The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1871-06-29
The SOath and the Next National
Convention,

The Nashville Banner says, suSgcs-
tions have been made in various quar-
terra, and i'll solno instances by gentle
iuen Of distinguished ability, and emil
nent for their services 10 tho country
representative incn of the South--that
our much abused and oppressed section
should send no delegates to the Nation
al Democratic Convention of 1872. 1t
is deemed sound policy by them that
the Southern opponents Of Radicalism
should stand aloof, and With folded arms,
d"cline to participate with the great and
growing party OF tho North in the choice
OF men to represent them in the Prcsi-
DENTAL campaign, which is probably to
decide whether our free institutions are
to be entirely ovorthrown. The reasons
Tor this suicidal suggestion do not strike
us with much force. II is true that tho
conduct Of Southern delegates i'll the
DemoGratic Convention in 1868 was &C.
v"rely criticised, their motives impugncd,
m | advantage taken of honest and we'll
meant %utterances, to keep up the prcju-
dices Of the North against a people tried
by suffering and praying for peace and
quiet. And that, up to this good day,
the war upon our unhappy section has
not ceased. But these are no reasons
why Southern men should not exercise
al the rights Of frcemen remaining to
them, and exert their influence in the
selection Of men and the enunciation of
measures. whose success in the great
q~uadrennial contest will insure tho M
ton rcpose, an honest and economical
administration Of its affairs, and open to
the people the vista Of future prosperity
and happiness, The war upon us should
rather incitc us to continued vigilence
and effortto MD those in the North who
arc assuredly u friends, and with our
assistance may accomplish the defeat of
those who Cypress us. 1t is unjust to
them, as we'll as to ourselves, to assume
that our absence from the National Con-
v%ention would relieve them from embar-
easements, From what embarrassments
indeed, could We relieve them by dcclin-
ing TO meet and confer upon matters of
rational concern, in which all are alike
Interested? 1t seems to us that the WI
emit seats of the South would give them
real cause for embarrassment, If our
ever watchful enemy effectively misrep-
resented and perverted our conduct in
1863, when the whole South was present
III the National Council, would not those
vacant seats be pointed to as proof that
the great Democratic party of the nation
lad desencrated into a mere sectional
~party--that the South, still sullsn and.
morose, was bent on rule or ruin2 The
South must do her whole duty. She is
q part and parcel Of the Union, such as
il is, and cannot in a crisis so vast and
momontous. afford TO decline participa-
ton in a work out OF which may grow
all tho reforms which she desires.
The Radicals do not intend to recedo
from an inch of ground they occupy.
They aim decentralization, and will not
give those poor souls who deluded them
selves with the idea that they would
await the action Of both party conven-
tions, and" choose between, a single
crumb Of comfort No, nothing can DO
hoped for from that quarter. There is
10 hope for tho South Tut in the house
Of her friends.
The true policy OF the South is not
absence from the, Democratic Council,
but full representation composed of her
ablests Wise4t, and most patriotic mer-
men whoeuuderstand and appreciate the
delicacyaofshe her position, and will go
there prepared tostakei such advanced
positions as the neceasities of tho polit-
ical situation requires; smonl who will
not seek to make themselves conspicuous
but useful. Let but this be done and
VIC shall IN the Presidential campaign
of 1872 have men and principles which
will rally tortheir support thcsntire OPP!
position to Radicalism, and awake en-
thusiasm IN the bosom Of all who bate
wrong and condemn ipilstice-surep pre-
CUraers Of victory. Aud nc hnye full
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