Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-11-22
THE SITUATION.

The political situation will very soon
begin to assume an interesting phase. AL
ready we see the forces being marshalled
for the great conflict of 1872. The Nation
al Republican Executive Committee meets
at Washington in January, when a Ma
tional Convention will be called. This
Convention will probably be held in May.
From present indications it will only rati-
fy the prevailing desire of the party, by
nominating President Grant for re-elec-
ton. This seems to be n foregone conclu
sion. 1t is the unmistakable voice of nine
tenths of the party, that such should be
the case. The party was never stronger
than it is now, as the result of the
recent elections fully prove. 1t
goes into the canvass flushed with
recent victory Not only this, but the
party feels itself strongly entrenched
behind the impregnable ramparts of truth,
Justice and equality. Further, the party
has record of which it may we'll be proud.
None of its acts need any defense, and but
few any explanation. 1t was organized
against the spread of human slavery. 1t
not only prevented the spread of the in
famous institution, but succeeded in abol-
ishng it altogether. A wicked, unpro-
voked and utterly uncalled for rebellion
was the result of this glorious achievement.
Under a Republican administration the
rebellion was suppressed, and its leaders
forever disgraced in the estimation of true
patriots.
In doing this, an enormous public debt
was contracted. A Republican admins
tration, by faithfully collecting the reve-
nue. and honestly applying it to its intend
ded use, has so decreased that burden that
it has become an object of almost univer-
sal favor. Under these circumstances it is
not strange that the American people will
| further extend its lease of power.
On the other hand, we behold the old,
rotten ship of Democracy acomplete wreck,
| its crew tloundering about on the surface
of the great political sea, grasping at the de
bris of the old vessel, and catching at
whatever may be blown within,their reach.
Hundreds of good men among them will
| probably take passage on the good Repub-
| lican ship and be saved, but the leaders are
| divided and will probably consent to
go down to oblivion. They seem to be
divided among themselves. Some OF
| them expect a vessel called the New
Departure to pass that way, upon which
they expect to obtain passage while
others of them talk wildly and vehe-
mently about the old wreck, and try
| to delude the masses into the belief
| that it is still q safe vessel be the sea ever
so stormy. These motley leaders are EN-
| deavoring to marshal their motley hosts,
and if they succeed we may expect mot
ley ticket to be put forth in the coming
convass. 1t is impossible to say in their
present disorganized condition, what course
| will be pursued. But whatever they may
| do, il is certain that they continue to rely
upon the wrecked vessel to a large extent,
and that overwhelming defeat is their por-
tion. 1t has been the abode of too much
hypocrisy, too much corruption, too much
double-dealing to be again trusted, and it
must go down, and will carry with it, all
who are so blind as to cling to its discon-
nected rotten, treacherous skeleton.