Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-10-29
THE TRUE ISSUE.

To the Editor of the Union and American:
In listening to Gan. VIM. A. Quarles, at
Fayetteville, on Saturday, was especially
struck with feature which has permeatet
every speech have heard from him in this
campaign-his clear conception and practi
cal statement of the issue. Gen. Qlarles,
being one of the Electors for the State at
large, seems especially representative O
bis party, in thai, the canvass which he |:
called upon to make, involves the rest-the
success of the Presidential contest being
dependent upon local work, which means
organization. 1t appears that Gen. Quarle:
Is the only one of the Electors for the State
who has gone into the field for work-earn-
nest, hard, effective work. / use the word
effective understandingly.
The danger OF the day, to the
people and the party, Is the tendency
TO chaos which disorganization will
hasten TO promote; and which is the fruit
full soil for Capitalization.
= In the Presidential contest manv men
have hesitated to declare preference as be-
tween Grant and Greeley, and but for the
solemn declaration ofthe Baltimore conven-
ton would to-day allow their personal in-
difference to keep them from the polls.
But when the assembled wisdom of the
party declares that in Mr.. Greeley they
have hope and confidence, it is strong ar
gument in his favor and has decided the
lukewarm and the Indifferent to rally to his
support, for the common good. The. argu-
ment is good and sufficient, although each
member of the party left to himself, might
not have seen the wisdom of such action.
1t is not the men that are at issue, but tbs
principles they represent. In the Guberna
tional contest it is not Gen. Brown and
MIR. Freeman that are Of impor-
lance TO US as individuals but their
principles. Is it the wish of the people of
Tennessee that tbs principles of the party
Mr.. Freeman represents should become as
cendant in the State, or those which Gov.
Brown proclaims? That is the question,
The question is not personal. It is upon
Ideas, principles.
Inthe contest of Cheatham and MAYNARD,
Z would not be difficult for the people of
Tennessee to make choice between the par
les represented by them. 1t is the same
contest. But complication has been pro-
1uced by member of our own party, and
,he main issue has for moment been lost
SIGHT or aPresuming upon his personal
strength, rather than upon any principle in
Folved In the original contest, Mr.. johnson
has chosen to throw himself between the
'Wo parties, 10 the hope that HIS
PERSON may attract more strength than the
principles Of either party. This is assum-
ng good deal, and inverting the old order
If things, when men were secondary to
principles. This personal popularity"
dea is most hurtful to the peace, welfare
IN slff -.
list step in the decline and fall of al
epubiics.1 Ii was Caesars confidence In his
,Wn personal popularity which tempted
hat ambitious leader to sacrifice the Roman
Sepubic, to ctndicate his Otcn record Dis.
'rganization is always dangerous in the
ace OF an enemy. 1t is the old stratagem |
# divide and conquer. edl .-s
Shall it be said of the Demo cratic party |
hat again it has been defeated |
'ecause. of one man. Why should |
re permit mere personal grievances,
PERSONAL ambition to be thurst upon us at
UGH timer Andrew johnson is not of /
lore Importance than the pa ty, than the
ontest between local selfgoVernment and |
to the people of Tennessee;
ct Mr.. johnson has jeopardized both; and |
y our folly we would strengthen the hands
{ Gen. Grant Of weaken Mr.. Greeley by
ending to Congr- IS = vindictive enemy of
'ennessee in the person of Horace May
ard. said our folly, is that not peYp
ITO? Ii the republic is doomed to die the
cath under Gen. Grants consolidation
chemes, let it not be written that Tennes-
eeans were the grave diggers, nor helped to
EAR over it a gilded monument of consoI-
lated government.
| have been tempted to write these
lings, by listening to several of Gen.
,uarles speeches, which to my mind are
Ding noble service for the cause whose
tvocate he is. It will not be thought an
luivocal compliment to say that it is not
much what the General says, however
oquent, as what he compels his hearers to
.snk-that makes him so effective. When
EN- are recalled from their usual voca-
ons long enough to stop and think then
there meaning in the apothegm, ro1 pop
., rOI Del. M.