Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-03-30
MEMPHIS APPEAL
wFIcIAL JOURNAL OF THE CITY,
rnr PAaaIYE P0LIcY.

II Is not often that we lumber our
columns with long political docu-
meuts, but as the Passive Policy,
recommended by the Democracy OF
Missouri, is likely to be adopted by
the National Democratic party, and Is
SO little understood, we lay before our
readers this morning an exhaustive
argument upon this subject. With
out fully endorsing the article, we
commend It to the careful perusal Of
our readers, 80 that they may under
stand the motives sctusting those
who originated or favor the passive
policy. If we understand the posi-
ton Of the Democratic party, 1t
is simply this: As Democrats,
to have nothing to do with the Gin
cinnati convention. 1t isa Republic
can movement, gotten up by men
who protest against the corruption,
usurpation and extravaganza that has
disgraced and deprsved the Republic
can party, and who refuse to bow the
knee to the dHmb Baal that has
greedily devoured every sacrifice Of
fered it, and encouraged the bloody
rites, expressions and prosecutions
that have made its worship slavish and
It's rule degrading. Democrats do not
propose, even IL the Liberal Republi-
cans at Cincinnati present an accepta.
bic ticket, to call a national conven-
ton to approve and sdopt it; such q
policy might frighten many honest
Republicans from it, while it would
not secure for it q single Democratic
vote. The Louisville Gurier-JouTnGI
thus defines the passive policy; little
Cincinnati convention is a suecess-it
it puts an acceptable ticket in the
held-if the great Republican journals
support that ticket-then the Demo
ratio party will not stand in its way.
Without indorsing, without being re-
sponsible for the Cincinnati move
ment or nominees, without defending
them or their antecedents, it viii, in
the absence of q fair chance for itself,
choose between the Liberal candidates
and the Radical candidates. 1t will
preserve its own organization in the
several States. 1t viii put its nOmi-
nees in the field for governors, con-
gressmen and Legislators. 1t will not
embarrass the Liberals by a coalition,
nor compromise itself by a passivism
which may be regarded as the first
step toward dissolution. But it will
hope by the defeat Of Grant, and by
the division Of the present Senate, and
by the election Of the next House of
Representatives, to so enlarge and
chssten all the elements Of the OppOsi-
ton as to open the new administration
with q fresh set Of books, to which
Justice and law are the titles,
and to reorganize the govern
ment upon constitutional principles
csn claim the allegiance of ev-
sry patriot" Everything depends
upon the action Of the Cincinnati con-
Venhon. If it be represented by men
1f character in the Republican party;
1y thinking men who speak for the
oJpular mind, irrespective Of person
ambition, and viii recommend a
plan by which the fundamental prin-
'iples Of Democracy and true Rspub. ,
ieanhm, the independent and equal {
light Of every citizen in public affairs, :
md the decentralization Of power and :
Universal amnesty for civil and pOlit- c
cal offences can be secured, the DEM
cratic party viii make no nomina- !
ion for the presidency, but hold its /
irganizstion intact and give a solid 7
'Ote for the party promising to carry i
1to efsst the principles for which s
hey have struggled. II