The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-08-23
Our Duty as Democrats.
Nashville American

Nashville American.
Harmony is the watckword ofev-
cry true Democrat who values peace
and security and prosperity for the
South. This is no time for crimina-
ton and recriminations. Our State
is not only to be preserved from the
rule of party which has been weigh
ed both State and Federal admins
tration and found wanting. Such a
party containing the larger share of
the ignorant voters could not but be
corrupt. Such a party must afford
opportunity to the designing who
use the ignorant as their means to
power. We should reflect long be-
fore we allow any animosity, nay
personal jealousy, or any difference
of opinion upon policy or men, to
divert us from our plain duty to pre-
serve Tennessee from such rule. We
have tried that rule once, and ex-
perience taught us that it was unen-
durable. Sober Judgment will die
tate that we do not render it possi-
BILE again by our divisions.
There is every reason why we
should make this final contest for re-
form with an eye only to the main is
sue of wrestling the Federal Govern
ment from the hands of the corrupt
party in power. That is duty we
owe ourselves, our families and our
children. It will be criminal folly to
permit any minor issue to divert us
from that duty. Our prosperity, our
liberties and the purity of our Gov
ernnnent are at stake.
While we are aiming at the sue
cess of the national ticket we should
see that the State ticket receives due
attention. When we are just on the
eve of national victory for the De-
mocracy it would be suicidal in Ten
nessee to place herself outside Of the
pale. We should see that our Dem
ocratic majority ispreserved and our
State kept in line with the incoming
National Democracy.
It is true that the financial plank
of the platform is not acceptable to
all. There are differences of opin-
ion. We hope the Democratic party
will never be of so servile character
as to lose. the power to differ, dis
cuss and agree. A party which is
based upon free Democratic princi-
pies can never fail to have differ
ences of opinion, to be compose and
allayed by subordinating minor is
sues to the main line. Precedent to
all prosperity aud to all ability to
meet obligationr without at least an
appearance of hardship, is the re-
formin the government and retrench-
ment in its enormous expenses. With
renewed hope, returning prosperity
and an honest national policy the
State will fall into line and repudia-
ton Will be breathed no more in Ten
nessee. If there are any who think
the taxes should have been raised to
a higher figure, they have simply
failed to inform themselves as to the
determination of the people not to
have the burdens of taxation in
creased in this period of depression.
Practical craftsmanship is compelled
to accept results, and take not that
which should be, but that which is.
Without discussing the question Of
the States inability to pay more. it
is certain that there is a fixed deter
mination not TO go beyond the exist
ing rate. Those who believed that a
less rate should have been demand
ed in the platform, should bow as
true Democrats to the expressed
will of the party. A majority of its
wisest and best men have carefully
considered and settled the question.
All Democrats should bow to the ex-
pressed will Of the party and stand
aligned in close order on its plat
form of principles. The State Con-
vehtion is the highest court Of ap-
peal and its enunciations should re-
ceive the weight and credit due to
its high character. .....
In this struggle for the reforma-
tion Of the government, the inde-
pendent candidate must be regarded
as the enemy of his couutry's pros
perity-as one stirring up strife and
giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
1t is the duty of the people to see
that no disorganizer disturbs the
harmony of the Democratic party.
They should receive neither sanction
nor encouragement from any quarter.
Their efforts should be frowned upon.
AMI if they persist they should be
rebuked by the oyerpowering voice
of the people demanding organiza-
tion, harmony and discipline as es-
sential to the success of. the State
and nation. We feel confident that
the Democracy of Tennessee are too
keenly alive to the Importance of
preserving this State Government,
and the necessity for the success of
the national ticket, to allow any
wrangling, or to permit any question,
or any personal feeling of any kind,
to divert them from tho discharge Of
the daty they owe themselves and
those to come after them.
~ Lookout for counterfeit silver
dimes; there are also counterfeit
$500 bills which YOU not mind about.