Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-08-19
Our Duty as Democrats.

Harmony is the watchword of every
true Democrat who values peace and
security and prosperity for the South.
This is no time for elimination and re-
ordinations. Our State is not only to
be preserved from the rule of a party
which has been weighed both IN State
and Federal administration and found
wanting. Such party containing the
larger share of the ignorant voters
could not but be corrupt. Such party
must afford opportunity to the design
ingwho use the ignorant as their means
to power. We should reflect long be-
fore we allow any animosity, any per-
sonal jealousy, or any difference of
opinion upon policy or men, to divert
US from our plain duty to preserve
Tennessee from such rule. We have
tried that rule once, and experience
taught us that it was uncomfortable.
Sober Judgment will dictate that we do
not render it possible again by our own
! divisions.
There is every reason why we should
make this final contest for reform with
an eye only to the main issue of wrest-
ing the Federal Government from the
hands of the corrupt party in power.
That is duty we owe ourselves, our
families and our children. 1t will be
criminal folly to permit any minor issue
to divert us from that duty. Our
prosperity, our liberties and the purity
of our Government are at stake.
While we are aiming at the success
of the national ticket we should see
that the State ticket receives due at
tention. When we are just on the eve |
of national victory for the Democracy |
it would be suicidal in Tennessee to |
place herself outside of the pale. We
should see that our Democratic ma
jority is preserved and our State kept |
in line with the incoming National De-
mocracy.
1t is true that the financial plank of
the platform is not acceptable to all.
There are differences of opinion. We
hope the Democratic party will never
be of so servile character as to lose
the power to differ, discuss and agree.
A party which is based upon free
democratic principles can never fail to
be composed and allayed by subordi-
mating minor Issues to the main line.
Precedent to all prosperity aud to all
ability to meet obligations without at
least an appearance of hardship, is the
reform in the government aud re-
trenchment in its enormous expenses.
With renewed hope, returning pros
perity and an honest policy the State
will fall into line and reputation will
be breathed no more in Tennessee. 1T
there are any who think the taxes
should have been raised to a higher
figure, they have simply failed to in
form themselves as to the determina-
ton of the people not to have the
burdens of taxation increased in this
period of depression. Practical states
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 fixed
not to 90 beyond the
existing rate. Those who believed
that less rate should have been de-
manded 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
and settled the question.
All Democrats should bow to the ex-
pressed will of the party and stand
aligned in close order on its platform of
principles. The State Convention is
the highest court of appeal and Its
should receive the weight
and credit due to its high character.
In this struggle for the refor-
nation of the government, the lnde-
pendent candidate must be regarded
as the enemy of his country's prosper
ity-as one stirring up strife and Civ
ing aid and comfort to the enemy. 1t
is the duty of the people to see that no
disturbs the harmony Of
the Democratic party. They should re-
ceive neither sanction nor encourage
ment from any quarter. Their efforts
should be frowned upon, aud If they
persist they should be rebuked by the
voice of the people de-
organization, harmony and
discipline essential to the success of
the State and nation. We feel conf
dent 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
or to permit any question,
or any personal feeling of any kind, TO
divert them from the discharge of the
duty they owe themselves and those to
come after them.-Ndshpilte Ameri-
can.