Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-25
TENNESSEE IN THE ST. LOUIS CON-
VRNTION.

held at Tammany Hall, New York,
in 1858, when Seymour and Blair
were nominated. Tennessee was
ably represented then, although one
hundred thousand Of her best citi-
zens were under the ban of disfran-
chisement. We can but look back
over this long, eventful span of
eight years with pride, when we re-
call the representation that TenneS-
see had in that convention and the
conspicuousposition accorded to her
as a disfranchised and downtrodden
State. The protest delivered on
that occasion against the wrongs
and expressions of Tennessee by
one of her most gifted sons will
ever be remembered by those who
heard it. The delegation was a
roll of worthy names-illustrious
for valor on the field, elo-
quence in the forum, and learning,
wisdom and dignity on the bench.
Some Of them have passed away,
but the record of their virtues is
an heirloom to ~posterity, and their
honorable deeds are a part of the
cherished history of the State. We
might mention such men as the
late Judge T. A. R. Nelson, the
venerable Humphrey Bate, Gen. A.
W. Campbell and Others who upheld
the fame and prestige Of Tennessee.
for good and great men at that
gathering Of the country's truest
and most distinguished citizens. 1t
will devolye upon the State conven-
ton, which meets at Nashville on
the 31st inst, to appoint delegates
to another important national con-
vention. A Sagacious Tennessee
politician at Washington writes
back to a friend a long private let
ter, in which occurs this passage:
If our State Convention, on the 3lst
inst, passes any resolutions Of i~nstruc-
tions at all, of course / should favor in.
structions for Hendricks as first choice;
but / do not believe that any i%nstruc-
tons should be given, save one, which
would compel our deli cation to vote as a
unit. Tennessee, united, cool and eau
tious, can do much toward making the
next President; that is to say, | believe
il her delegation shall be all | have de-
scribed they will select a good man; and
the selection Of a good mar at St. Louis
means victory in November. / hope,
therefore, that our Tennessee friends
will see to il that our best men are ap.
pointed delegates to the st. Louis con-
vention. No dashing, trading men
should be sent there.
The Knoxville Tribune of the
23d says: "Inasmuch as that con-
vention will have but one notable
duty to p~erform-the appointment
of delegates to st. Louis-it is the
more impoHE Nat that duty
should beN hed well. The
very best representative men of the
party should be chosen as delegates.
AS suggested by the writer above
quoted, no trading men should
be sent to represent Tennessee a
st. Louis. We want a delegation o
men there whose presence vii
command respect and who's
commands in the deliberations o
the convention will be needed
That there will be agencies ct worl
to secure 4 Misrepresentation Of Tia
Democracy of Tennessee at 81
Louis, We feel well satisfied. lie
our delegates to Nashville see to j
that proper precautions are tike.
against such a calamity" We trus
and believe that the Tribune is mi.
taken as to the agencies at work
but it is no harm to warn the dele
gates and put them on their guart
Tennessee cannot afford to send an
but first class talent to the S
Louis convention. This is not
mere excursion to enable clever gel
tlemen to ride on half. fare tickle
and get their names in Il
papers at a sacrifice of Tennessee
dear bought reputation. III
mother Of three Presiden
and a quarter of a million of SO
diers and a corresponding numb
of intelligent agriculturists, m
chanics, artisans, laborers al
scholars has abundance of materi
to sustain her former renoWn, al
if a fair expression is had new Ia.
rels will be won and laid in Il
Pantheon Of the old Volunte
State, dedicated to an illnstriol
line Of heroes and statesmen