Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-12
OUR LEGISLATURE ELECT.

Reverting TO home affairs from the
glorious victories elsewhere, it is not
too soon to remind the members elect
of Tennessee's next Legislature that
great things are expected at their hands.
OF no similar body since our emanci-
patton has such noble anticipations
been entertained. The reasons are OBJ
vious. The Legislature of 1868, elected
In the Stokes-Senter squabble, was not
a full or fair reflection of the popular
will We had to run In such men as
we could, between the contending fac
tions, taking up a Stokes man here,
and a Senter man there, and Demo-
crat elsewhere, If the coast seemed
clear. The Legislature of lS7l-72
ought to have been better, perhaps, and
more homogeneous, but the truth of
history compels us TO recall the fact
that it was elected in 1870 under threats
of Federal intervention, which fright
ened and hampered the people. Our
Republican Congressman were formally
and urgently pressing the Washington
authorities to remit Tennessee to the
horrors of reconstruction. They were
moving heaven and earth to regain, by
some Kellogg usurpation, the power
they had lost the year before. Elee-
tons held under such circumstances
can hardly be called free, nor recall in
the proper representation of the people.
The Legislature of 1873 ought certain
ly to have shown vast improvement,
but, unfortunately, large proportion
of its members were elected on purely
personal issues, on the one side and the
other, engandering animosities which
rendered the Democratic majority COM
paratiEely inefficient.
No such explanations can be offered
hereafter for any shortcomings of our
newly elected Legislature. The people
have taken unusual interest in politics
thisyear. With the exception Of troops
at Memphis, there has been no direct
threat of Federal interference.
We have felt free, and exer-
cised our freedom by re-
turning an overwhelming Democratic
majorities. The coming Legislature
will be the first really representative
and Democratic Assembly since the
war. During the canvass just closed,
the State administration has been Sc
verely criticised by friend and foe alike.
The State finances have been thorough
" discussed from every standpoint.
Yet so admirable has been the temper
of the people, that no resulting per-
Eonal grievances find place in the new
Legislature. The great preponderance
of Democratic membership is a sure
guarantee against any merely partisan
action. Strong in the popular heart,
our party can afford to be not only
Just, but generous.-S State affairs will
be freely discussed, without regard to
mere party supremacy: Members will
divide on questions of political econo-
my, industrial interests and general
legislation, without regard to mere par
tisanship. There will be no need for
any party lash. The people havespoken
on the main issues before us, in en-
dorsing the Democratic platform by
nearly $4,000 majority.
For these reasons, the people antici-
pate only sound and wholesome legis-
lation from the General Assembly.
Members should bear the fact in mind,
and prepare themselves by studying,
during the coming two months, the
great questions of State that will come
before them-taxation, finances, the
railroads, civil service economy, the
imp. ovement of our Judicial system,
education, immigration, and kindred
topics.
An additional incentive to well-do-
ing, is the fact that our new Legisla-
ture meets among the first after the
great Democratic revival. Through
twenty-four States we are now one
Democratic brotherhood. The eyes of
the country are upon us. The whole
party will be held responsible in
large degree for any false step made
by State so emphatically Democratic
as Tennessee. We have our part to
play in the national drama Our
course will be scrutinized by eager enc
mics. Prudence, moderation and firm
ness are the watch-words of the hour