Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-29
RADICAL oALoULArIosu.

We publish two editorials from the
Knoxville Chronicle, TO show the calcula-
tons that the Grant party in Tennessee
are making upon the dissensions in the
Democratic ranks. If these disssnsions
continue and should prove as splitter and
qnrelenting" as our opponents predict, then
they may reasonably calculate upon making
gains, both in the Congressional delegation
and in the Legislature. These are proba-
klllties which it would be folly TO disguise,
which It is the part of wisdom to see and ac-
knowledge and endeavor to eountersct. We
are not yet prepared to believe that the De.
noc-acy Of Tennessee win madly rush
upon their own ruin. We believe that
there is yet self sacrifice and patriotism In
tbe party sufficient TO prevent 1t from Inadly
delivering the State with all her great inter-
ests into the clutches Of thai Radicalism
which for four years robbed our people and
psralyzed all CTR industrial pursuits. I'm
der brief Democratic administration our
immense debt, created by Radical legisIa-
don, has been greatly reduced, our
State credit greatly exalted, and our name
made once more respectable at home and
abroad. Let not Democrats rush into the
nnaelstrom of dissensiOn without counting
the cost. Let then remember that sn in
ternecine warfare in our ranks win prove
thu Radical opportunity" and our ruin.
We cannot yet admit that the strong CON-
mon sense, devotion TO principle and un-
yielding patriotism Of the Tennessee De-
mocrsey are unable to save US from the dis
asters which threaten. Let us still breathe
the breath of hope, utter words Of concilia-
ton and follow the dictates Of the coolest
Judgment. The following ara the editor
ials of the Knoxville Chronicle:
OUR OPPORTUNITY.
The defiant position Of Andrew johnson
as as independent candidate for Congress
against Gen. Cheatham, the regular nomi-
nee of the late Democratic Convention, af-
fords the Republicans OF Tennessee an OPP
portunity for breaking down, finally and
completely, the incompetent, vindictiVe
and corrupt ring that has for three years
cursed the State with Its selfish and pro-
scriptive administration of public affairs.
It should be our first aim as party to
see that this ring OF military and selfish
politicians Is broken dOlcR. So long as they
are enabled to dictate to our Legislatures
the laws 10 govern us and TO theE party
the officers who are 10 execute those laws,
Just so long viii our schools be closed, the
stream of immigration be directed to other
States, our industries languish and Tennes-
see go backward instead Of forward. We
need more liberal and progressive men
Ia our balls of legislation, more upright,
fearless and capable men in our judiciary
and more honest and wiser men as our
administrative officers. We cannot
hare these until the people break down
the ring that has controlled Tennessee
for the last three years. Gen. Chatham
or Andrew johnson are nothing in
themselves, save as they may be
made the instruments TO accomplish the
great work 10 which we have referred. In
this important crisis of our public affairs,
the Republican party of Tennessee owes
b to the people Of the State and to
Itself 10 pursue that policy that will most
efiectually and securely accomplish this
long looked for result. We believe the
present bitter and iTreconcilsble division in
the ranks of our opponents, presents to the
Republicans Of Tennessee the opportunity
of wrestiog from unworthy hands the Gov
erIlnent of the frs State in the South, and
Of rendering to its people an incalculable
service. That the party may have the sa-
gacity aud ability TO make proper use OF
this great opportunity is our earnest hope
and siucare desire. 1t is one of those oc-
cssions when we need the advice and ex-
perience of our best and truest men, for il
we properly improve it, We can reflect hon
! or upoif ourselves and secure TO Tennessee
| the prosperous and glorious future which
VIC sincerely believe awaits her.