Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-21
POLITICAL REFORM IN TIE SOUTH.
Attitude Of tbs tennessee Demoe-
racy.
Letter from Q Leading Democratic EditOr--
Declaration Of Principles.


The Sou,h have suffered most from rsdi-
cal tyranny, and consequently are the best
able TO Judge Of the necessity Of political
reform that shall lii. the yoke from their
shoulders, and loosen the chains that radi-
calism has fastened upon them. Some idea
Of the feeling prevalent 10 the Soath NAV
DO Ascsrtsined from the following extract,
taken from private letter written by the
editor Of leading paper 10 Tennessee, to a
prominet democrat Of this section, Who has
took q bold stand favorisg the orgsniza-
zion Of q reform National party. The
italics are ours:
No proposition has net with such favor
among the non-offce holding masses for
years, as the policies Indicated (orgauizAtion
Of . national reform psrty) in your letter.
Only few fossilised leaders Of aoms
Silurian democratic period oppose the pas
sive policy. | think 1t very i'm portAnt that
such geuIlemen q. yourself should urge this
policy upon Democratic Congressmeu. The
South Is prepared to accept any programme
OF Northern leaders even to the abandon
ment Of the Democratic name and orgaui-
cation for that Of q new party. There are
thousands Of old Bell a Everett wings in
this state, and old lice Douglas Democrats
ioho ioiit rote for Grant merit year rather
than for Democratic nominee, open or
disguised. IL the Democrats of the North
do not speedily make . formal announce
ment OF the dissolution of the orga niz Stiou &.
GRANTS vote ia this state will be swelled
enormously. The South is getting very
tired OF this business, aud would like TO see
both existing organizations broken up, aud
repudiated at the bAllot.boI.
This is a. one man writes to another
with no other purpose than the best inter
est Of the country at heart Coming as il
does from recognized leader Of the South
ern democracy, in state where reform bas
been tried in state election and proven al
that was expected OF ii-And further, com
ing from those whom we expect to posses,
ell that men can contain Of party pride, i
10 certainly worthy of the most serious con
sideratiou at the hands Of Northern demo
crs,s. At this time in the affairs Of on,
country we cannot afford 10 make any mis-
takes. Yesterday we published the address
Of the liberals IN Missouri, and stated to th,
best Of our Information the position Of tn,
democracy Of tia, state, and in this connec
ton we herewith publish a declaration o
principles as embodied in an address to tn,
people OF Tennessee, which shows that th,
people Of that state are Ut work for thet
owp deliverance. Shall the democracy o
Che North and West bel p them? Here j,
the extract;
Sincerely believing that the time hs
GONE when the liberal, public spirited an,
progressive men Of the South, as well rs o
the whole country, irrespective of former
party divisions, should unite for the promo
ton Of great common interests; aud be!iey-
ing further, that The extreme partisan spin
fosIered by tho political parties at pressn
existing, is calculated TO impede the return
Of that frAternal feeling which is necessar,
TO our national peace and prosperity, ",
hereby resolve IhAt We form ourselves int,
q Reunion and Reform Association, auC
mutuAlly pledge ourselves TO co-operal,
together IN fartherAnce Of the following
objects;
l. The protection Of the rights Of every
cItiEcn, In Aecort Ance with the Constitution a.
iJ H.
=. The dbcoun,suaneo Of useless agitation
Of past issues.
5 The restoration Of fraternAl feelings and
relations with the people Of Ihe North.
I. The dissemination Of constitutional priu.
eipleu. and the Incubation Of an earnest, 40,
ding faith in tns genius Of free ins,i utionI and
their eventual sueCoIs In al quarters OF TIE
globe.
5. The maintenance Oflaw and order.
d. The promotion and encouragement Of
immigration.
7. The establishment OF an efficient system
Of general education.
s. The exposition of and strict adherence TO-
the principles of local self government and the
promotion among the people of those feelings
and convictions which rill cause them, through
the operation OF local self government TO Va 40.
ltsh a state Of thinEs whicI will no longer fur
ish a reason orr prete1t tor tho interference OF
the central government In local EiIairs.
=. General Amnesty.
10. Opposition 10 Reputation in every
IL. The modification OF the present tariff
system 10 revenue basis.
IL. Redsction of taxation by the Genera
Government.
~. OWL Service Reform; and finally,
We pledge ourselves, from this time i1rward
TO give our support to men ofuprightnesa meri
and llberAlity. regardless Of political antece
dents, belisving.that the time has some for al
men OF progress TO turn their back upon tn
pAst, and TO grR'p mAnfully the duties Hn'
possibilities Of the future.
Here follow numerous signatures.
The following named officers constitute
the temporary organization of the AssociA
ton:
President-Frank 7 Reid.
Vice northumberland G.. 7. Thruston
General Joel A. Battle, Charles Nelson
Colonel A. s. ColYar.
SecrstRrv-J. Il. Jeup.
Corresponding Se'retaries-Governor d
S. Foote, John Rhuta, j. 3. Brown.
Treasure--Colonel J. W. ParAmore.
Committee Of Finance James Lindsey
Alex Hoge, George f. Purvis.