Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-04-12
o have a convention of the

TO have q convention Of the
few who live In the tewns ana
cities and Immediately on the lines Of
railway, while the great body of the peo-
pie will be entirely unrepresented, Oh
what's worse, misrepresented.
We cannot resist the force of this argu-
'ment. 1t is not safe TO be in too big a hur-
nv when there Is 50 much time. Such a
convention win be criticised, and is LA
ble to prove unsatisfactory and to pro-
duce disaffection. 1t will, to say the
least off il, most likely fail TO command
the confidence of the people. We have
more h a once entered dissent to
this action of the committee, and we
would be content to remain silent if the
matter was not 50 often adverted to by
the people and so freely discussed and
clearly condemned by them. AT this
Convention, among other things, a an
didate for Governor isto be nominated,
a Presidential electoral ticket put in the
field, and a platform o~fprinciples for the
coming canvass. All this is to be done
in advance of the meeting of the Nation
al Democratic Convention. To select
an electoral ticket in advance Of the ae-
ton of the convention,it seems TO Us, is a
fearful leap in the dark. VIII we COM
NIT men to the support of a
ticket for the Presidency that
may be untitled to the task be
cause of conflicting political an
tecedents, and opinions that are of them-
selves irreconcilable? Who can say
what wiz be the result of the action of
either the Democratic National Conven-
ton? Who is willing to commit him
self unqualifedly TO the support of men
or measures unknown to him? A plat
form of principles, unless they dwindle
into insipid and ~unmeaning phrases and
g~eneralities, may produce mischiefs-l
great mischiefs-in the canvass; trouble
that may hazard, if not defeat, the De-
mocracy even in the State ofTennessee.
There is no precedent in the history
Of the Democratic party to justify this
hasty step. Six months is too long for
any canyass The time itself will abate
the interest that should be inspired in
the contest. 1t is the first opening to a
splendid victory over Radical rule and
tyranny that has been presented to the
people since the war. The elements fa-
vor success "tf prudent councils pre-
vail, - and we must not in haste throw
all our chances away, and blast our
hopes of political liberty forever. We
cannot be too careful to avert such a re-
suit.
The recent announcement of one of
Tennessee's most distinguished sons,
General Frank Cheatham, as a candi-
date for Governor, adds to these comph-
cations. His friends have put him upon
the track, and they areat work in a way
thatindieates determination. They are,
throughout the most of West Tennes-
see, demanding by letters and otherwise
of the committee that the convention
shall be postponed until after the August
elections, and we doubt not the Execu-
tive Committee viii favor their just de-
mands. They say: I've only ask fair
play and If it turns out that General
Cheatham is not the choice of the people
for the distinguished he aspires to,
they will be satisfied. We speak advis-
eddy when we say that General Cheat
ham does not intend to run independent
iy OF the convention. He is a candidate
for the nomination and viii abide its de-
cisions, whatever they may be; but he
ought In justice be allowed to canvass
his claims for the Office before the people
Of the entire State. His record in the
past is without a single blot. He is too
good a Democrat, toe pure a man, and
mas the success of his party and good Of
his State too much at heart to disregard
The voice Of a people who love him so
well as the people of Tennessee. Be
tides, he is not an O~ffice-seeker or
politician, but a plain farmer. When
he clangor of arms ceased he !
to his farm in Coffee county, {
where he now lives. His integrity is L
lnquestioned and unquestionable. AS 8
said on yesterday, there is a magnet Z
SIN about the man that draws the peo- I
pie near to him. he inspires confidence, !
admiration, love and enthusi- J
He has rendered services to he .
State and country that will not soO be {
forgotten by the people of Tennessee. l
say this much in his interest, be- !
cause we appreciate the man, and with :
out any view or purpose to take sides f
n a contest, the principals in which are 7
among the best and truest of our public :