Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-20
ANOTHER CALL FROM THE CHAIR
MAN OF THE JOHNSON COMMIT
TEE.
ProoositiOiis for Democratic IIar.
mony; and New Method of Choosing n

PROPOSITIONS for Democratic IIar.
mony; and New Method Of Choosing n
senator.
NASHVILLE, March 10, 1S7l.-In answer
to nv suggestion for a meeting of confer
epce at Nashville about the LIST Of April,
made q short time since, have received
many communications approving the call,
but generally suggesting, in lieu, the first
of May.
Therefore in obedience to the wishes of
many correspondents, Shall nafiie the
first Tuesday in May next, and invite, not
only the conservative element Of the State
which dissented from the action OF the
Democratic Convention two years ago, but
ali who will for the time forego party
service, and take part in determining what
is best TO be done in reference to questions
of vital importance 10 the people Of tie
whole State.
As indicated by the correspondence, the
questions which will be considered are
/. Can taxes be reduced, and at the same
time the current expenses paid, with the
interest on the funded debt?
,: DO our productions Justify the hope of
intimate relief from the burdens imposed
by the funding bill.
3. What can be done by legislation, OF
otherwise, TO increase our productions, and
| add 70 our tsx-paying population?
Our deranged labor system, and constant
n duction of values, together with the uni
versal cry against high taxes, with the
balance in the account between emigration
and immigration largely in favor OF the
| former. there has arisen, rs was never seen
before iu this commonwealth, an imperi-
Gus necessity for putting m places OF pub
lie trust men who will combine with
craftsmanship, undoubted integrity and
business sense.
For great State like Tennessee, whose
valleys have producing capacity capable
of Ieeding ten times her present population,
and whose hills are the richest of treasures,
to waste her energies and put shackles on
the limbs of coming generations b. lever
ending political strife between two parties,
neither OF which las been able to restrain
its leaders when a bold proposition has
been made for common plumber, Is the sad
dest reality that progressive men haye. had
to contemplate.
As it is admitted that independence in
politics is not the road to individual sue
cess, it is not expected that aSpirants for
office will crowd the meeting in May. But
the cOarseness with which Independent &C
ton has been assaulted by strict partisans,
and the manner in which independent
thinkers have had their nearest friends
driven from them by the dreaded scOurge OF
party tyranny, make it now a matter Of
principle with them to maintain their indie
pendeiice at least to the point of preserving
self respect, and as 'the blood Of the mar
tyr is the seed Of the church," independent
action can alone in the end restore health
to the body polite.
The question in the near future, as in
the recent past, most likely to disturb Con-
servatiye and Democratic harmony, is the
election of a United States Senator. How
can the disgusting scenes Of log rolling and
illicit combinations, with the free use Of
money. which have been witnessed inmany
of the States. if not in Tennessee, be avert
ed, is question which viii be fully dis
cussed. As the Legislature electing Sen
atOr are the servants Of the people, it will
be proposed 20 let the people instruct the
Legislature, by each voter putting on his
ticket for the election for Governor and
members Of the General Assembly, the
name of his choice for Senator, so that the
Legislature when it meets will have the
benefit of knowing who is the choice of
the respective parties for that high office.
That this meeting may be made the
starting point for harmonious action, look
inc to the best interests Of the State, IL an
illusion, is one that viii not be dispelled
until the trial is fairly made.
Many of the first men in the State have
agreed to attend, and the spirit Of the
meeting. it is believed, will be for business
more than politics in any party sense.
The Independents or Conservatives OF
the State will, az this meeting, if 1t IS sui
ficiently representative in its character, de-
ternine what TO do in the approaching cleo
tiOns, and their action will be determined
by an intelligent investigation Of facts.
feel authorized b. the correspondence
to invite all who viii, for the time, to7eSo
party and look to the interests Of the whole
people, and to give assurance Of the greatest
latitude and most respectful consideration
of the views Of any gentleman, no matter
what party he may belong to.
4. 5. COLYAR.