Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-10
HARMONY IN THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY.
Winchester Home Journal

Although the Democratic party, In
November last, elected its candidate
by a majority Of nearly fifty thousand,
it must be remembered that the vote of
the Republican party fell very far be-
low the actual strength of that party
In this State. Gov. Browns majority
over Freeman two years ago was, IN
round numbers, only Is, 900 votes. Gov.
Porter's majority is nearly $4,000, and
yet he only received about 5000 more
votes than Gov. Brown. From the
vote IN the two elections, it is apparent
that the large majority Of Gov. Porter
is not made up by Republican votes in
favor OF our candidate, but the Demo-
cratic majority is attributable to the
fact that the Republican party, as a
party, refused to support their candi-
date for Governor because of his OBJ
noxious record on the Civil Rights"
bill. The number Of Republicans has
not, therefore, been diminished. They
are stil in our midst, and ready to
show their strength whenever a suit
able opportunity shall be presented.
Knowing, then, that the ranks OF the
enemy are unbroken, that none Of them
have given in their adhesion to the
Democratic party, it is the duty of all
who have the welfare of the country at
heart, and who would perpetuate our
party supremacy, to calmly, conscien-
tiously, and without prejudice, consider
the best means of making the Demo-
cratic party invineible for many years
to come. The leading Democrats Of
the North-in and out Of Congress
are earnestly laboring for union and
harmony in the party everywhere. If
the end Is accomplished, a brilliant
victory awaits US IL the next Presiden-
tial election. Unless prudence and
l9isdom guide US, and we cease to be
controlled by hate, passion and preju-
dice, defeat is sure TO follow. We
must, like true men, be R1dgRdRimOWS,
liberal and Just, and look alone to the
good of the whole country.
Now, with the view Of promoting har-
mony, in both the Wing and Demo-
traffic parties, prior to the war it was
the custom, rigidly adhered to, to d.
vide the State officers as nearly equal
between the three divisions Of the State
as possible, and the same rule has pre-
vailed since the war, though one division
has not had her full share. Since the
Democrats gained power, Middle Ten
nessee has had the Governor for four
years, the Comptroller four years, Uni
ted States Senator COOPER six years,
and Superintendent the Penitentiary
Gen. Battle, who was appointed over
Gen. Cheatham, from the date of his
appointment until his death. West
Tennessee has the Secretary of State
elected two years ago for the term Of
four years; she also has the Superin-
tendent of the State Prison,
and the Governor for the next
two years. and Attorney General
Of the State. East Tennessee Demo
Gratis have had but one Of these Offices
connected with the Executive Depart
ment-that of Treasurer-held by DR..
Morrow for four years past.
OF this custom we do not complain.
1t is right, and should be faithfully OBJ
served. 1t is an excellent means Of
preserving harmony IN the Democratic
party. The Democrats of the Middle
Division would never consent that East
and West Tennessee should have all
the officers; neither would those sec
tions of the State yield them to Middle
Tennessee. As the Democracy IN every
section of the State contributes labor
and votes in achieving victory, 30 the
party IN each section should be equally
rewarded; If possible. So long az
justice to our own friends is the rule of
action, the party viii be harmonious
and successful.
Very few Democrats, perhaps, agree
with each other upon every principle of
political economy, but the mass of the
party agree In reference to the essential
principles Of Democratic goUeTnment.
The people in these critical times agree
IN desiring that the G6Iest men IN the
party shall be elected to represent and
protect their interests in the counsels
Of the Government. They want men
of the purest integrity-who belong to
no fringe Will do everything in
their power TO curtail the extravagant
expenditures of government, both
State and national, and who will earn
estly labor to reduce the high rate of
taxation that has well nigh rendered
the people bankrupt.
Although our friends in East Ten
nessee have not received their proper
ton Of the emoluments during the last
four years, still, in the late election,
they were faithful. They polled a lar
ger vote, In proportion to population,
for Gov. Porter than the other sections
of the State, and the victory In the
First Congressional District was as
gratifying and brilliant as it was IN
expected.
Bearing in mind the wise custom
which has 80 long prevailed and been
acted upon in this State by all parties,
and remembering the number Of Offices
held by Democratic citizens Of the sew
eral grand divisions of the State, now
and for four years past, (such as Sens.
tor, Governor, Treasurer, Comptroller,
Secretary of State, etc.,)l we declare
frankly that we do not believe that
either Middle or West Tennessee is en- /
titled to the United States Senator
who is to be elected by the present
Legislature. Middle Tennessee now
has Democratic Senator; and never,
in the history of any party in this
State, were there two Senator's in Con-
gress at the same time belonging to
the same party, and who resided in the
same division of the State We do
not think West Tennessee should
claim the Senator, because she has the
Attorney General, Secretary of State,
State Prison Superintendent, and the
Governor elect. 1t should be remam-
bered by our western friends that they
claimed the Governor for the next two
years, and that In Difference to the Gus
tom referred to Judge Porter was
nominated.
East Tennessee now claims the SEN
atOr, Our friends In that quarter have
been tried and found to be faithful and
true. Let rs be just tOiCard them. By
so acting, and gracefully yielding the
Senator to the east, we unite the party
and make it more powerful than ever.
We have written this in the interest /
Of no aspirant-only for the good of
the whole party. But if East Tennes-
see can furnish a man whose talents
uould command the rezDpct Of the