Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-09-07

WE know not why it is so, but the
impression has been made abroad, that
our county election turned upon polit-
zeal issues and that the Radicals sue
ceeded in electing their candidate for
Sheriff. Such gross misrepresenta-
tions are not rare in these degenerate
times, and we would pass this one by
in silence, did we not view it as a Rad
ical device to resusitate defunct par
ty and give it semblance of life, as
well as an effort to SANDER people
noted for their opposition to Radical
lem and their devotion to the theory
and principles upon which our gov
ernment was, originally, based.
1t is true that there were two candi-
dates for Sheriff, one Independent, the
other the nominee of County Con-
vcntion. Both were and are, true
southern conservatives and between
whom, there is not shade of politi-
cal difference. No question Of po-
ltical character was raised by their
respective friends, and both, together
with their conservative supporters, are
the friends Of Greeley and Brown
OF course we do not include, under
the head Of friends, the colored voters
and the few Radicals of light complex
ION, who still limger here with the hope
of picking up something overlooked
by the band of Radical foragers who
have passed on with well filed pockets
and consciences burdened with mem
cries of deeds Of robbing and wrong
that have forever shut them out Of the
pale of honest society,
The rumor to which we alude, has
no other foundation than the fact that
opposition to Conventions assumed
here, as elsewhere, the form of a po-
litical epidemic which afflicted, alike
the high and the low-thc symptoms
being sort of mental alteration
which faucies that conventions are the
agencies by which designing few seek
20 subject the many to the degradation
orpolitical bondage, This monomania,
if we may use the term without offcnse,
seems to have closed the eyes Of its
Eictima, to the patent fact that, with
out organization, neither government
nor society can be held together. OF
mqde to subseryG the ends of their
creati0n-tho protection and happi.
ncss of all within their respective
spheres. They also lost sight of the
truth of the proposition, that the abuse
of thing is no sufficient argument
against It's use.
That Conventions have been pack
ca in the interest OF individuals an,
rings" no one will deny. But how
were they packed, and why2 The ia
cility for packing was furnished b,
the passive Indifference of the people
10 their highest interests and tn
why Is answered 10y the pronencss o
selfish ambition to avail itself of tn
opportunities afforded by that culpl
HE popular Indifference The adag
il homcly, but true, that what is every
body's business il nobody's, and a
long as the people fail to devise som
mode whereby concert of action be SO
cured, there will be those who will tr
10 do it for them, some from motive
purely patriotic, others through selfish
ness alone. This is the secret of pack
cl conventions and the people them
fclvcs, are TO blame for whatever evil
result, because they grow out of thei
own indifference and neglect. A
will learn, sooner or later, that with
out organization, there must be polit
ical chaos, condition even worse tina
the worst form Of organized covers
mcnt, and even packed conventions ar
better IN "a no organization at all.
This whole subject narrows itse'
down 10 this simple proposition Wi
ihcy sclcct some form Of organizatio
aud SEQ il fairly carried out or ris
the consequences that must folio
senar.tc individual actionG The maS
inn, every man for himself may'do !
the ordinary pursuits Of business lii'
hut in governmental affairs II eannC
reiuced practice without onta'l'n
oes,iia rain ap,a ID entire bo'iy poll