Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-11
THE STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVEN.
From the Banner of Yesterday.

held Aug. IS, shall be a genuinely rep
resentative one-genuinely Democrat
&c, In the literal, rather than essentially
partisan acceptation, as to the equita-
bic order Of its deliberations, and the
unequivOcal enumeration Of sound prin-
ciples. This can be best assured by
the potent presence Of the rank and
file IN the primary meetings, and the
unmistakable assertion of the popular
will IN the choice of the delegates to
represent them in the convention.
If that convention Is not harmonious
If its enunciation Of the principles
which are TO govern the party IN the
campaign, and dictate the govern
mental policy, if victory follow, bellies
the true sentiments OF the majority of
those who propose to lock shields this
Summer under the Democratic stand
ard, it Will be because the viii of the
people is defeated by the more adroit
and less scrupulous tactics of the rings
which may endeavor TO shape things to
the furtherance Of private personal
schemes and ends. We think We can
discern already evidences of unhOly de-
signs upon the convention in cautiously
suggested programmes for the action
of certain combinations, the mo-
tive for which IS yet In conceal
ment. Combinations of self-cOnstitu-
ted captains may thus render necessary
the combination OF the rank and file, In
self protection. The convention can
not safely recognize other authority
than Its own. 1t must create its
own officials and reject the right of
control by virtue Of any apostolic sue
cessiOn- Is il an unreasonable yeaIn-
ing after theunattainable to cherish the
hope that the era of small politicians
may terminate with the preliminary
organization Of this convention? We
think not, If the Democratic party Is
true to itself. and will enforce its de-
mand that the majority shall rule, and
by Its action, reiterate the sovereignty
Of the people.
The permanency Of Democratic con-
troll IN Tennessee Is only to be assured
by its fidelity to principle as enuncia-
ted through the only medium authoriz-
I'd to speak for 1.-THE State Democra-
tic Convention. Their political adver-
saTies are divided among themselves,
and generally demoralized. Their only
hope Of success lies IN the bare posi-
b'lity that their Democratic opponents
may make some false step, and cOnse-
quently they VIII watch the deliberations
of this August Convention with no
small degree of interest. Sometimes
the odds are taken against fieet-fOoted
the possibility that he may stumble OF
fall down. This Is about the
situation Of the so-called Re
publican party in Tennessee
1t has everything to gain and very lit.
tie to lose, if its heeter competitor cast
a carelessly adjusted shoe or be over
iockeyed from theseBd off. While the
Republican party Is made up 0f Incon-
gruous material with conflicting inter
ests of place and race, it has neverthe-
less quite n number Of discreet and
long-headed counsellOrs, and the Dem
ocrats may be assured they are not
asleep. though they lie motioRless as
,rOcodiles upon the sands Of time.
Thor only material advantage Is IN
having their competitors in the lead. "
1t IS not so much what they may be
enabled to DO themselves as what their
antagonists may leave undUne, that
they hang their hopes upon. If
the record of one party Is vul-
nerable - so Is that Of the
other. The Democratic party. there
fore. cannot hope to succeed mainly up
on the dement's Of its competitor. Thou
must pluck the beam from thine own
eve, our good Democratic brother, and
permit the mote to obscure the Repub-
lean optic until thine own salvation'is
secured beyond peradventure. know
thyself," is a safe maxim for these
times of political uncertainty and
capricious public opinion. Act well
your part, their all the honor lies Is
another trite and homely maxim, as
well worthy the careful con-
sid,ration Of the Democratic Con-
vention and its platform con-
structors. To win and retain the
confidence Of the people, the Demo-
cratic party must enunclate tiriRg
principles and practical craftsmanship.
1t must realize the present financial
condition Of the people and prove itself
equal to the emergency, without regard
to the past or the personal concerns of
the rulers of a past regime. 1t has to
do with tO-day-nOt yesterday. Unjust
keep step with the quickened spirit Of
the times, and not march with tImid
and hesitating tread TO the measured
mjScrere of the dead past.
THERE'S no good reason why the
Democratic convention should not name
the next Governor of Tennessee. and
present a declared policy which viii IN
sure a working, controlling majority IN
the next Legislature. The imaginary
divisions Of two years ago were not
permanent. unless the inherent spirit
OF mischief. and rule or ruin, still finds
abiding place IN the breasts Of ambi-
tious and unscrupulous leaders, and If
this be so they must be watched and
rendered powerless for evil IN
time. Rings and combinations
must be distrusted. The private
schemes and unholy ambitions of in
diviauals if permitted TO gain the as
tendency, may lay the Democratic en-
campment at the mercy Of the Phiiis-
tines, who will march IN and take pos
session. If the deliberations of this
convention donot give unmistkaable as
surance OF the termination Of the era
of small politicians, then the minority
of the Democratic census IN November
will be a matter Of no very difficult
mathematical calculation. Despite
all precautions, there viii tie
enough Of the order Of scrub poll
ticians, self-injected into the con-
vention to produce confusion, unless
quietly. calmly, but acknowledgements
ed by common sense. Fools rush IN
where angels fear t. tread, hut let us
hope the angels viii throw of their re-
serve. 1t least III the primary meesngs,
and prevent the State Convention from
heroic doses of this conventional intilc-
tion. Give brains and patriotism a
fair show, and the rank ana Ele, whom
We desire Il sustain, viii abide the de-
cisian Of ,hc convention, and stand
square up t. its platform-V hoResl
an '.Hs.
Il takes sixty furtune-telleTs 10 keep tie
Chicago folks comfortably swindlcd.