Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-01-29
The Wing and Tribune
For 1876.

ciples and policy have been sustained by
the people of Tennessee, starts out with
high hopes and high resolves. In review
ing the past we feel that we have reason
for REORGANIZATION, and that Ger
tain degree of pride on account Of the OBJ
stacles that we have overcome will be
permitted us. In the middle of the year
that has lately closed, for the second
/ time in two years, our Office was entirely
consumed by fire. 1t was at a period of
l universal depression in our monetary af-
fairs, and some of our best friends advis-
! ed us to let the name and memory of the
/ old banner perish in the dust and ash
/ es where it lastwent down. Had person
/ al considerations alone controlled us, we
/ might have yielded to what seemed a
hard and implacabIe fate. But we felt
! that the mission of the WING AND TRIB-
/ UNE was far from being cOmplete-that
/ its place iii thousands of homes in West
| Tennessee, and in other States to which
our kindred have emigrated in past years,
/ could not be supplied-and therefore, in
/ July last we resumed its publication
! Our friends came to the rescue promptly,
/ and ROW, after careful examination Of
/ our books we find that the trial sheet for
the last year is in our favor, and that
| there is no reason why we should not go
on our way rejoicing.
This, as our readers know, is our natal,
or Centennial year, and it must necessa-
rily be one of unusual interest to every
/ lover of his country here, and to every
/ friend Of republican institutions, no mat
/ ter where he may dwell For the 23rd
| time in cur history we will elect a Presi-
/ dent of the United States during this year.
/ While every rational mind hopes that
1876 may De fraught with blessings to the
/ American people, and siSnalized by the
/ complete restoration OF that fratcrnal
I feeling which cemented the union of our
/ ancestors, it is also evident that we are to
face dangers heretofore unknown in orr
/ history. We have, since the 18th Of July,
] l776, overcome foreign enemies on sea
and shore. We grappled with England
twice, and twice she left us to ourselves.
/ Since then we have carried our flag over
1 victorious fields to the Pacific OceaH.-
More than this we have survived the
shock and strain Of one of the saddest of
all recorded civil wars, but after all our
safety is not yet assured, and there are
many who fear that as 1876 marks the
birth of our liberties, it may also mark
their death. War is an accUrSed thing at
best, but the multitude is always embOdy-
ing principles, incarnatinS them in par
ticular men, and hence it is that nations
are always in their greatest peril after
I their greatest victories. The people of
the North, after having vanqUishcd the
lion of the Confederacy, are in danger of
covering before the wolves that have
gathered about the capitol. The cam
paign will beyond all question be the
most exciting that we have ever known
before, and in comparison with it the
/ great contests of 1904 will seem unim-
portant. The fight will be between the
people and their plunderers, between cit
liens and impudent soldiers, who forget
that they are only the paid police Of the
/ country, and who in their arrogance
/ darkly hint that the continuance of Amer
lean freedom depends upon the result of
the count of the ballots after the election
/ in November.
Already we catch glimpses Of the COM
ing struggle, and it is safe 10 assert that
/ the fires of sectional and religious hate
/ will not lack fuel. We again hear of Sc
I cret political associations, of grips, pass
/ words and the cabalistic fOoleries that are
/ likely to attract shallow and bigoted men.
/ The vast array of office holders are ready
+ to do the behest of any one that they may
/ deem available, and these, with the
/ church and the army, led on by the brig
/ adicrs and bishops, will give battle to
those Of the American people who have
! faith in the traditions of the past, and
/ who really believe that the Declaration
/ of independence, and the Constitution
/ that followed, are things worthy of res
pect.
In addition to the Importance of the
/ great struggle alluded to, we will elect in
/ Tennessee a Governor and Il Legislature
/ Upon the latter will devolve the election
/ of two United States Senators, and some
| definite settlement of the financial policy
/ of the State. Upon all such questions at
the proper time, the WIG AND TRIBUNE
will give utterance to its honest convic-
tions. In politics it viii be democratic
There are but two parties In this coun-
/ try. One is canOnized by traditions
that endear it to myraids of men whe
will not let it die. Its name cannot be
changed, nor can its principles be forgot
ten. We care nothing particularly for
the former, but the latter we would hold,
no matter under what banner we might
march. From year to year men who
claim TO be oracles, but who are better
fitted to keep museums, and show visi-
tors the bones of mastOdOns and other
antc-Jeluvian Curiosities tell us that this
party is about TO die, but we have lost
faith in these predictions, and so have
the people everywhere. We will act with
the democratic party until we find bet
ter one, which we do not expect to do
very soon, but ut the same time we re-
| spect the opinions Of all who differ from
Us, and in dealing with them shall never
subordinate the instincts of a gentleman
to the necessities of the mere politician.
The WING AND TRIBUNE will, as here
tofOr e, be rs far as possible an abstract
and chronicle of the times, and Will give
to its readers a correct idea every week
of all that is transporting in our midst
1t will, under all circumstances, be true
to Tennessee, for while we confess that
I OUr heart is warmed by the kindly intiu-
ences of the Centennial year, we do not
claim to love any portion of our country
as we do our own State. To say that
there is no North or South, or East or
West, to us seems strange. Its like say
ing that there are no homes and sweet
household faces that are not dearer than
all other homes and faces in the world
Come what may, we viii be true to our
own State, and in being so, we do not
feel as if we can possibly be false to any
other portion Of the Union.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION:
Single copy one year, in advance, 81 90
Clubs of ten, g each ~
Clubs of twenty, one year, each I 80
Address,
d. NJ. WISDOM & co,
Jackson Tenn