Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-12-20
THE NEeEssITY OF THE HOUR.

I =
lie sentiment and administered the
Government, in the face of a major
| itv opposition. In short, the Re
publican party is in the minority,
and yet it governs the country. How
will we account for this seeming
anomaly: In solving this question,
we appeal to the intelligent think
ers, OF every element which com
pose the opposition party. We ask
them as brothers engaged in a COM
mon cause, to reason with US on
this vital question. In the name Of
that liberty, which it is our COM
mon duty and ambition, to preserve
and hand down to posterity uuim-
paired, let US approach this import
ant question, uninfuenccd by pre-
judice or passion.
It's well established fact, that
organization and discipline, IS as
necessary in politics as in armies
Without organization ana discip-
line, armies are mobs that achieve
nothing but disaster. The same is
true of parties. An army, inferior
in numbers, but strong in organiza-
tiOn and discipliuc,is always an over
match for an enemy wanting in these
vital elements OF success. The very
same is true, as TO political parties
The history OF the world, which is
rs full Of party conflicts, as Of war,
attests this fact. The success of all
great undertakings, whether of
peace or war, depend upon organ
lzation. This is as true in religion
as in politics or national Conflicts
In short, it is the epitomc Of sue
Cess in all human cndcavor.
The Republican party is 7uperbly
organized, and thoroughly discip-
lined. 1t has able leaders, whose
words are the law which governs
the party. When they speak, the
rank and file hearkcn and obey. Par
ty blundcrs, party corruption, par
ty innovations upon the constitution,
and encroachmcnts upon the libcr-
ties Of the people, occasionally ex-
cite discussions in its ranks; but the
leaders speak, the party banner is
waved, the old battle cries are
shouted, and the whole party, like
disciplined soldiers fall into line
Hence the continued and defiant
rule OF the Republican party.
On the other hand, the opposition
party is without acknowledged lead
ers, without organization or discip-
line, without banner around
which all will rally, withouta par
ty slogan which can unite the clans
in common war. Divided and
demOralized by prejudice, by pas
sion, by personal ambition, by per-
sonal vanitics, as absurd as wicked,
by timidity, the outgrowth of p0licy
make-shifs, by discords, the result
of antc-bellum partizauism and by
hatred for the name Of the only par
ty, which for eight long years, has
given a single silver lining to the
political clouds which over hang
the Republic the OPPOSITION is pow
crless.
Let the people examine these two
pictures fairly drawn, and mcdi-
tate upon the lesson they teach. Do
they not teach the absolute mcces-
sity of thorough party organization,
on the part of the opposition? Is it
not clear, that party organization
is necessary, to combat purity organ
izatiOn? Can victory be won in any
other way? Away with platitudcS
and cheap hcroics! What the oppo-
sition want is organization and dis
cipline. The Democratic party is
the only organized party in the op-
position. Shall we unite with it,
or do worse?
After meditating more than week
the Memphis Avalanche replies to our
criticisms. Our article appeared on
the 9th, and the response of the Ava
lanche on the 18th. The reason for
this delay is apparent The Ava
lanche is unable or unwilling to ex-
plain its anomalous position with re-
gard to the municipal contest in Mem
phis, or to fairly and squarely answer
the questions we prOpounded in re-
gard to its political policy and aims.
We arraigned the Avalanche because
it heads the independent movement
in Tennessee, and because its recent
course throws light on the real mo-
tivCs of its embryo party. The
situation is this: The Avalanche,
non-partizan paper, bitter foe of
party conventions, opposes the cleo
ton, or fails to endorse Mai. j. j.
Busby, the nominee of a mass con-
vention for Mayor of Memphis. This
peoples movcment-this peoples can
didate has not the endorsement of
the Avalanche. This was strange,
and demanded explanation. But the
explanation has not been made We
submit that if mass, uon-partizan
convention of the people is not sutli-
cient to satisfy the independence of
the Avalanche, Is it not clear that the
independence of the Avalanche and its
satellites means simply, I'VE must die
tate, we must lead, or we will do our
best to upset the wagon. But enough
on this point.
In our criticism Of the 9th OF De
cember we propounded the following
questions to the independents. of
whom the Avalanche is the head
"What do they want? What are
the motives that inspire them? What
| do they aim to accomplish? What
| sacrifices ON the part of the Demo
| cratic Conservative party of Tennes-
see viii satisfy them? How far are
they sincere in their war on parties?"
These questions the Avalanche does
not answer The following high
sounding platitudes, a species of ar
gument with which the people Of this
section are suifeted, is all the effort
made by the Avalanche to meet them:
"For ourselves we want an honest
and thorough reform; starting with
| a new constitution, to which the lead
ers of the Democratic party under
| the present administration are oppos-
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