Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-09-27
WHAT is IN THE WIND.

In two States of the Union the
contest for political supremacy has
assumed unusual Importance. We
allude to Mississippi and Virginia.
The struggle is not the usual one of
the "outs" against the "ins," to be
followed by that peaceful calm
which follows the general election,
and to be succeeded by that sense
of security consequent upon good
government, no matter which Of the
contestants might succeed. Vir-
ginia rejoices in the reign of eonser-
vatism, and the fear of a change ag-
itates the old commonwealth. In
the last Presidential election, con-
trary TO all predictions, Virginia
voted the radical ticket, and cast
her electoral vote for Grant. Stead
lily since the war there has been an
influx of the carpet-bag element,
which has changed in some commu-
mites the complexion of affairs, and
has increased the uncertainty of her
vote in the future. Her true men
have put forth a good ticket, with
Gen. Kemper as their candidate.-
His defeat would be most disas-
trOus, and the fght is really for To-
cal selt-governmont, and the pres
ervation of the State from the rule
of the alien, spokesman and strane err.
Virginia is struggling hard to hold
that which she won under the lead
Of Gov. Walker.
In Mississippi, the prOperty-hold-
ers, the men of substance, are ma
king a death struggle 10 redeem
their State from the clutches of pub
lie robbers. In that State taxation
verges towards confiscation, and
the triumph of Ames means the
perpetuation of Negroocracy. We
confidently look for the election of
Alcorn, but the enemy will contest
every inch of ground, and the State
will shake beneath the shock of the
belligerents. In this State it is the
old war between the oppressed and
the oppressors, or in modern par
lance, an effort for local self-govern-
ment, and we have written the a
bove merely to direct the thoughts
of our readers to what is becoming
more discernible every day to the
reader of passing events; that old
nomenclature of politics is being
obliterated, and bereft of it's ter
rOrs. The people are unseduced
by names, party slogans and war
cries, and adopting that which is
practical, each party asserts itself
in its own way, and sets up, or
down, would-be rulers at its pleas
ure. All this is we'll to a certain
degree, but does stability ensue?-I
does public confidence increase,
and may not that disintegration,
which overtakes parties, extend TO
communities; and may not that I'M
licensed will which breaks partisan
allegiance be developed into a com
munistic spirit that will submit to
no restraints, however wholesome,
to no exactions however moderate.
As we localize parties, we dena-
tionalize them, and the question is
pertinent: Had we not better have
two great divisions of the whole
people, ranged under separate ban
hers, emblazoned with distinctive
principles, than a dozen bands ar
rayed one against the other, and
each but a faction in itself, puffed
up with self pride and self interest,
and led by leader more factious
still. In yielding to the need of To-
cal sslf-government, sometimes we
become the pIlant TOOL OF the nome
made demagogue, and "present
arms" at the beck of grog-shep ora
tors, or the heroes of cross-roads.-
And what is to come of all this con-
fusion and turmoil? Are we to take
the California election, in which
the anti-monopolists triumphed
over both the republican and dem
oeratic parties, as typical Of the
new movement around which the
popular will is to rally in the fu-
ture, and is our next Presidential
election to menace US with that
tinge of red-communism which is
born of war between the people
and corporations, between money
and muscle, capital and labor. The
complex questions which every day
evolves, were never more difficult
of solution, and comprehensive
craftsmanship has a task before it
worthy of its highest efforts.