Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-10-31
FCHEArHAI AND JOHNSON


We hoist at our masthead the name o
Gsn. B. F. Cheatham, of Coffee, for Con
gress from the State at large. We are
moved to this step by every consideration OF
duty and principle. The triangular Congress
sional contest which has turned the smooth
and placid waters Of Tennessee politics in
to the seething cauldron of Hecate, no lon
ger presents the relative merits of three
men as its salient and distinctive features.
As long as it furnished scope for personal
rivalry, and eliminated no more serious
issues than individual fitness for Offce-as
long as an overwhelming Democratic ma
j0rity precluded the possibility of Radi-
cal triumph, and diverted the heated discus
sion of minor subjects, affecting State affairs,
of dangerous aud serious consequences,
personal choice might govern personal sc-
ton in the premises. But matters have
taken a graver turn, and fiOm the fierce
contact Of personal claims, jarring together
with constant force, questions have been
evolved which affect the integrity of princi-
pie and shake the foundations of party in
which are centered our political hopes. At
its incipiency the canvass was almost en-
tirely personal in its character. Andrew
emerging from digniied and seemly re-
tiremen5 at Greeneville TO revisit the
scenes of his former exploits-this time a
rebel against party ussges which he had
formerly professed to venerate-Frank
Cheatham obeying the behest Of respect
able public sentiment, expressed in con-
ventiOn of electors, and yielding perhaps TO
aspirations by no means unworthy or rep
rehensibl2, stepping upon the political stage
for the first time-presented to the people Of
Tennessee but little more than i mere op-
pOrtuuity to compare the relative merits OI
two men, both of whom with slight excep-
tions, recited the same political creed.
True, Gen. Cheatham was the AOminee Of
a conYention--the credited standard bearer
of the Democratic pdrty-chosen in accOr-
dance with time honored usage. But
there were many Democrats 10 the State
who held the opinion that strict obedience
to party is obligatory only when essential
TO success-When a probability of defeat
renders 1t necessary to ensure victory. Be-
sides, Mr.. johnson claimed also to be an
orthodox Democrat and the nominee OF
''the people," albeit bis commission was the
farcical voice of an ebullient torch-light pro-
SOSSIOu db LLo S1Plbat VI tLiO OSe-eOy OAOA 'OS
cling with sudden enthusiasm and boiling
over with the zeal of an hour. An over
whelming Democratic majority being con-
sidered certain, a large portion Of the con-
servative element were content to let the
personal merits of the two men decided the
controversy.
But dangers unforeseen have loomed up
menaciDgly and a campaign which at its
incipiency presented merely the personal
rivalry of Andrew johnson and b. +.
Cheatham, has assumed the bolder and
more serious aspect of struggle between
Democracy and RadicalSm. Between
these two We cannot halt.
The nomination of Horace Maynard, an
ingenious Ariadne, who holds the clue to
many complicated intrigue, while awaken
ing no serious apprehensiOrs at the start,
has since developed mastery policy Oh
the part Of the Radicals. His ability and
fneSSe have accomplished wonders, and
amid our cavilling and dissensions he con-
fronts us with an organized strength,
possibly capable of achieving victory. Op-
posing him we find the Democratic party
and Andrew johnson. The former pre-
sents It's nominee and an organization tc
confront an organization. The latter pre-.
sents himself, his grievances and disarFay
Of forces. Duty now impels us to choose
eetween these and We e.nnOt hesitate
longer. We pronounce for the NOMINEES
and fall into line.