Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-11-27
ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE.

1
convention to nominate city officers is
that it will preclude the possibility oil
any coterie handling the lever of the
political machine in its own interest. II
cabals, and put into those Of the people
what belongs to the people. Politically
speaking, there are but two parties, and
these ramiiy and permeate all political
positions from the Presidential chair
down. 1t is not considered wrong in
the Republicans to make municipal
fights, IS they have lately done in va
rious cities where they caught the DEM
ocrsts mapping under the soporific intlu-
ence of sneering Independent journals,
and conquer in those outpost skirmishes,
80 it were, thus bringing prestige and
strength to their party, On no! it is ali
right for the Republicans to do that. It
only becomes laughable, absurd or GRIM
inal when the Democrats attempt it.
For seven years the Democratic party
has been fighting against great odds
down here in those States, with the sole
object of redeeming the people from q
regime Of organized pillage carried on
by the Republicans. Through the efforts
of that party, Increasingly put forth, one
State after another has been disen-
thrslled, and q period put to pillsge.
All the responsibility of the south
belongs 10 that party. Nearly all the
wealth and intelligence in Memphis be-
long to it. All the wealth and intelligence
of those who trade with us belong to
it. 1t Is strange, if out of the body Of the
wealth and intelligence of the people Of
ficers cannot be chosen to rule the city
without violating the eternally fiuctu.
sting principles Of expediency and Of
Tending the old fraud compromise.
What have the Democrats got to COM
promise? with whom? for what pur-
pose? to what end? Cti bOno9 Radi-
calism in this city finds its cohesive nu-
cIeus in Federal patronage. 1t has not
the respectability Of numbers, of wealth
or of talent; it stands in an attitude of
hostility to the wishes of the great body
Of the citizens. 1t has no power Of itself.
With what, then, are we TO compro-
mise? 1t is grossly offensive to ask the
Democracy to waive their right of elect
ing good men from their own party, in
favor Of some respectable person of the
Radical wing, just to please about ten
soreheads who find Judgment in our
midst. The party machinery is called
into requisition in Memphis not because
it is feared that Radical has the power
in his ranks to be elected, but to harmo-
nize all the elements of our own, and to
secure the nomination of the best men
the city affords for the positions to be
made vacant in January. The bulk of
the enthusiastic young Democracy want
to have their say in the proceedings.
They are jealous of their privileges, and
will not allow ten ''dogesn to monopo-
lie the business of nominating. They
argue with strong show of rea-
son that ten or twenty self con- |
tituted representatives have no right |
nor power to speak for the Democracy
no more than the celebrated Tooley- |
street tailors had to speak for the people |
OF England. Objection is raised to a |
mass.cOnvention because of its unwieldy |
and noisy character, and because it is
contended that the boldest, most violent |
and loud-mouthed would have undue
power in such a gathering. Looking
over the whole field of possible plans
by which the real sentiments of
the people may be drawn out respecting
the most suitable man to run for mayor,
there is none that commends itself at
once to the good judgment and sound
sense of the people as strongly and con-
clusively as the time-honored one of
primary elections and subsequent joint
The absurdities of "a free
fght," are so palpable that it would
'eem almost unnecessary to dwell upon
hem. In free contest we can have no
guarantee that half dozen men would
rot run, and that the least popular and
he least fit would not be elected. By
having recourse to the system of prima-
les, We aim at keeping up the efficiency,
prestige and strength Of the Democratic
party. We aim at eiecting the best men
@ be found for the Office, and of electing
he besG Democrats. Every advantage
brings strength and glory to the great
I'D party, and it needs il all. We would
lot be content with electing our men by
| mere shave. We would rejoice to see
he whole vote of the city cast solid for
he Democratic nominees. We must
preserve our unity and our strength. A
United struggle redeemed Mississippi.
Unanimous effort will save Memphis
rem the disgrace that has befallen
and from which Chattanooga |
a 1. ~