Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-08
THE BoYERs LETTER.
A Frank Response from a Represent
l atiFe Democrat.
How to Secure Harmony and Make
Success Certain.

We have been permitted to copy the fol-
| lowing letter to Col. Thos. Boyers, editor
Of the GdlIdtin Examiner, from DR.. C. K.
Winston, of this city: - 81
Col. Thos. Boyers.-Dear Sir: Your
letter, published in the UNION AND AMER
lcAN of this date, should command uniyer-
sal attention. 1t has the ring of the true
! metal, not only because it is honest and
frank, but for the noble sentiments and
principles which it inculcates.
i was glad when 1 saw faithful old
Democrat like yourself in attendance upon
the Colyar conclaye. / felt that nothing
imprudent or Injurious would be done.
| You are perhaps a little tight upon
my lend Colyar, but he is
| forgiving man and will think none the
less Of you for it. He is man of fine
talent, public spirited, humane, Christian,
heartily desiring the welfare of all the
people, but, like most men of his tempera-
ment, rather too impulsive. He is, how
ever, always after the right, open to con-
viction, and ready to retract, when con-
WINGED of an error. He has by this time,
/ hope, learned that the scheme which he
proposed is impracticabie, and, if attempted,
would be ruinous. In order to attain sue
cess we must secure harmony.
No political party is worthy of respect or
support which is not founded upon princi-
pie. Nor can party be perpetuaGed with
out organization. Policy may change, but
principle never. The ideas, therefore, of
organizing for the coming election, either
for, or against the funding law, or educa-
ton or temperance, or any other mere
matter of policy, would be distinctive of
the end in view-the defeat of the Repub-
lican party. We should so organize as TO
secure the election of our best men to the
Legislature, and commit to their wisdom
all matters of legitimate legislation. This
can only be done by conventions Of dele
gates, chosen by the people. 1t is useless
to cry out against such conventions-no
party can exist without them. They may,
occasionally, do wrong, for which they
should be held respOsible, but not
abolished.
The Democratic party should then hold
county, district and State conventions, and
select candidates from their best men.
This being done, elect and send them to
the Legislature, committing to their hands
all matters of policy of whatever kind. We
should, in this way, secure such Legisla-
ture as would best subserve the honor and
Then let the Democratic Executive Com
mittee invite a conference OF our most sem
sible and judicious men, to be held at
Nashville at a day not distant, of
"Johnson men," sCheatham men," men
ignoring the past, who would consult upon
and advise the best policy to be pursued
under the anomalous and dangerous cir
cumstances in which We are now placed.
Let them do this, advising at the same
time hearty cooperation in whatever might
be thought to be best, however much it
might differ from individual judgment or
opinion. Such meeting would result in
a clearing up of the political skies, and the
State would start out on a career of unex-
ampled prosperity. We have all the ele-
ments necessary; it only remains for them
TO be judiciously utilized.
cannot close this communication with
out thanking you for the noble stand which
you take against repudiation-an infamous
word, suggested by the devil, and which
should be stricken from the vocabulary of
all languages. a child should never see
it, much less learn TO pronounce it. Hon
eSty should be the first principle not
only with man, but also with a State. A
State should pay as long as it can; when it
can pay no more, let il 90 into bankruptcy.
1t is admitted that the present taxation
is somewhat Onerous, but by judiciOus and
sensible legislation it may be greatly miti-
gated. 1t may or may not be best to re-
peal the funding law. In either case,
honest and capable men viii be able TO
show the propriety Of the course which
they may pursue. At any rate, all such
questions must, at last, be left to the judg-
ment of men who, having all the facts be-
fore them, would be likely to do what
would best subserve the public interest.
We can in no case hope for more.
As to a reconciliation of the johnson
and Cheatham men, that has already been
effected. / am familiar with the most
prominent and influential of them, and
know that, in the main, they are a unit
and are ready TO cooperate in any plan
which will secure harmony. Even if there
should be any lingering hard feeling, it
would cheerfully be banished for the sake
of the general good.
Hoping that we shall live to see speedily
brighter day, l remain, yours truly,
CHAs. K. WINSTON.