Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-07
RUTHERFORD COUNTY.

The People Determine 90 Organize
A Mass-Meeting CaIled-The Recent
Candidates Meeting and the Pro-
posed Primary Election.
To the Union and American:
MURFREEsBoRO, March 5.--Last Mon
day the Democratic ard Conservative
voters of this county took preliminary
stees TO effect an organization of the oppo-
nents of Radicalism, for the approaching
political campaign. The Democratic can
didates for the various county offices met
in the courthouse, and after free and full
discussion, agreed to submit their claims
directly 10 the people at a primary election
to be held on the first Saturday in May
next. The MAGISTRATES and constables
were requested to hold said election. This
election is to be held without the interven-
ton of any party machinery whatever, as
It IS desired TO leave the people free TO vote
for such candidates as they choose for NOM
inees. The question came mp as to the adj
visibility Of permitting all voters to partic-
pate in said election, and
The prevailing opinion was that inasmuch
as all the candidates are Democrats, and
therefore none but Democrats can possibly
be nominated, there should be no restric-
ton and that the canvass for the primary
election be conducted in the same manner
rs for regular election. Again, it would
be impossible for judges Of elections to tell
who are Democrats and who are not, as
those who have before voted the Republican
ticket may have become new converts to-
Democracy. Besides the most extreme
Radical could represent himself at the polls
as a Democrat and judges could not refuse
his vote. Then again, Il is deemed the
true policy for the Democracy to pursue a
conciliatory course towards colored voters.
If they are denied the privilege Of voting at
a primary election, they will be likely to
refuse TO vote the ticket at the regular cleo
ton. The material interests of Democrats
and the colored people-as employer and
emplOye-are very nearly identical, and
there is no reason why they should hold an
tagonistic political views.
But while it is deemed unadvisable and
unnecessary to apply the party machinery
in making nominations for county offices,
the Democratic masses of our county fully
recognize the importance and necessity of
effecting an organization for the purpose of
successfully prosecuting the canvass. They
therefore have called for mass convention
on the first Monday in April next, for the
purpose of organizing all the elements OPP
posed to Republicanism into one harmO-
NOUS party. 1t is to be hoped that wise
counsels viii prevail at this mass meeting,
and that party will be organized upon
platform of principles that will command
the respect and support of all friends of
good government. A notable fact, and a
hopeful one too, is that the so-called lead
ers are disposed to remain in the back
ground, and not to thrust themselves for
ward with their ill-advised cOunsels, as
heretofore. The people will not brook such
on their part in The coming
canvass. Our county, like many others in
the State, cannot afford to run any risks.
The vote is so close that little disaffection
may turn the scale against us. But with
harmonious and well organized party, the
success of our ticket is certain.
RUTHERFORD.