Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-09-23
STATE POLITICs-LKssoNs LEARN.

ED.
we are glad 10 see our city contemporary
drop It's recent tone of depreciation as to the
discussion Of State politics in this junc.ure,
and take hold of the subject with COM
mendable caudcr. In its Issue of he 20st,
after recognizing the thorough organization
OF the Republican party, with Horace May
nsrd as its probable candidate for Govern
or next year, the Banner remarks of tie
"opposition:'
''IDdeed, 1t consists oftwo factions. divided
upon the anti Military and anti johnson
issues last year, and these divisions have
cot been healed, nor are they likely to be,
unless the sscendency of the views of the
liberal cement should be assented to and
acknowledged by what is known as the
Bourbon element, per sc. Take the
vote for Congressman for the State
at large last year, as the test of the
Strengths best defining the exact pro-
portions of the three distinct parties of that
campaign, and we have a total poll of 183-
9lS ballots or these the r publicsus Gn-
Guiding the colored voters) cast S0,S25;
the Liberals, or johnson men, 1880, and
the Straight Democrats 5,1SS. With the
concentration of the Cheatham and the
johnson vote, If that be possible, and can
be brought about in time for the next cleo
ton, the Republicans would have to over
come MAORI y of at lesst 22,263. It is
not to be denied that but for the detection
OF the johnson vote of last year, the cleo
ton Of Maynard for the State at large, and,
doubtless, of majority of the Republican
Representatives for Congress, would have
been impossible. The forty thou
sand voters on the johnson side
could cast the balance whichever
way they decided, and virtually WELD the
balsnce of power. Only this much Is
certain, that the Republicans are in a mi
nority, and can accomplish nothing, unless
they can succeed in keeping divided the
heretofore antagonistic factions within the
| opposition. An avowed Bourb,n, fsunt-
| ing the Democratic label, could not be elect
ed in any event." etc.
When, during our last unfortunate can
vass we ,iaily urged our conviction that
continued division in our ranks would give
Tennessee six or seven Radical Congress
men, many treated it as bugaboc; facie
figures were published to show how We
could divide our vote with all safety, and
predictions were ventured that Republican
dissffection with Maynard would swell the
vote of one of our rival candidates. We
take the above as recognition, thus far in
advance, that we cannot tdivide and con-
quer" next time. We have all learned that
lesson.
A second lesson in the above is that,
without the division in orr ranks, the cleo
tion Of Maynard and majority ofthe other
Radical Congressman would have been
impossible"
A third point Of agreement results: that
next year the Republicans 'can accomplish
nothing unless they succeed in keeping us
divided" We agree with the Banner that
the work of division among us is Radical
work, and shoult be left to Radicals exclu-
sively.
Thus agreeing as to the manner in which
Tennessee might be turned over to the
Radicals, we presume our contemporary
agrees also IN regard to the magnitude Of
from such ''reaction." The present run
ming expenses OF our State govern,
ment range about $500, 600 per an
mum. Ii there be any feasible plan |
for reducing them, consistent with |
the honor Of the State-which we believe |
the bulk Of Tennesseesns OF all political |
crseds are determined to maintain-we shall |
heartily urge it. But think you Radical
A minisIation would be content with |
100000? Shall the history of our own
State and every other that ever fell under |
the Radical blight, be lost on us? Such an
administration would double, yea trebble,
this 100000 before the close of its frs.
term. And allow us to express the convic,
tioa that it would be no essy matter to dis
poyess our opponents at the end Of that first
term. With the Federal power and patron
age at their back, and the State credit strain
ed foc corruption funds, our enemies would
literally use our own substance to perpetu
ate our bondage How easily they could
ges up Kellogg McEnery snarll And we
have seen what Grant and Cor gress would
do. We bode much that Radical triumph
next year would mean Radical rule for ten
years to come. .... --..........
II would not be candid in US to ignore
some passages in the Banners article which
we regret. Il divides It's opposition into
d" Anti Military and Anti Johnson" We
know of no party which advocates Mill
tary or ex-Miltary regime. It has been the
of cur old volunteer State TO send
its best blood snd brain into every war since
its organization in 179G. We do know of q
large class who manifest preference for
intelligent, bigh-toned farmers as rulers;
but we do not suppose they would taboo
such farmer if be fought for what lie
thought was right on either side in war
that is fast Iecedine into past generation.
These men on either side, must, lie their
leaders, Abrahsm Lincoln and Jefferson
Davis, leave their vindicstion to the
verdict of history. The soil Of Tennessee
has witnessed the horrors of too many real
ba'tlefelds, to have any heart for sham
fights at this late day. Neither do we like
the expression "AnI johnson ISSUE" be-
cause cur aim is measures, not men; and
we particularly deprecate one-man issue,
either negative or positive. No good to tie
people at large can result from its agitation. {
Although our contemporary gives the
strength of the "Libersls" at $1,000, and
he "S'raight Democrats" at 65,1S8, yet it !
seems to intimate that the only means
Of cooperation is for the "Straights" TO =
become Liberals" Some might say It is
/ mere question ofnEmbers, and the Amer. Z
can idea is that the majority should rule. i
Diners might say il is mere question of ]
,bstinacy, and if 81 can ,defe It 65, of course c
IS can defeat 81. We must respectfully
lecliue to take either view-that of rela-
i've numbers or relative obstinacy-aId 6
submit it to the patriotism of both classes
hat they can and should unite in saving