Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-13
TENNEssEE PnLTrICn-

1t seems almost suQerhuous TO argue the
reasons that render continued DEMOCRATIC
organization eminenty desirable if not es-
sential to the well being Of the people of
Tennessee. That the present State Gov
eminent is in all its departments eminently
representative of the people, win hardly be
questioned. By preserving our Democratic
organization we render the continuance of
self-government as certain as anything hui
man can be. No utopian scheme of chronic
carpers can even promise a brighter future
for free government among us, than that
which the Democracy assures. And
in the struggle for national redemption.
we can labor as efficiently i'm the
Democratic ranks as elsewhere. The work
Of repairing Radical ravages in our State is
barely begun. The matter requires time
and patience. The Democracy, Judging by
Its course thus far, endeavors to burdenthe
people as lightly as possible, in meeting
the extravagant bills contracted by its ire
sponsible predecessors. And this, be it re-
membered, is the great practical problem
with us for some years to come.
Divisions among our people are to be
deprecated for many and notorious reasons.
We recognize that Radical oppression drove
many dissimilar elements into the opposi-
ton, Unionists and ex-Rebels, Old Wings
and Old Democrats. Recognizing that the
good of the people demands continued CO.
operation, the Democratic element has been
eminently concilatory, as witness every
campaign Of the past seven years. 1t
is our duty TO continue this course
of moderation in regard to all minor
differences, and 10 discOuntenance every
effort to distract and divide our
people. Such has been the steady course
OF the UNION AND AMERICAN, while 9th
ers continually run after new things, mag
nitying every triHe, and demanding a "new
deal" We conceive that the people now
have their government in their own hands,
and We shall exert our measure of influence
10 keep it in their hands. The danger of
dissension is inceased by the centralizing
tendencies Of the times. So long as our
people present solid front, we are COM
paratively safe; while divisions would af-
ford opportunity for Federal Interference.
1t is All unpleasant fact that the negroes
among us remain q Radical unit, and are
likely 10 remain so until Radicalism is over
thrown, when We may hope for the final
and real disenLhrallmeut Of their race. In
the meantime we must guard against such
divisions among our people as might give
the balance or power to a class Of voters
who still remain under the tutelage
Of the EXTREMIST wing Of RadiclIism. And
we must remember that, with their breth-
rem Of Fast Tennessee, it would require no
great detection in our ranks to place the
State again at the mercy of Badicalism.
What \ disgrace it would be for the peo-
pies triumph Of 1863 TO terminate in a
miserable repetition on our part Of the
Stokes-Seuter fasco. To make such a
contingency morally impossible, there is no
method more certain than preserving our
Democratic organization.
We recognize the task of holding to-
gether a large party, whose nominations are
equivalent to election Ii calls for mutual
concessions, liberation. and the sacrifice at
times Of personal preferences. Nothing is
more unseemly in a free people than squab-
bes for office where 10 principle Of public
polity is involved. Our rulers are merely
the servants Of the people. Offices are ere
ated to meet public wants-nOt to reward
good men, nor even to recognize
special service to the State. 9th
erwise we might at times be
obliged TO multiply Offices to reward
eminent public servants, which would be
absurd. Therefore our people must beware
Of mere oflice-seekers. They should look
with distrust on any man, high or low, in
office or ont, who seems disposed to push
his claims to the bitter end. regardless Of
the general veal. In urging respective ia
yorites, let us ali bee careful not to trespasS
on that first principle Of democracy, that
the majority should rule.
We venture these remarks thus early,
that they may be calmly pondered, ere the
heat Of the campaign, partisan passions or
personal iealousies intervene to cloud the