Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-29


The Democracy is nothing, and ought
to be nothing, unless it be a, party of
principle. 1t is not. and should never
be mere Office getting. machine. The
moment it lapsls into the latter, it
loses all It's vitality and strength; the
very principles that it constantly
teaches, initiate against its success.
It's own doctrine that all power is de.
rived from the people will destroy any
ring or clique that attempts to rule it.
Its dogma Of local management of To-
cal affairs forbids any exercise Of Gen.
trailing tendencies within the party
itself, or in therule Of State or country.
Its constant denunciatiCn of monopo-
lies prevents it from strengthening its
lease o. power by any unboly alliances
with money or railroads or manufac-
lures against the people and their in
terests. Like theFederal Constitution,
from which its principles are imbibed,
the Democracy contains within itself
the checks and balances ON its own
power.
From these considerations, amply
supported as they are by the record OF
past success and defeat alike, it is evil
dent that principles are the sole
strength and reliance of the Democ-
racy before the people. Other parties
may gain power through devious ways
dark lantern lodges, loyal leagues
and negro cabals, or by direct and
barely disguised corruption. But the
Democracy itself foredcoms its own
defeat, when it depends on any doubt
full or secret expedients, such as may
not be laid bare before the public.
Claiming clean hands, it must be open
handed, that all may see. Claiming to
be the party of the people, it must
meet every issue affecting their inter
ests, or stand Substituted. 1t cannot
eyade or hedge round any living ques-
ton, no matter how anxious one or
another candidate might be to stand
non committal.
Therefore it Is, that its motto has
been always, measures before men
principles before persons. Looking
back over the misfortunes of late year:
even down to the pending county can
vass. all our troubles have arisen from
neglect of this motto. Our domesti,
quarrels have been over men MOI
measures. The sO-called ''independ
ents, " seeking election on Aug. 6, ar'
the latest Illustration. In all these dis
s.nsions there have been no difference
among us in regard to the practica
principles needed by the times. w,
have all been seeking the same 0bjec
tive results through the same means
and yet we have miserably fritterec
away our strength in contentious owe
mere men, from the lowest Office to tn,
highest, frequently allowing the RAD
cal jackal to steal the prize Will
Democratic lions were fighting eael
other.
Let us return with one accord to tn
old motto Of measures before men. l
will spare us a world of personal bit
tarness. Let US, like people who seel
to promote our own interests as a State
discuss measures only, treating mel
merely as the opponents and standard
bearers Of proposed measures. In TIN
way we Will have canvass resulting
, in something more than the promotio,
to place Of Smith or Jones. We doub
the policy of nominating any can
didate for the Legislature be
r fore the State Convention meet
= and defines the platform o
= which the canvass is to be cOnducte
! and the policy sought to be carried on
. in State affairs. The man now place
, upon the track might prove unrepr,
f sentative of the platform on which b
r would be expected to run. We can VI
>. derstand how, here and there, may
u an aspirant whose personal ambitio
might be promoted by hasty aetiol
We cannot understand, however, tn;
e any interest Of the people would |
: ieopardized in the least by delayin
1t the matter till after August l9, whe
n candidates representative Of our Pm
]: ciples can be chosen, with over tv
Y ,,o,,fbs loft for active canyassing.