Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-03-17
From the Washington Chronicle
The H'r-uE,h aud weakness of the
Nepu IicRn ParIy


One Of the fret objects of a prudent
general, before engaging ~ battle, is
to ascertain M nearly as possible the
condition aud capacity of the rneuy's
! forces, aud to inform himself with
scrupulous care rs TO tn" strong and
weak points IN his own coWmsnd. II
defects are found, the first object aud
effort will be tu remove them. A
similar course is equally necessary in
political organizations, In these, es-
| peCially, numbers are hot always
guarantee of superior strength. A
political party divided in sentiment
and action may easily be defeated in II
general contest ut the balloI-hOx by an
opponent fewer in numbers, but more
united in purpose and effort.
In view of the approaching Presl-
dental contest and general Congress
siOnal and State elections, the Repub-
lican party has now arrived at IA period
| when the most thorough survey OF the
working condition of it, forces should
he made, aud whenever defects are
discovered they should he immediate
ly removed. That the party has, ever
since its Organization, numbered III its
ranks a majority Of the voting pOpu-
lation will he conceded even by the
Opposition, whose chances of success
at the polls at each election since 1860
has depended on divisions IN the party
in power. Democratic gains in the
last Congressional elections were de-
rived mainly if not wholly from this
source. On the same grounds they
are now predicting Presidential aud
Congressional victory in 1876. VIII
their expectations be realized? The
solution of this problem lies wholly
in the course the Republican party
may pursue in its preparation for the
campaign.
The strength of the party in power
lies primarily in its numbers. United
it can again swtepthe country a. II did
in 1872 But It's numerical quality
may be productive of weakness, rs in
the case of the last congressional cleo
tons. A knowledge of superior num-
bers is too apt to produce undue conf
, dence, which leads directly to inditfer-
: ence and apathy, while the Opposi-
! ton, feeling their weak ness, leave no
stones unturned in their efforts to
bring out at each election their entire
: force.
If the Republican party has not
made up its mind to let the ensuing
/ Presidential and other elections 90 10y
= default, it is not too soon now to com
5 mence those preliminary arrange
= ments which are absolutely essential
to secure full vote.
: But there is another source of weak
D ness in the party now mauifesting it.
I self, which, If not checked immediate.
= lv, can not fail to lead to disastrous re-
: suits. We refer to al iunrdiuate am.
bition for Office. 1t is an internal
danger tnat usually munllests itself a
some period in party organizations
whose members, as in the present case
are largely in excess of those of the
;, Opposition. individuals with com
+ paratively limited political strength
I imagine that in the aggregate excess o
Il numbers in the party they can, with
4 the support of personal friends, secur,
: a majority vote. AT least they viii
!, make the venture. III this way the
i aspirants to each position, from that o
4 Chief Magistrate down to State legis
;. lators, multiply. On nomination day
% two or more candidates for the SANE
e position are frequently put forward
: who backed by Il few friends, are de
c termined to run at all hazards. Eacl
= has his supporters neither faction
+ will yield; and party split is th'
. result.
: In the coming campaign the sue
d cessful party will cautiously avoid thiI
!, fatal source of defeat. AS publ,
& journalist we urge our friends, person
: al and political, to rise above all selfisl
:, aspirations, and in an honorable spiri
of self-abnegation, strive, patriotlcal
Il ly, to promote the general good of tn,
r country by winning Republican sue
u cess.
o We can have but one President
!, and that man should be the choice o
= a united party, nominated on tn,
- ground of his peculiar fitness to crap
:; pie successfully with the great issue
Il now pending. This necessity for uni
e ty of purpose and action applies will
h equal force in the selection of Congress
n men and members of the state Legis
Il latures. The interests of the couutr,
;, now require theeXperience, judgment
and integrity of its ablest and bes
u statesmen, aud il devolves upon tn
a people to be guided by the creates
x prudence in selecting their public ser
= wants; and when they have made thei
nominations the highest duty the,
u owe and can perform for their countr.
D is to make long, strong, and unitet
e effort for success at the b4llOt-bOX.
e In the present condition of the coun
r. try the policy of the Republican ad
/ ministration can not be changed with
:, out resulting in serious injury to tn
q Government, the industrial interest.
ID the public credit at home and abroad
L and to the progress of reconstruction
re and the education and moral elevation
III of the freedmen. Under a change {
u administration much that has been &C
.e complished would be undone. Thi
er will not do. The work must go OF
&c The mission of the Republican organ
lie ization is not yet completed. In tn
B. result of the elections of 1876 are in
., volved great ana grave public issue
' Shall patriotism prevail over persons
&c ambition
G.