Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-03-07

of the elections in this State in 1872,
have shown us that organization is
necessary to the success of the Demo
cratic party. It has shown fhata we'll
organized minority can defeat major
lty when torn with internal dissensions.
There can be no doubt that the Demo-
cratic party were in the majority in
this State in 1872 and are now, and
can still place men of their choice in
Office, if they can but work together,
forgetting and forgiving the past. and
locking their shields and marching in
solid phalanx to the difficulties of the
future. We lost in ~ our most i'm
portant Offices by folly; but we have
had our fight, and both sections of our
party were defeated, and now we can
but collect our scattered forces and
with the wisdom acquired by painful
experience guard against similar de-
feat. This is no time for brooding
over the bitterness of the past; it is
gone and we cannot recall or control
it. We have no feelings of enmity for
those who supported Andrew johnson
in the congressional campaign, nor do
we quarrel with those whose opinions
as to the policy or impolicy of our man
ner of organization differed from ours !;
but we desire to forget the feelings en-
gendered by that strife and avoid all
chance of a recurrence of it in the
future.
If we will but heed the lesson taught,
that defeat may be made the founda-
ton of our future prosperity, and
crown our future efforts with more
lasting success. The great danger to
be feared in party prosperity is the
apathy and dissensions of the success
full party. There will be many candi-
dates for each Office to be filled at the
elections in November. Each has his
supporters-each thinks he is the man,
and that the others should retire and
give him clear field and none will do
it. Tennessee has at least dozen as
pirants for the Gubernatorial chair
many are looking to Washington City
as the place most fit for them. Ifthey
remain in the field, none will be elect
ed and Radical rule will once more
hold its corrupt sway in our State.
The Democratic party does not poll
double the number of votes, in this
State, that the Republicans do; then,
if two Democratic candidates are in
the field, a Republican will be elected,
for they never have but one candidate
for single Office. But if we have one
man only for each place, acknowledged
by all as the Democratic candidate
and unite On him, there is no doubt OF
success. And to place our man in the
field, organization is necessary. And
the question of importance to US is,
how are we to obtain it, and it is time
measures were being discussed.
The convention system has its faults,
at least many have faults to find with
it, and | do not believe that we can get
an unity of action by that means, and
[ suggest that primary election be
held, at the election in August for the
county officers, to decide who shall be
the candidates at the November elec-
tion for Governor, for Congress, and
the State Legislature. In this way
every voter can have a voice in choos-
ing Representative for these offices,
and the one receiving the majority Of
the votes cast be the candidate, and
let the others retire, having submitted
their claims to the people and been
beaten. In this way, believe all can
be satisfied and success insured. There
is no chance then for any ring" . to
control. but the ring composed of the
whole party. A Governor. Congress.
men and State Representatives are tc
be elected in November, and all are
anxious that men of ability and integ.
rity and whom We can trust, shall rep.
resent US in these important offices.
make this suggestion in order to get
the views of the public on the subject
and call the attention of the people to
the necessity of harmonious action
Let the matter be discussed. If the
plan suggested will not answer the
purposes we desire, let some Other
method, which will insure it, be sug
gested and let US adopt it. What We
want is single candidate for each
Office and the hearty support of the
whole people, and whatever will insure
that should be done.
A VOTER.