The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-08-07
zHE CONGRESSIONAL
.ONTEN-
TTONAGAM.


TTON AGAIN.
A convention has been called to
nominate a candidate for the Demo
cratic party. in this District, on the
21st of August. at Jonesboro'. 1t
appears to have been called by the
Chairman of the Committee without
consulting any one. It is apparent
now, we think, that so far. no in
terest has been manifested in the
subject by the great mass of the peo-
pie. The election just past has so alb
sorbed the public attention. q great
degree of apathy and Indifference
has existed. The convention is call
ed to meet in little over three weeks,
in one extreme Of the District, with
strong probability that from a num-
Der of counties scarcely any repre-
sentatives will be present, and per-
haps from some, none, unless the
special friends Of some aspirant
shall attend.
A convention held under the cir
cumstances existing as to this, and
the nomination of candidate by it,
is not likely to reflect the senti-
ment of the Democratic masses, and
would certainly not promise success.
Without unanimity and concert of
action, and the nomination of a
candidate who can command the
united support of the Democracy.
and at the same time get some Re-
publican votes, success is hopeless.
The purpose, we think, should be
to consult the people, learn their
wishes and preferences ignore all
local jealousies and rivalries; look
alone to the success OF the cause.
If we have any man in the district
who can command success. in whose
honesty and integrity the people
can confide. whether a candidate or
not, and whether he lives in one
part of the district or another,
whether an original Rebel, or an
original Union man, let him be
made our candidate and mach I'M
der his lead.
We have no patience with men
who talk about their claims" The
offices were not created to reward
men for partisan services but were
created for the public good, and we
scout the doctrine that men have
claims on the people; the people
may have claims on the men. 1t
is unpatriotic and folly for the
Democratic party to suffer them
selves to be divided, and dissension
and strife to enter their counsels at
such a time as this. We may carry
the district. 1t is of the utmost
Importance that we should do so.
We can do so. The next Congress
may be the last chance the people of
this country will have to stay the tide
so rapidly drifting to National Bank
ruptcy and anarchy. The Republi-
cans of this District will rally to the
support of their nominee; all dis
sensIon and strife will end. Either
of their aspirants will, if elected, fol-
low the lead of the ultra men of the
North; will maintain the financial
policy of the party National Banks,
tariffs, and all which has brought
the country to the verge of ruin ;
follow Grant as their next candidate
for the Presidency an increase of
the standing army, and a stronger
government. This is the cry of the
moneyed kings of the North, and
they will make a desperate struggle
to maintain their power through
Grant and the Republican party.
If we have leader, we care not
who he is, or where he lives in the
district, who can make successful
race, bring him to the front-we are
for him. But consult the people,
learn who is the man if we can, and
then let all jealousy and rivalry
cease and rally to his support. We
propose, therefore, that the Conven.
ton be postponed TO the 10th oil
September next, that the Chairman
cons nit the other members Of the
Committee as to the place it shall
meet at. In the meantime that the
most practicable m ode that can be
devised be adopted by which to as
certain the choice of the people, and
the man most likely to command
success. There will be enough time
for the canvass after the time pro.
posed. The most successful canvass
in this district by the Democracy
was made in 1874, and made in thir'
ty days.