Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-01-13
Ex-Gov. Jacobs on tho situation.

Ex-GOv. Jacobs on the situation.
The times are ripe for some new
and decisive move upon the chequer-
board of politics. That some move
wise or otherwise-will be made
within a short period Of time, which
viii tell for veal or for woe upon
the destiny of this once great and
happy republic, we are perfectly
sure. What that move lCU be, we
do net know; but have painful APP
prehensions that it viii be fatal TO
the existence of repubicanism on
this continent. What il ought to be,
we think is clearly and most salts
factOrily set forth in the admirable
letter of Ex-Governor Richard 7.
Jacobs, 4 lifelong Jacksonian Dem
ocrat, an extract from which we
copy below, and commend TO the
thoughtful consideration Of every
man who sincerely desires the de-
feat of Gen. Grant, in his desire to
reinvested with the robes of Office.
To our mind he offers the only hope
full solution Of the vexed aud vexing
question. Read:
(From the New York sun, January H.
CLIFTON, December s, 1871.
Nh Dear Sir You ask me what
| think would be the wisest policy
for the Democratic party 10 pursue
in regard to the next Presidential
election, and what would be for the
best interest Of the country. Though
Democrat of the jackson school
from my youth, DO not hesitate TO
say that in my opinion the party has
been seriously, if not fatally, dam
AGED. The great frauds in New \ ork
on the one hand, and the insane raw
ings OF JEFF. Davis, TOombs and the
Bourbon uress on the other, have
disabled it for the time being, if not
permanently. The best policy for
the organization, and the best for
the interest of the country, is that
the next election should be fought
on new issues.
Let the Liberal Republicans lake
the lead With good nomination
and a platform of liberal principles,
embracing the cardinal points for
which the National Democracy have
commended. such as official purity
and honesty; general amnesty; q
revenue tariff sufficient 10 pay a
small part of the principal and in
terest annually of the public debt,
and the expenses of the Government
economically administered nen-re-
pudiation; the supremacy of the
civil over the military authority;
freedom Ofspeech; the National and
State Governments kept within their
constitutional limits; obedience to
the law, as long as it remains the
law of the land, subject TO popular
revision at the ballot-bOx, a triumph
may be gained which will be salts
factory to every patriot of " whatever
party.
With The acceptance of the Consti-
tuition as ii is, and civil service re-
form, l do not understand why we
Democrats could not cordially sup
port any good candidate upon such
a platform as / have suggested,
| The acceptance of the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amend
ments breaks down the barriers be
| tween liberal Republicanism and
liberal Democracy. On all the great
and vital Issues Of the day, they are
together; and the highest duty Of
patriots and statesmen is to cement
that unity. This gives US an Oppor-
tuuity of instantly pacilying and
! banding together the Union by
| bands of love, which would realize
what our fathers contended fora
more perfect Union.