Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-08-20
STATE CONSERVATIVE CONVENTION


STATE CONSERVATIVE CONVENTION.
Yesterday representatives from every
county in the State assembled at Nash
vile fer the purpose o. nominating a
candidate for the Office Of Governor and
adopting party platform broad enough
for all ant;-Radicals, such as Democrats,
Conservatives aud Independents to stand
upon. In advance of the Convention it
was announced by contemporary that
nothing but an avowed declaration Of
Democracy of the strietest type would
do for a platform. These were whirling
words, but the good sense of the dele
gates attending the Gubernatorial Con-
vention prevented the folly of driving out
from the party tie twenty thousand Union
men of Tennessee who abhor the civil
rights programme. or the thousands of
others who were Wings or who were
not Democrats in strict party sense.
The Bartlett movement in Shelby county
was heralded as an omen of success
throughout the State, and this liberal
movement bore ripe fruits in the Coz
vention of yesterday. The platform
adopted is as follows:
The representatives OF the Democratic
and Conservative party of Tennessee, in
convention assembled, most cordially
invite all good and true men, who desire
to increase the prosperity of the people
of the State and preserve her honor I'M
furnished, to unite with US 10 carrying
out the following principles, to-wit:
l. That all honest labor should be
protected and receive its just reward.
2. That the burdens Of government
should be borne by the whole property
of the country; that all assessments of
taxes should be equal, uniform and just,
and no improper discrimination should
be made against any species of property
3. That VIC favor strict construction
of the Constitution of the United States,
and insist that no power should be exer-
cised by the General Government that is
not clearly delegated or clearly imputed
in the necessary exercise of the power
so delegated.
4. That we oppose all monopolies.
rings and combinations formed for the
oppression of the people; that we are
for the abolition Of. all useless and I'M
necessary Offices, for the proper reduc-
tion OF all excessive salaries, for the
most rigid economy in the administra-
ton Of the State Government, for all
necessary reforms in law so as to make
its execution speedy, just and certain;
that we will hold the collectors OF reye-
nue. TO strict accountability 10 their
collection and appropriation Of said
revenue; that we deplore the existence
OF all Indebtedness, Federal, State,
county and municipal, and demand
that no more taxes shall be levied upon
the people than shall be found to be es
sentlally necessary for the support Of
the State Government, administered on
principles Of the most rigid economy
and for the payment Of its just debts
and obligations, and the preservation Of
It's credit and honor untarnished. and
are therefore opposed TO an increase Of
taxation.
0. That we favor the abolition Of the
present od;cus national banking system
ana tne payment Of the bonds Of the
HoVern ment by the issuance Of its non
interest bearing notes according TO the
contract expressed and implied at the
time OF the creation Of such obligations
and repeal OF the present Oppressive
Federal tariff, and the enactment ~
law solely with a view Of raising ,bs
necessary revenue; that We denonnce iii
legislation that seeks 70 interfsra v,;,h
the individual rights of cidzens his own
associates, and particularly what l.
known as the supplemental civil rights
bill pending before the Federal Congress
as palpable violation Of the Cons,;,n'
tion, intended TO vex, barrass, opp,sss
and degrade the people Of the Southern
States, and the production Of untold
social and political evils to both races
and which we should resist BY all legal
and constitutional means in our power
1t will be seen that the platform il
terse but significant, covering all the
ground neeessary-favoring preserving
the State honor untarnished, low rate Of
taxation, strict construction Of the Con.
sitution of the United States as to
powers not specially delegated; that the
WorkinRman shall receive full reward for
his labors; opposes all monopolies and
ring combinations favors the abolish.
ment Of useless Offices; opposes the
present odious style Of National bank.
ing system and the infamous civil rights
bill. All this, it viii be discovered, was
announced as the platform Of the party
by the representatives OF the Demo.
cratic and Conservative people Of
Tennessee in Convention assembled.
This is broad and liberal enough for all
anti-Rsdicals to stand upon, no exclusive