Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-09-23
COUNTY POLITICS.

We gladly call attention to the circu-
lar addressed by the Democratic Ex-
u olive Committee of Montgomery
c1SSSty to the voters of this county. A
most erroneous conception seems to US
to be afoat among our citizens as to the
relative Importance of County, State
and National politics. We have talked
with men of some political influence,
who, when the danger of dividing the
Democratic party and so giving power
to the Radicals was urged, would ex-
press themselves pretty much as fol-
lows: "Oh there is no danger, this
State is going to vote for Tilden and
Hendricks whatever happens; ours is
only family quarrel, question of low
tax or high tax and doesn't go outside
of the State"
Surprising it did not, still there would
be much mischief done, but it does.
Let US imagine that at the eleventh
hour Radical were to step in as re-
preventative in this county through
the division of the Democratic vote
between Judge Smith and Squire Fred
erick, and suppose the same blunder
to be perpetrated in other counties 1--WE
have no right to expect our neighbOrs
to be any wiser than ourselves, similar
blunders will not be perpetrated in the
Radical counties. and suppose that by
snch infatuation the Radicals who are
a minority IN the State should become
a majorityin the legislature, what then?
It would still be said the Presidential
campaign would not be endangered,
and we are to suppose that our people
have forgotten the beauties of Radical
State rule which only eight years ago
we shook off. But even supposing all
this, is it forgotten that the next legis-
lature will send two Senators to Con-
gress, and the Senate which is now the
stronghold of the Radical party would
thus be strengthened against the re-
forming policy Of the House of Repre-
seutatives? What would be gained by
electing Mr.. Tilden our Presidentand
then leaving him bound hand and foot
by Radical Senate. The Presiden-
tial term of Andrew johnson would
be simply repeated and the principles
of the President would be altogether
imperative.
Mo- the progress of political opin-
ion is centrifugal in this countries as it
is centrifugal in countries like France
and Russia. Here it moves from the
district conventions to the counties,
from counties to States and States to
the National Metropolis, and, Is party
allegiance is weak in the counties, that
party cannot be strong in the National
counseis. 1t is time then that we
should make up our minds that what
ever little factions we may have among
ourselves there are in the Nation only
two great parties one of which must be
strengthened and the other weakened
by our action here. Now, in the strug-
gle for life and death now going on be-
tween the Republican and Democratic
parties can we afford to weaken the
latter? Can we afford even to abstain
from giving it strength? What are we
if the Radical party gain new lease of
power? What becomes of any South
ern State in the hands of party which
announces openly itspurpose of sweep
ing away all the State lines and State
privileges and demanding us to the ter
ritorial condition with the negroes to
rule the whites, and Northern radicals
to rule the negroes ?
There is no choice except between
this condition and the election of
Democratic president with a Demo-
cratic House and Senate to support
him and State legislature acting in
harmony with them.
Away then with our two mill or four
mill squabbles and let us look the facts
in the face, assured that, if we make
such a terrible mistake as that, six
mills OF eight mills won't be enough
to pay for our infatuation.
Let us in county, district, State and
national affairs, put such men into of
fees of trust as will strengthen the
hands of the party in which lies our
salvation, and not of that in whose
hands we should become at once the
victim and the laughing stock.