Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-11-13
TEACHINGS OF THE ELECTIONS.


The elections just over, though not
so disastrous to the Democratic party
rs at first reported, teach no lesson
that should not lead the South to con-
slider how hopeless it is for her, by
taking an active part in federal pol
itics, to strive to restore the govern
ment to its original purity. 1t should
rejoice more over the victory in Mis-
sissippi than over similar triumph in
half dozen Northern States. because
the salvation of the entire South de-
ponds, first, upon its free exercise Of
the right of local self-government and,
second, upon its successful efforts to
develop its immense agricultural and
mineral resources-supplemented by
such diversified pursuits as will secure
Independence of every other community
for the prime accessories of life. Its
unquestionably the duty of the South
to send delegates to Congress whose in
tegrity will serve as shining example
to the mercenary members who look
upon the Office as private property, out
of which they have the right to make
the largest pecuniary profit. 1t should
elect representatives, too, whose pa
triotism and ability may have some in
fluence in checking the vandal raids Of
Radicalism upon the constitutional
privileges Of the citizens and the re-
served rights of the States. This
done, its active connection with feder-
al politics should cease, and its efforts
be directed to u wholesome develop
meat of those material, social, moral
and intellectual elements which, in
combination, make a people truly
prosperous and happy-honored abroad
for their wisdom and respected for
their integrity.
Ten years of bitter experience ought
to have taught the South that it has
nothing to hope from the North-its
patriotism, its wisdom, its justice, or
honesty. Its best citizens are in a
hopeless minority. Money is the god
of the majority. Votes are as mark
etable as wheat, and tens of thousands
Of mercenary voters-like the negroes
Of the South-value the right of suf-
frage in proportion to the price paid
for votes. The extent to which this
degradation prevails among the popu-
lace of the North, makes the dollar
almighty, and enables the dishonest
capita lists, monopolies and ring polite
ians to buy all The votes needed to
override whatever patriotism and in
tegrity may interpose in behalf of the
Constitution, the honor of the govern
ment ard the prosperity of the coun-
try.
During the continuance of this state
of things, which will result in comun-
ism, anarchy and bloodshed, what can
the South do? 1t can. by unity of
purpose, feeling aud action, take care
Of its own domestic interests, exercise
the demon of discord whenever it
seeks to disturb the harmony without
which our people will lose their oppOr-
tunity to escape, with least possible
injury, the consequences of the corrupt
misrule at the North. 1t can avoid
entangling party alliances outside Of
its own limits, it can define its own po-
litical creed, and hold itself ready to
cooperate with the party North that
may place itself in sympathy with that
creed. In the meantime, it can work
its mines, improve its agriculture, null
tiply its manufactures, educate the ris-
ing generation and prove by example
that public virtue and love of liberty
are not without an abiding place in this
God -forsaken Union. If the South
will give this direction to its energies
and ambition, it will raise itself higher
in the scale of wealth aud power, and
do more to restore the government to
its primitive purity and integrity than
by any amount of wraugling zeal for
federal politics. Its active sympathy
with Northern Democracy is natural,
but it is mischievous because il con
centrates upon that party all the ma
lignant hate and unprincipled opposi-
ton to which Radicalism has so long
subjected the South. The manifesto
ton Of that sympathy is the bloody
shirt waved by Southern hands and
therefore, more aggravating to the
ferocious instincts of the vicious mob.