Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-27
CoNvENrI0Ns.


A private letter from a gentleman in
one of the Tennessee river counties-a
lifelong Democratic friend in this
city says: "The people here are gener-
ally for the old convention system of
determining the merits Of different as
pirants for Office" This sentiment is
gaining strength throughout the State.
The hue and cry against conventions
did prejudice great many Democrats
against that mode of settling contests
between aspirants in our party for Of
fee; but the sober second thought is
asserting its sway, and Democrats who
were thus prejudiced are beginning to
see that, under the circumstances, that
is about the fairest way we can settle
these contests. 1t rests with the peo-
pie to have conventions that Will fairly
reflect their viii. If they viii take
hold. of the matter in earnest, there
willbe little danger of packed con-
ventions. Every voter is interested in
having honest government and honest
men to administer it in all its depart
ments. and to secure this end they must
take hold of the matter in the prima-
~ meetings, and see that every thing is
fairly and honestly done there, and
that every Democrat has aVoice or
vote in shaping the action there taken.
When every Democrat thus interests
himself, when he acts at the proper
time and in the proper way, we shall
hear no more about packed conventions
and cutand dried nominations. Wheth-
er we have conventions or primary
elections, the fairness of the thing de-
ponds wholly upon the people. They
must take hold and control them, and
not leave them to be manipulated by
interested persons. The Jackson Wing
and Tribune has this sensible talk about
the duty Of the people in regard 20
conventions:
Men of business, men who labor IN
the shops and fields, men of independ-
emit means, too often neglect their du-
ties as good citizens In the matter of
selecting candidates for Office. They
listlessly say when approached upon
the subject, 4 have nothing to do with
politics. Iattend to my own affairs,
etc. This would all be well enough If
politics would have nothing to do with
such men, and if politicians did not in
terfere with them while they are seek
ing to manage their own affairs. But
after a while the merchant or mechanic
or farmer who Will not take the time
to 90 to a convention, or to vote IN an
election, is surprised to find that he has
an enormous tax bill to pay, or that
he has contributed to surrender
his State or municipal govern.
ment into the hands of utterly reckless
and irresponsible men. Politics used
to mean the discussion of the fugitive
slave law, and of slavery in the terri
tories, with dash Of glorifcatior
about the flag of the free hearts hope
and home and the valor of those who
bore it. Nowadays it means, taxation
debt, Reputation, bankruptcy, suspen
sion, tariffs, finances and all the ques
tions that bite deepest into men:
pockets and estates. No man is fit tc
represent us in our Legislature or IL
Congress who does not understand tina
his prime duty to his constituents Is Il
ende2vor to ascertain how taxation car
be most perfectly equalized, and how it
can be reduced TO the lowest possible
point, consistent with the preservation
Of the honor and dignity of the Stat
and national governments. "