Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-10-14
DEMOCRACY.
The Party Must Be Held Together Intact
If We would be Victorious.
Letter from the Honorable Thomas !
Judge Of Montgomery Alabama
Read Il.

Mr.. Psge, the editor of the Evergreen
Observer, having addressed a letter to this
able iurist and ever faithful Southern
! patriot, requesting his opinion as Il the
expediency Of the Southern States being
represented IN the Democratic national
convention Of 1872, received the following
answer, In which the whole subject is dis
posed OF, in the light Of common sense,
and q thorough appreciation Of the neces-
sites OF the case:
MONTGOMERY, Ala, Sept. q, 1871.
p. D.. PAGE, EsQ.-Dear Sir. In reply to
your favor OF the 18th instant, 1 have TO say,
that with proper respect for the opintuns of
those who may differ rom me, l believe It
would be a serious mistake in the Democratic
partv OF the several Southern States not to
provide for regular representation in the next
national Democratic nominating conventions;
and the following are, briefly, some Of the
ueasOnsfo for this. my opinion:
Z. We are cooperating with the national
Democratic party, because we beieve that
upon the success OF that party in 1872, depends
our deliyerance from the rule OF tyranny mo
oppression; and so long as we claim to be a
part OF that national organization, and sre re-
cognfzed as such, IL is our duty not TO ignore
IL but with prudence and discretion, 10 act
with il, in its general councils d 70 pursue
such a course In action as q wise policy may
dictate. 70 insure success
2. Our refusal to recognize and 70 co. operate
with that party IN so important a work az that
OF selecting and presenting TO the people Of all
the states, candidates Tor the Two nrst Cffices
In Inc nation. might be detrimental 10 It's sue
cess in the coming great and vital contest,
would be cited by our enemies as additional
evidence Of our d~isloyalty, and as convincing
proof that We were a peryerse and exclusively
sectional p~eople-SO much so, II would be said,
that we declined 70 meetin council our friends
OF the North and West,Who sympathized with
us. were Of the same political faith, and were
striving TO achieve with US, a common OBJ
h And such a refusal on our part wouId, as I
conceive, be a decided step toward the dislnte-
grafton, aud consequent destruction OF the ma
lonRi Democratic party-the only national
marty in the success Of which We can have any
hone OF relief for Il WOuld rob that party Of
its1ust claim 10 nationality, and dwarf US into
sectlopalism-WOuld afford 10 the maiconbmts,
and lukewafm OF the south some OF the litter
being Inclined 70 remain in a state Of apathetic
disgust. a ready preteXt Tor . refusal 10 sup-
port the nominees OF a convention IN which
str1ctye oftbe ehcieRcy OF cur Slate organi-
zatlOn as a party, and result in 0 nedeliyeIy OF
the state into the bondage Of Radlealism.
But IL is said that the bare fact Of our pres
ence in ne oopvention might be p~rejudicial 10
the success OF orr party. we ALLEN so
thai our very touch Is oOntamtnaliOns The
Democracy Of the North and Wese do not. Say
so and i do not believe Il. They invite as to
be present. and TO participate with them in
the action Of the convention. But II our posi-.
ffon Is really 50 huDiliatiDg as that The pres
euce of honest and patriotic southern men in
a national Democratic party convention, Wiil
bring dlgcredit upon the party, Then 10 is tine
for US 10 cease to affiliate with II. Il is true
hat We have been grossly s.andsfeo and ma
do or say would be likely 70 please them,
but so long as we are deemed worthy 10 as
sociate with, and claim 20 be a part Of the pa
tional Democratic party. let us claim and ex-
ercise equatty OF rights and privileges within
its ranks. and not voluntarily assume a posi-
ton which would be inconsistent with onr
lust claim 70 bccouEidered the peers OF any
people. Respectfully yoqn-
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