Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-12-02
EEMPNIN APPEAL
MORNING, DEC. .. 1873.


Of eligibility before the Legislature, whose
choice is limited neither by present ten
ure nor by personal claims Of any sort
whatever, but may range through the
entire thropg Of sble men, and be con.
ferred upon whomsoever the legislature
in lis sound discretion or arbitrary
choice. may deem proper to elect. The
stately dignity Of the position always in
spires the ambition of the best talent o.
the State. Upon the Legislature Of Ten
nessee, which c0nvenes in Nashville
early in January next, devOlves the
nigh and responsible duty Of electing 9
United States senator, to succeed Gov
ernor Brownlow, whose term expires on
the fourth of March next. This will he
an important duty. The ablest and most
prominent men Of the State have already
announced themselves as candidates.
II is understood that others will enter
the contest, which will be full Of excite
ment. The question should be disposed
Of promptly st the time designated for
vote by the law Of congress, as it viii
interfere with other and important leg
islation. Without reference TO the as
piratious of any particular individual,
but in the public interest, aud with
view to preserve the unity and harmony
Of the Democratic party, we would
offer q few suggestions Tor the consider
alton Of the Democratic press and
members Of the Legislature. In the first
place, sll concede that the best attaina-
ble talent in the State-the man most
likely 10 serve the State with honor,
ability and usefulness in the senate
should be elected. Honesty, efficiency
and known cspscity, is what the people
Of Tennessee demand. A new era is
about to dawn upon the American
people, and in electing men to the ex-
allied position Of United States senator,
the broad question Of fitness and adapt
ability should be carefully considered.
The people of Tennessee should discuss
this question without reference to per-
sons. They are united in the opinion that
Tennessee needs, during the next six
years in the senate, the services Of.
her ablest representative talent-men
who will command the respect, conf
dence and consideration Of the senste;
men who are able as well as willing to
represent the State, in all its varied in
terests, and vino have the popularity to
secure the attention and assistance of
congress and the government in devel-
oping our great resources. The men,
bsrs Of the Legislature should unite on
the man who viii act for the best inter-
ests and reputation Of the State. How
10 secure and elect such a man, and st
the same time preserve the harmony Of
the Democratic party, is perplexing
problem. We see but one way, and
that is pointed out 10y the traditions Of
Tennessee politics and nearly every
State in the Union, and that way is for
the Democratic members OF the lcgisla-
fltre TO hold q caucus at az early day,
cmUass the claims Of all the aspiraats
nth malice to5gard none, justice to al,
nominate candidate, and then stand
By the cI,clS nomination, first, last, all
the time. This has been the general
custom in Tennessee for over thirty
years. Every State furnishes precedent.
In New York, Missouri, Michigan, New
jersey, ami in all the States where SEN
8tors are soon to be elected, mo opposition
is made to selecting the candidates by
the dominant party in a caucus Of the
members Of the legislature. Proiting
by the example: in other States, and
the harmonious workings of the caucus
system in Tennessee in former elections
for United States senators, we trust the
Democratic members Of our legislature
viii meet in caucus, compare notes, con-
sult the great interests OF the State, i'm I
weigh all sections and all as
lirants, and then select and infsxibly 7
adhere to the man vino in their ex- 4
pressed opinion will unite the party, re- I
iect honor upon the State, and give sat a
sfaction to the people. A general '
scramble will produce discord and aeri- f
noly that viii tell in the election two Z
'ears from now. A bitter personal con- n
est for the senatorship would exhibit a y
pirit very different from that Of the L
MOTTO; Everything for the csuse-noth- r
ng for men," We make these sugges- b
Ions TO the Democratic members Of fine
'ody on which the constitution devolves a
he duty Of electing Federal senators. +
iolely with the intent and desire Of pre- d
serving the integrity, unity and harmo- n
ny Of the Democracy Of Tennes- e
see, feeling well assured that a unit :
sd Legislature ON this delicate and I'm. v
'orlaat question viii give satisfaction I,
10 the Democracy Of the entire State. 8
and present the party organization in.
act two years hence. The fav ti,ou. o
sand Democratic majority in Tennessee
lid not prevent the party from meeting +
ID convention and nominating candi-
late for governor, and the large major {
ity in the legislature should not deter !
The party from adopting the same /
wise policy, by meeting in caucus OF
convention and uniting on candidate q
FOR senator.
The New York Herald, day or two 4
since, in an article on the possible con- ,
ierTing by the pope Of the title Of cardi-
pal upon Archbishop M'Closky, grew ,
very indignant over the fact that the ]
United States is rewarded onlva DO it.io,r..