Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-12-23
For the Wing and Tribune.
THE NEXT PRESIDENCY.


For the Wing and Tribune.
THE NEXT PRESIDENCY.
Aessrs. Editors:
1t is certain that Grant will be the
candidate of the Radical Republi-
cans. Recent State elections show,
that if Grant be opposed by nomi-
nee of the National Democratic par
ty, he win be reelected without
even a contest. Now, the question
is, what course shall be pursued by
the opponents of radicalism to de-
feat Grant, and save the country
from utter ruin?
am satisfied that those who stand
opposed TO radicalism, constitute a
controlling majority of the Ameri-
can people. Those elements of OPP
position, however, are discordant,
as amongst themselves; and, embrace
ing men of all former political ante
cedents, and men estranged by sec
tional views and prejudices. Some
thing has to be done, land speedily,
too towards uniting them all IN
der a common flag, and on the one
grand idea of rescuing our common
country from the grasp of the ig-
norant, vicious and corrupt party
who now control it.
This union of the opposition is
not by any means impossible. 1t
can be effected. 1t will be effected.
The people-those who reason,
and are governed by virtue and pa
triotism = are heartily Disguised
with all extremists. They have as
much opposition towards extreme,
or radical democracy as they have
for radical republication.
Almost always, truth and sound
policy dwell midway between the
extremes.
There must be an abandonment Of
al the old parties, on the part of
the people, if they would save the
Republic.
All men, OF all sections, of all old
party names, and of both races, who
love liberty and constitutional I'm
ion, must come together in an or
ganized spirit of fraternity and pa
triotism, and band together, as one
man, in bold, sincere and jealous res
olution to put down the extremists;
to drive from power the small men
and corrupt knaves who control the
government, and who regard it
as a mere machine to ''grind out''
fat offices for the Yictors. We must
wake up the sleeping and proscrib-
ed giants of the land-the giants of
intellect and virtue-and place the
government in their hands. We
must recur to the true theory of our
government. We must re-inaugu-
rate honesty, economy and eficien-
cy in all the departments of our
government, and act on the single
idea that we are HberatiRg army,
lesgued against nlisrule and corrup-
ton. We must tread the blackboard
road, until we get back to those cid
fashioned, honest revolutionary no
tions, which prevailed when Wash
ington, and Madison and Monroe
held sway, and when honesty and
good faith marked the career Of all
public men.
If all men who desire this will
come forth and organize, no doubt
the victory will be ours. We must
have no eye for the "loaves and
fishes" We must have no Office
seekers no demagogues in our
ranks. The best men in the nation
must be searched for and placed in
power, irrespective of sectionalism
or former party distinction. The
old, jaded, corrupt party hacks, who
are stepped in demagogism, must be
discarded. Pure men, great men,
patriotic men, iberty-loving men,
must be placed at the head of the
RefOrmers. We must go into the
struggle with brave and confding
hearts. We must move as God
trusting lovers of our native land,
and as men resolved to conquer.
This is the only pathway out of the
wilderness. The road is plain
enough. To pursueit, requires only
the sacrifice of some old prejudices;
some love of party. Is there enough
virtue in the land to save us from
ruin? We shall see. For myself, l
believe that the great idea above
suggested will be adopted this win
ter, and that the National Conser-
vatives will gain a glorious victory
next Fall. There is no other hope.
OLD WING.