Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-09-10

BEAEE E"VAsA kASSs--s ---r-
We cordially agre, with the Dyersburg
Progress that now is the opportune time
for the calm and dignifed discussion of va
rious matters of polity on which we have
unfortunately been divided. An old adsge
tells us that peace is the time to prepare
for war. Now, in this "off year." with no
canvass before US, either Federsl or State,
while oul minds are unwarped by personal
tiles and passions, prejudices and predilec-
tions, let US slowly survey the ground and
carefully set up some landmarks to guide
our footsteps In coming storms. We can
now appeal to cool reason, unbewildered
by the rapidly shifting scenes of an excited
campaign, and we may hope to reach
conclusions solid and unbiased.
The more time and caution
we nov e. ercise in this preliminary work,
the better will it be performed, and the
more stesdfastly Will we adhere to our
honest convictions when the day Of trial
comes. First, let us review this conven-
lion system. Much was written pro and
con. in cur last campaign; yet no opponent
of tie system, not even the bitlerest, sug-
gested any substitute whatever. We have
not the density of population nor the colt
comitant corruption which demands in some
Northern States the system of primary cleo
tons. This primary system requires sur
hal io her al In
thick populations, nor is l. at all necessary
where the masses of party remain honest.
Besides it ssvors ofdespotc forms, and af-
ter all is liable 20 abuse, because it can not
abolish the freedom of the human will or
the consequent capacity for doing wrong as
weIl as right. These facts explain why Ten
nesseeans have not he retofore thought of its
adoption. The time may come when it
will be desirable here. We doubt that the
time has yet arrived to make primary cleo
tons feasible in Tennessee, but hold our
selves open to conviction, and would like to
hear the views of our Democratic contem-
poraries throughout the State. 1t is true
that the convention system is liable to
abuse. T. same is true Of our Legislative
and Congressional system, from which the
convention derives its life, form and es-
sence. Every good thing, divine as well
as human, is liable to abuse. Iscariot
abused the confidence of the Goldman to
betray Him. Thss thu power of State Leg
islatures and Federal Congresses has been |
most foully abused, will hardly be accepted |
by any Democrat as suffcing reason for |
their dem clifton. Yet the power of cor
ventions is less liable to abuse for three |
reasons: 1, the delegates are fresher from the |
people; 2, they try 10 shape their work to |
suit the people, as that is their only pros
pect for success; 8, the people Immediately
pass judgment on their work, and if faulty |
it falls harmless 10 the ground. Not so
with Congresses and Legislatures: The
ves'ed privileges that these latter barter
away to monopolies are often beyond the
reach of people, judge or jury; while the
most odious measure or most oppressive
tax scheme becomes the law at once, and
the people have no chance for relief under
two to four years. But if the work of
is bad, the people set their seal
on 1t at once. Tennessee has never been
so poor in talent as to lack st auy time q
score Of sons equally honest and
capable of filling auy given
offics-say the GovernoIship. But
if all these feel. free to run each time,
we may be ruled forever by miserable
minority who combine on an inferior man
not in sympathy with the masses of the
people. The children of darkness are more
wise in their generation than the children
of Ugh. Our last campaign, if it taught
US anything, taught us That we cannot en-
by the luxury Of IGNORING with our votes
so many as t'gO favored sons Of Tennessee,
without yielding the palm Of victory the
enemy. If there be any other
better means than conventions, for securing
our forces from disastrous divisions, we
would like to hear them discu ssed no1g, in
he council tent, and not on the field Of
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