Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-08-15

We have received the following COM
munication from a prominent citizen of
this District, which we publish without
comment, only prefacing with the remark
that the high character and respectable
standing of the writer and his evident
earnestness, entitle his communication to
a careful and candid consideration at the
hands of or readers:
A Werd to the Republicans ofthe
First Congressional District.
For THE HERALD AND TRIBUNE:
On Thursday next the Democracy meet
in Convention at Morristown, to nominate
q candidate for Congress. From all that
l can learn, I take it that if a nomination
is made at all, at that Convention. it will
be made with deliberate judgment, and
the best and most available man in their
ranks will be put forward. All mere
personal preference, and personal consid-
Grafton will be ignored, and success alone
will be the controlling motive. The candi-
dates have no bread and butter friends I'M
der pay to attend in their interest. to affect
great enthusiasm for their favorites. but
they. the delegates, will be comparatively
free to act, and they will act alone in view
of the triumph of their cause in November
Such is usually the course of q party, con-
scious of its wi weakness, doubtful Of
success, and forced to depend alone upon
the personal merits of the candidate, and
the political theory Of creed which he
represents.
But such is not always the course offs
party accustomed to success, and long in
the enjoyment Of the fruits of victory and
triumph. In such case the party, though
once free Republican and pure, is often
transformed into a complete arristocracy
where the masses are the servants and
the few a very few are the masters.
In such case a few are supreme. Con-
v%entions are gotten up in the name of the
people, but almost invariably manipula-
ted in the interest of the few, and men
and measures forced upon the people who
are compelled either to endorse them or
suffer all the evils aud notifications Of
defeat as a party.
It is here. mt this stage in the history
of a party that principle honor and truth
are alike ignored, and the party becomes
subservient to personal interests and the
ends of ambitious and inscriptions dem
agogues.
Is such the condition of the Republican
party? Are We as. Republicans free, or
are we the dupes and servants of the few
who make money or get their bread and
butter at the sacrifice of principle and the
will of the people. VIII the delegates, so
called, soon to meet at Rogersville juno
ton for the purpose of saying who We
shall vote for, for Congress. be controlled
by their better Judgment and respect the
sense and known will of the people. or
will the loaves and fishes be the controll-
ing element and shape their action. Will
they force upon US a man as our leader
whom good men must follow, if at all at q
great distance for whom they must vote
If at all under protest; for whom they
must vote but cannot in good conscience
endorse for whom them must vote but
with a mental reservation, or for whom
thew must vote if at all, but whose charac-
ter and record is such that they cannot vim
dictate. 1
Will that Convention do 80 foolish =
thing as to force this necessity upon our
people? 1 hope not. Will We learn noths
ing from the past? Will we close our
eyes to the facts of the present? Will
we longer presume upon the patience and
forbearance of our people? Can We long |
err presume that devotion to party will
blind our people to principle. to honor, !
propriety and common decency in their
of a Representative in the Ma
Halls of Legislation. If so We
will deserve and will In November receive
that rebuke which our folly 50 fully mer
its.
Now I have said these things in al
kindness, and not one word have
in malice or ill-will towards any
one. 1 speak as every Republican ought
to speak, plainly, candidly and with an
eye single to the best interest Of our party
and in view Of the success Of those princi-
pies which we all sanction and love.
/ am seeking no Office. am no politician
md have no one to serve from personal
considerations.
Very truly. yours. ed
A GRANT REruBLIcAN. !