Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-28
ssNOT TOE FASr.-

In our eager anxiety to secure the defeat
Of Grant in the next election let not the
Democracy, in the slang parlance of the,
day, overlook its hand. Under the caption
to this article, we find in the New York
World an excellent article on the proposed
combination with the anti-Grant Republic
cans, from which we make the following
extracts, to the careful perusal of which we
invite the Democracy of Tennessee:
While we deem it wise and patriotic to
invite the cooperation of the Republican
enemies of Gen. Grant, and to make it easy
for them to act with us, they must under
stand that it is we, and not they, whose
hands are on the helm of the Democratic
ship. We are willing to take them in as
partners, but their control can only be in
proportion to the active capital they bring
into the concern. They know who we are,
but we do not know who they are. In the
last Presidential election, under very ad-
verse circumstances, we cast 2, 643, 6l2 votes
for Seymour against 2,97s, 541 for Grant
when his military laurels We're still fresh; and
surely Gen. Grants conduct in the Presi-
dency has not won over any Democratic
votes to his side: The Democratic party is
at least as strong in numbers as it was in
1868. Gen. Grants Republican enemies
have good data for judging how much we
could contribute to a combined movement.
But we have, as yet, no Trustworthy data
for estimating either their strength or the
boldness, courage, and determination of
their leaders. Until they are in position
to give us information on these points, we
shall 90 too far if we do more than signify
willingness 10 cooperate on honorable
terms. The completion Of the proposed be
trothal must depend upon what resources
they can show in arranging the marriage
settlement.
Now it seems 10 us that some of our ex-
cellent Democratic journals are acting the
part of the enamOred young lady, whose
noble and confding generosity makes her
unduly eager forthe nuptial festivities. -
For tie present we must maintain the
organization and discipline Of the indivis-
ible Democratic party; but not in any surly
or repellant spirit. We invite and expect
cooperation; but it remains to be seen
whether the dissatisfied Republicans will
oppose Gen. Grant as an organized phalanX
or come over to us as individuals in the
course of the canvass. Until this great
point is settled, the Democratic party can
only profess its willingness, but make no
committals. The Republican reformers
will make a mistake if they understand the
ELUSIVE declarations Of the Democratic
press in any other sense.
we deem il pertinent to say, in all Seri-
BUSINESS, that we look upon the new move
ment with mingled hopes and fears 4
short time ago, we thought it would be diff
iicult to start it; our present apprehension
is, that Democrat may move faster in this
direction than prudence will warrant.
There is no doubt a Widespread disSatisfac-
ton with Grant in the Republican party;
not strong enough to prevent his nomina-
ton, but quite sufficient in conjunction
with the Democratic party, to
defeat his election. But We must
not jump TO the conclusion that these
elements of opposition can be easily COM
bined. 1t all depends upon whether Their
calciuant Republicans find intrepid leaders
in their own party. On this point We have
as yet 10 grounds of confidence. If one
eminent Republican attacks Grant, he will
simply be read out Of the party. What is
needed is a combination of such leaders Of
sufficient standing and influence to render
the movement formidable, and to infuse
courage, confidence and hope into the mass
OF the dissatisfied Republicans. If during
the ensuing winter, there shall be developed
a strong leadership of the right kind, there
can be no reasonable doubt of the result:
and in that case, the Democratic party will
not be found impracticable. But we must
not count these chickens before they arc
Matched. 1t would be an GORGEOUS blupder
fOF.the Democratic party to consent IN tba
so-callCd spa sive policy" until the Re-
publican opposition to Grant has taken
form and body. \ provisional passiyitv
may be well enough but II must be m
dersto6d that it is merely provisional and
eXpectant. There is no necessity for calling
the Democratic National Convention earlier
than July or August; and if, meanwhile,
there Should be no organized Republican
bolt against Grant, the Democratic party
must have its forces i'm readiness for Wig
orous independent campaign, planned to
draw off in detail the liberal Republicans
whom defective leadership may prevent
from seeding in body. The new move
mept is so well started that it requires no
further pushing; and we must take care that
it does not disintegrate the Democratic
party.