and solemn duties of the hour, and in
all my association with the people have
found 10 such man, nor do believe that
many such exist in either of the old par
ties. The old issues that divided these
grand old belligerents sleep in the grave
of the past, and he who for personal pro-
motion YOU'D disturb their quiet rcposc,
is unworthy the name OF patriot, and de-
eerves, as he will receive, the cOndemna-
ton of the people. Tide principles which
mark the Democratic as distinctive
party, and upon which its present orgaI.i-
zation is based, receive the sanction and
support of almost every Southern man,
and of so large minority of the Northern
masses that it will require but a small
per centum Of gains to give national
triumph TO the party. What We most
need in the South is TO he rcindUctrinated.
In the turmoil and smoke of great
revolution, in the almost life struggle
I !