Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-15

state, that the committee have deter
mined not to call a convention this
year. This must be a mistake, as there
has been no meeting of the Executive
Committee since 1872, and surely such
a resolve by the committee would not
be determined upon without due con-
sideration and mature deiberation in
full committee. Besides this, there are
too many good Democrats on the COM
mittee for It to be the instrument Of
destruction Of the Democratic party.
However, should Col. Murray be cor
rect, the Democrats of the State should
know it at once, and then steps viii be
taken to hold a State Convention
Memphis Register.
A similar construction of the state
ment by the Sparta Inder has found its
way into several other exchanges. On
April 3, we published the item with
some comments from the MeMinnviIle
Net0 Era, published at Col. Murray's
county seat, embOdying the following,
which seemed to have the authority of
that gentleman:
1.-THE suggestion to the members by
Col. Murray was simply wish to avoid
the semblance of dictation to the
people, and leave them free to act as
they think best and demand from the
committee such action as would best
subserve the interest of the party.
We are authorized to say that no such
action has been reached as that indi-
Gated by the LRder, nor did Col. Muir
ray intend that his conversation should
create such an impression"
This statement, copied by us nearly
two weeks ago, seems to have escaped
the Memphis Register and others. The
Sparta Inder just to hand takes its
McMinnville contemporary to task for
its inappropriate heading to the ar
ticle-No State Convention-and de-
clares unequivocally in favor of hold
ing such a convention. In first allud-
ing to the subject on the Sd inst, we
expressed our qualification that this
subject is receiving attention. Of
course, as there has been no meeting
Of the State Committee, there can be
no authoritative announcement of their
views. Even the chairman, if he were
consulted, could only give his individ-
ual opinion. We can readily under
stand how the committee are slow to
act thus early, while the work Of pri-
mary organization for the earlier
elections of August, is still
IN its incipiency in most
of the counties. Yet the subject be-
longs to the people and the papers to
discuss, and thus the committee will be
the better enabled to respond to the
public wishes. The Brownsville States
is of opinion that the committee should
hold a meeting without further delay,
and set the time for the State Conven-
ton; treating the rumor of non-action
as - premature and abortive effort to
manufacture public opinion against
| such a STEP The Memphis Registers also
thinks sit is time a convention was
being called" On the other hand, the
Sparta Index thinks "the State Con-
vention should not be held until after
the August election for county officers"
This is u opinion also. 1t will be re
membered that the State Convention
which nominated C~heathamin 1872 was
held as late as Aug. q. We have
never heard the misfortunes of that
campaign attributed to the lateness of
the Convention, nor that an earlier
holding would have secured more har-
mony. Thatyea there were no full
county elections as now, and we think
it Will be more for the promotion OF
good local government to keep the two
| canvasses distinct. The spirit of the
people, as manifested IN August, viii
be an important element In casting the
horoscope for success in November
The people will understand themselves
better, and appreciate better the ad-
vantages as well as the difficulties of
the situation. Therefore we think the
State Convention should not be held
earlier than August OF September. We
write without opportunity for con.
sultation with any member Of
the Committee, giving our reasons
for our opinion. As to when the Com
mittee should meet or make the
call, we have no DON to doubt but am
pie time for due notice, throughout ev.
cry county IN the State, will be given
At the same time, the apparent delay
of the Committee may be occasioned by
a natural desire for the people to man.
fest their wishes more fully. We pre-
sumo two months notice would be am.
pie to secure a full and proper repre-,
sentation. If so, the Committee will be
more likely to understand the popular
will on the subject some time Ill
June say, than they possibly could at
present. The matter has not received
enough discussion, and it is not Demo,
cratic usage to forestall discussion by
decision. If any feel impatient at the
delay of the Executive Committee, LET
them remember the duty of that Com.
mittee is not to dictate, but merely tC
| execute the will of the Democracy.
a STRONG pressure has been brought
to bear upon Grant to induce him to
veto the imitation bill if it shall be
passed by Congress, as seems alto
gether probable. The New York Ma.
ton, a Republican journal, expresses
the opinion that he is committed in
advance to signing the Senate initiation