Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-04-26
THE DEMOCRATIC ADDRESS.

The leaders of the Democratic party at
Washington have issued ar address to the
people of the country, professcdly pro-
claiming the policy Of their party on ma
tional questions, an d reviewing the record
of the Republican party-or more particu-
larry the alleged vulnerable points in tho
recordi of President Grants Sdministra-
ton. The address was in fact issued to
counterfeit the impression naade upon the
public mind by the recent demonstrations
of Democratic temper and spirit, called
forth by their success ina New Hampshire
and the conviction pretty generally shared
by the South that = sweeping success
awaited them in 1STS. The impressions
made by their demonstrations are that the
Democracy, secretly but Enthusiastically,
intend, if restored to power, to revolution
ize the whole legislation of Congress, that
insured TO the Government the fruits of
four years of terrible war. These impress
sions prevail, net from any Unequivocal
party platform-because the Democracy are
too shrewd for that-but from the speeches
of those leaders and newspapers of the par
ty that in fact represent its boUots, and that
consequently must control it, policy if re-
stored to power-a spirit they boldly dis
played whenever it is thought safe. As we
said before, to remove the fears inspired by
such influences, the leaders of the Democ-
racy have issued their address. We regret
our want of space to publish it. But so far
as its influence upon the country is con-
cerned ii will be harmless. 1t fails to full
fill its purpose. 1t cannot allay the appre-
tensions of revolution to follow Democrat
ic success, for it says nothing satisfac-
tory upon the late Constitutional amend
ments, or upon the reconstruction acts
of Congress. 1t says nothing binding
upon negro suffrage, but leaves the
party open to advocate revolution and
Reorganization in the Sonth, where
only such IA policy is acceptable, or
peace and acquiesenc ia the North, where
men of property and extended business
operations want tranquility and prosperi-
ty. Upon the only points, therefore, as to
which the country wanted assurance, the
addresses is non-committal, and so far from
allaying apprehensiOns, will only encour-
age them.
But the address is weak in other respects.
II seeks to arraign the present administra-
ton for its corruption and extravaganza,
but in doing so, its charges are extrava-
CANT, loose and thoroughly unreliable.
1t offers battle upon the issues of integrity
and economy, issues where the admin
istration is strongest, as we shall soon
take occasion, in other articles, to show. 1t
compares expenditures of the Government
now with expenditures before the war,
but never once alludes to the fact that it
was the treason and crimes of it's
own trusted and chosen sons and
leaders that made the increased expendi-
lures necessary. 1t charges upon Congress
the enactment of unconstitutional statutes
and upon the President their approval and
enforcement, while its own party, through
notorious and stupendous frauds, placed
secure in the control of New York, the
empire State of the Union, stands I'M
abashed before the intelligence of the
country, not only as defiantly and reck-
lessly disregarding the constitution of the
state, both in the making and execution
of laws, but also in unblushingly and cor
ruptly misapplying its tens of millions of
revenues towards maintaining and secur-
ing the domination of political ring, the
most inscriptions, ambitious and danger
Gus TO the liberties and virtues of the
country ever known, in any
State or period of our history.
Such is the character of the address which
it was felt necessary to issue now, to stem
the tide of reaction Enthusiastically setting
in now i'll favor of Gen. Grant and his
honest and faithful administration. As
against the fruits" of our tree, we have
on the part of the opposition not even a
renewal of promises thrice broken, but
merely equivocal declarations and loose.
unreliable charges.
As apolitical paperitis weak because not
based on facts, or not meeting the very
points it was intended to settle. We can
well afford to let it go to the people who
are not so blind or mguarded as to be mis-
led by its charges or professions
y COMMITTEE of thirteen, second ON
which is the Hon. Horace Maynard, has