Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-06-03

the party has always maintained, and
with which it has won many victories, is
that of frequent meetings and elections
by the people. In thus throwing tozeth-
or so often, the many candidates and diff
ferent interests, the merits of each and
the welfare of the party both, were kept
so clearly before the people that any in
dividual claim to perpetual title in an Of
flee, or any class, caste, clique or ring in
fuences were effectually sileneed. The
great governing rule was TO bring all
classes and elements Of the party, or the
chosen Representative of the same, into
nominating convention, and there by a
two-thirds or other majority, nominate a
proper man as candidate, and then rally
the whole party like a unit TO his support.
Any other course was pronounced treas
enable, and the party so unanimously
stigmatized any such action that any one
taking an opposing course was almost
forever debarred from party control and
party honors. The carrying such prin- |
ciples into full effect was perhaps the
chief cause of the grand and continued
success of the Democratic party for so
many years. Its power grew tillit adj
ninistered the national and most Of the |
State governments in every department,
and developed in all American progress
and American resources in a great degree.
1t stood as the last and only national par
ty, the last guardian of the Union aud
its liberties, for all other parties had
broken into sectional fragments. But
the great tide OF pressure came after a
while, and at an evil hour, an hour dark
and fatal in our country's history, the
Northern and Southern wings Of the
party fell unwiseIy into violent conflict
at the Charleston Convention Of 1860,
and separated. That separation proved
to be separation of North and south,
and hostilities, war and secession soon
followed. The only remaining party
with Constitutional principles being
thus divided and powerless for a national
contest, the enemies of the South and of
the North, as well as enemies of all good
government, rallied all their elements,
came into full power and have kept the
country under their ruinOus rule ever
since. If public interests and party in
terests had prevailed at Charleston in
stead of mari partisan demands and in
dividual claim to office, and thus delayed
and pacified the great sectional hate,
North and South, the recent history of
our country might have been very differ
ent. These sad lessons of the past show
the wisdom and necessity of most thor
ough, liberal and honest party organiza-
ton. We know what the opposing par
ty of carpst-baggers, thieves and corrupt
office holders have done, and will con-
tinue to do if they get she power. No
greater evil could afIlict our country than
their continued rule. We cannot defeat
them and bless the people and build up
our country's interests, unless we are cs-
tabIished on good principles, and our or
ganizatiOn perfect Our party is wise In
making record against Third Term,
and the principle will apply well
throughout to all offices. Exceptional
cases may occur, but "nO third term
should be the rule. for the future We
must know our friends and reward our
workers. Hope and reward should light
the path of every worthy aspirant, and
he should have his equal chance In put
ting his claims before the party. Just
because man has been honest and In Of
flee, is no reason for keeping him there.
A thousand other men are just as honest
aud competent and have done more for
the party. 1t is the good citizens duty
to be honest, and lie can claim no special
credit for it. Our party processes to pro-
mote only men that are honest and COM
petent, and we have a plenty that are so
to fill every Office four times over. Then
away with any such himsy Pretext, that
the mans claims are superior because he
was just only s'honest and good natured, -
and simply kept his seat and voted yea or
nay. We want all the benefit of the va
ried talent of our country, men of all
classes and interests, and men most prac-
teal and progressive. We want to pro-
mote men from all directions who will |
originate new ideas and give us more |
positive principles, men for the needs of
to-day who viii advance in developing |
our resources and in settling Yexed ques-
tions of former days, which remain to
battle and confuse our recent legislatures. |
II II Is HcCeSSdIy 10 nave u party, we |
must have a good party. and enc able to
carry out its objects and intentions. To
keep such party, its leaders and work |
ers must love it, and its supporters must |
feel satisfied that fairness, justice and |
good management prevail. Competition
is the life of all our institutions, and re-
ward for services is at once gratillca-
ton and proud honor. Hundreds of /
men will work for a party, especially in /
aid of good government, if there be a |
chance in the near future to crown them |
selves with honor and reward. Every |
one knows this is human nature, |
whether It ought to be or not. The terms |
must be given in short rotation, or many |
may never get what they deserve. And |
as we have already said, we need varie-
ty and change of men to I'LL properly
places of public trust, that all classes
and interests may be protected and repre-
sentcd. The world is variety, and a
constant change of seasons aud light and
darkness is before US. 1t is the Divine
order Of Nature, and most wholesome
and essential.