Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-09-21
OUR NASHVILLE LETTER.
The Democratic COnvention-Wh Composed
il and What was Done-Their Platform
and Spirit.

Governor of this Volunteer State, has been seen.
1t mas done dr TorH nFG , ITS gnssd AZ" t5ai tbev
have done work that will forever enttle them to
the gratitude of their fellow-citizcns. Hoir they
did their work, and what trouble they.had 70
keep out the apples of discorI that were CON
tinually trying to creep in. will be the business
of your correspondent
The Convention was numerous 70 was respect
able it was earnest it wa, defiant, it wa, eager
it was wolfsh.
In the streets. at the hotels, the night before
there was much discussion, all about platform,
as for a man it was generally conGeeded mat
Brown was the coming person. mat excited
but little talk but when the platform business
was up, then the talk was eager ana meant Dus-
mess.
II has been well known that a large number
of the so-called Democratic party in Tennessee
are striving to incorporate into the politics OF
the State some public and positive recognition
of the doctrine of secession they worked hard
for four years TO set up but which me an lgno-
minous death at courthouse in Nirg MIA. y ot
content to accept the dictum of General Lee, the
acknowledged representative man of the secc
sion element that the thing is dead for all time,
they are determined that it shall be incorpor-
ated in the modern Democratic creed, because,
forsooth, if they say nothing about it they will
virtually admit that they were wrong in the
war, wrong all through the four years of blood
and and misery they forced upon the nation.
The leaders determined that tho thing should
not be done. The two Nashville papers on this
A. NJ, appeared with heavy editorials counsel
ing all sorts of unanimity and specially asking
delegates to drop dead issuee,n or in other
words, to let the Convention pass without say
ing anything about secession or States rights.
They argued the question cloquently and with
much force they referred to the terrible effect
it would have on the party North-hinted that,
however, much they might have things all their
own way in this State, it did not amount TO much
while the hated Radicals held the general Gov
eminent. Hear the Union and american:
Here in Tennessee we can succeed upon any
platform. But our friends north of the Ohio ask
what 1t Will benefit US to gain every civil dis
trict in Tennessee and lose all the North Our
deliverance from the oppression of Radicalism
must come from the triumph of the Northern
Democracy. They ask US to make platform
which will be complete and emphatic letuta
ton of the charges of secession and rebellion
against us by Radical stump-speakers The
platform proposed by us does not proceed from
any desire on our part to resurrect secession or
to consider 1t other than dead issue. We
would willingly let it Sleep but if the Demo-
crazy of the North can be assisted by our disa-
yowal Of that doctrine, then as our safety de-
ponds on their success, let us disavow 1t. This
does not disavow the right Of resistance TO OPP
preston or reject the right to oppose tyranny.
II simply disavows that secession !. a peacoable
remedy permitted to each State for alleged
grievances from the general Government
That is square talk. and j. righ' To the point
We ask careful reading of the sbove choice
bit 1t matters not about principle or right,
everything must be sacrificed for the D-a-h-t-V
And what does it all mean? Simply that lot
of men who failed in war they forced upon
the nation; finding that sabres and bayonets are
not their best arguments for convincing peo-
pie of the truth Of their dogmas. intend to re-
verse the spelling book story, and try what vir-
tue there Is resolutions and Conventions they
intend TO say to the country that the present
government of our nation is fraud and cheat
and that only those doctrines are good and right
that were fought for by the rebel armies, The
prospect is brilliant for Republicans. Let the
fre-eating notables who sing pRns to the stars
and bars go on. Let them put in their plat
forms all they can to endorse them as secession
lists. Let them do their best to keep on top of
rebel politics in Tennessee. it will only bring
gain TO the Republicans. Hear the Banner on
the subject of platforms
THE question of secession IS no. in order-it
is not live issue-indeed, not All issue at all
Constitutional amendments however Odioll. and
oppressive, are emphatically dead issues, so far
as this campaign Is concerned. Universal suf-
frage is dead issue. All these In the language
of the late Congressional address, are dead
wants" and there Is no time now to be lost in
the discussion thereof The people demand
some more hopeful and cheerful platform than
of late"
1t will be seen that the onlytrouble anticipated
was not as to choice Of man. but as 10 the plat
form, the enunciation of the principles % of
the modern Democratic party in Tennessee
Having all this by way Of preface, let us now
go TO tAe capital and witness tho happy meeting
OF the loving brothers who compose the domi-
nant party in this State
At an early hour the halls and corridors were
crowded with delegates, who met each other
with smiling faces and dripping umbrellas. for
it may be remarked that a heavy rain was fall
ing.
Precisely at ten, Mr.. Stubblefcld. Chairman
of the State Central Committee, called the Con-
vention TO order, when Gen. Gordon of Hick-
man, was appointed temporary Chairman.
committee on permanent organization was
appointed who went to their work at once.
While they were out the clerks called the coun-
ties, whose lists Of delegates were handed in.
They showed numerOusly as to numbers. After
the delegates were fixed to suit, the committee
on organization reported. This placed General
Quarles in the chair, with corps or staff of
Vice Presidents and Secretaries to assist in the
arduous duties about 70 come upon him. On
being escorted TO the chair. the General made a
neat speech. which possessed the best requisite
-brevity. Whereupon the regular business OF
the Convention was entered upon
The first hard pull was on "a Committee on
Resolutions. This included the dreaded plat
form. After some little pulling of wires the
chair named a committee, who al once retired TO
room, where they set themselves at work to
reconcile the discordant elements
A resolution for the Chair 10 appoint A State
Central COpmittee 10 run the Democratic horse
in the coming races, brought out some debate.
but was finally suffered 10 pass as FIRST proposed
The Chair asked for time, and requested dele
gates to suggest suitable names from the differ
ent Congressional districts.
After this much Of business motions to adj
journ for dinner We're made, and instantly voted
down. After short time spent in doing moth
ing, delegate mounted table, and said with "a