Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-07-27
OUR COUNTY ELECTIONS.

Some people are disposed to eriti-
else the position of the WING AND
TRIBUNE in regard to the pending
county elections. However, eve.are
satisfied with it, and the experience
of forty-two years only serves to
confirm us of it's fairness and justice
to all. In our judgment, the heart
burnings and animosities incident
to political contests should be avoid
ed Whenever possible in purely
county elections; and the best and
surest way to avoid them is for eve
ny aspirant for such positions torun
upon his merit and qualifications as
man, and not as a partisan. We
are sensible of the fact that in some
counties and cities since the war it
has been, and may yet be necessary
to unite the Democratic and Con-
sentative masses on one ticket to
prevent the election of a corrupt
carpet-bagger, or some incompetent
and unprincipled demagogue, who
would ride into Office on the pas
sions and prejudices OF the ignorant.
But when such necessities exist, the
fair and proper way to proceed is to
call convention of the people, or
hold primary election and nomi-
nate the man whom the people may
thus select. Amy other way of irul-
ing honorable, worthy, and acompe-
tent gentlemen out of race is not
only unfair and unjust to them and
their friends, but savors of arbitra-
ny dictation, or private interests to
serve on the part of the few self-con-
stituted judges who thus presump-
tuously assume the role of dictators.
For our part, we sec no danger
whatever of the election of Radi-
cal in Madison county; and even If
there was such a danger, we, or no
other man or set of men, have any
right to name the strongest Demo-
crat or Conservative in the race, un-
til the people have spoken through
a primary election or in a conven-
ton. arr ue .f- bras
Although we have lived in Madi-
son county for thirty years, and for
that long period have been identi-
fed with all her interests, both in
peace and in war, yet s0s do not feel
warranted in deciding the delicate
and difficult questions of strength
and merit between the many honor
able and worthy gentlemen now So
Letting her sufTrages; nor win we be
a party to any attempt whatever to
ostracise any candidate in the field,
or to stihe the. free voice of the peo-
pie. There is no political principle
involved in the pending county cleo
tion-it is simply question of fit
ness aud capacity-the candidates
in the field are old citizens, well
known to the people, and we think
that the people should be left free
and untramelled in their selections.
The tendency to form cliques and
dictate to the people without con-
sulting their interests, or bully
them into the selfish and interested
views of a few self-constituted lead
ers, with political scarecrows and
hobgoblers, is one of the most seri-
Gus evils of the day; and hence we
unreserVedly reiterate that orr col
umns shall not be prosttuted TO a
purpose so unjust, uncalled for, and
unworthy.
If there be danger of electing a
Radical, by divisions said by some
to exist, there is fair, a Just, and
a proper way of removing that dan
ger without injustice to any aspi-
rant; and until such fair and author
itative action is taken by the people
il is no part of the mission of a pub
lie journal to assume the role of die
tator, and the journal that does so
is, to say the least oft, open to the
suspicion of bargain, intrigue, and
corruption"
In contests like this, when ques-
tons of merit and capacity are alone
involved, and when a number of our
best and most competent citizens
are eontending for the same Office, it
is the duty of the county paper to
deal out equal and exact justice to