Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-03-10
SENATOR GORDON OF GEORGIA.

We have little hereafter to say of
the past in the way either of denuncia-
ton or regret; but the opinions of
Senator Gordon expressed lately in an
interview with member of the press
are so thoroughly in accordance with
our own that we cannot refrain from
giving them insertion. Mr.. Gordon
PROCESSES to have derived his opinion
from conversations with Republican
statesmen, we, without such Opportu-
mites grounded ours upon an observa-
ton of the conduct of leading Repub-
licans, fuctuating as it did between
iusolent aggression andi sycophantic
Cancellation just according as the
Democrats were firm or vacillating.
1t has been said that the Democrats
need leaders; we are quite convinced
that the leadership of Bayard and
Thurman has landed them in the
slough of despond; it may be that the
ultimate leader of the party is yet a
coming man; but if selections are to
be made from those now before the
public our choice is, for the East Ran
dial, for the South Gordon, for the
West, spite of his short experience,
WattersOu.
The interview is as follows
1 never doubted. said Senator Gordon,
and am now absolutely assured OF the
fact land from Republican sources, too, }
that, if the Democrats had from first to last
presented and unbroken front, and given
notice of their memorable purpose ofresiSt-
ing to the very last extremity any attemp pit
to seat n fraudulent President, the Repub-
Leans would never have attempted to seat
Hayes. l know this to be so. The uncer-
tain policy of the Democrats, the reported
divisions in the ranks, and their alleged
willingness TO submit peaceably to any
usurpatiOn, encouraged the Republicans TO
such an extent that the Electoral bill be-
came necessity. Now, mark me: If the
Democrats mad out presented an unbrO1en
front the Republicans would never nave
gone to extreme measures, and the ElectO-
raj bill would never have been thought of.
What course, would the Democrats have
pursued? Why, simply this: The House
would have thrown out Florida and Louis
imam, and if the Senate did not follow suit,
the House would either have elected Tilden
outright, or would have provided q bill or
dering a new election next NOVem Der,
making some decent Republican acting
President until that time, Oh. course the
new election would have resulted in Til
den's triumph. But believe that the Sen
ate would have voted to throw out LOuiSi-
ana, and possibly Florlda,lt there had been
TO Electoral Commission; If the Democrats
had been determined and undivided from
the first.
But this is all past, and we must look
10 the future. Hayes prompt disavOwal OF
the offensive article in the State Journal
prevented the Inauguration of movements
that will keep him out of the White House.
What will become of the Democracy in
four years? A grand, sweeping victory
awaits them, beyond the shadow of a doubt,
il they will remain in ranks, and keep the
party intact. The country Will rcpudiate
The fraud by which the Republicans have
established their usnrpatiOn Just as surely
as the time arrives for them to vote. Our
only danger is this that Hayes, by glitter
ing offers, by really conservative and lib
eral action, will disintegrate our Southern
Democracy, and put US in danger of losing
some Of the Southern States. such a pros
pcct as this would demoralize our friends
In the North. The Republicans will make
herculean efforts to capture southern De-
mucratS and debauch the southern party.
His friends have already petttiOned Grant
to hold his hands of" OF Louisiana
and Carolina, anu leave the solution of
those problems to Hayes. Their object is
plain. 1t is intended that the PreSid ent
shall have all the applause that the recOg-
milton of the Hampton and Nichols gov
ernmentS viii win. You VIII perceive at
once that this advantage will be tremend-
Gus one. The fall and prompt recognition
of the honest governments of those two
States will give him an opportunity To sig
naliZe the opening of his administration
that few Presidents, If any President, ever
had. y judiciOus distribution of the offices
in his gift among the Southern Democrats
is relied upon to further or complete this
diSiutegration. 1t is plain that no southern
Democrats should accept Office under
Hayes. 1t shall he my purpose to advise
all who approach me upon the subject to
have nothing to do with il. oar only safe
ty. and il seems to me our only honor, is
in holding ourselves absolutely alOOf from
this fraudulent and usurpat0Ty Admin iStra
ton. If this is done we shall reap ElOrl-
Gus harvest four years from now.
The most horrible result, it seems to me,
that can come from division of our party
in the South is the demOraliZng and mis-
cradle Scu file that will enSue over the ne
gro vote. 1t will be a sad day for the South
/ when we SeG decent white men arrayeCi
! against each other. and engaged in a dead
! ~ struggle, the prize of which is a batch of
ignorant and corrupt negro voters. l hope
| and pray that the party VIII preserve its
| organization and save its honor. And
! believe IL Will. have no idea that Hayes
I or any Orther man can buy the sentiment
! OF the South with q few petty offices, or
/ dehauch with patronage party that has
proved its herOism and demonstrated its
| fortitude and purity as the Southern De-
me