Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-09
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

The Democratic convention held yesterday
was very harmonious gathering OF the rank
and file, and the result of its labors is, in the
main, crediIable and worthy the indorse-
ment of the party. The delegates appointed
will, no doubt, be acceptable and the resolu-
tions, though needlessly loug, will meet with
general approval The preamble might
readily have been dispensed with, and the
resolutions have been confined to a simple
but earnest declaration Of the views of the
Democracy ON national finances, the State
debt and the amelioration of the condition of
the working classes. AS to the southern
question, 1t no longer has any existence, save
with Radicals like Banks, of4Massachusetts,
or Foster, of Ohio. who preach a solid north
under the bloody shirt, in opposition to States
whose local policies are in harmony with the
Federal constitution, and whose only sin lies
in the fact that their people do not vote
for the Republican party. 1t would
have been well if ali allusion to
what we claim is no longer question for dis
cussion had been omitted, and resolutely
turning its back upon the past, the con-
vention had strongly but briefly given ex-
preston to its views on the questions which
now have hold upon the minds of the peo
pie to the exclusion of everything else. But
we are not disposed to quarrel with the
method or manner of the work. The con-
vention has put itself squarely on record
as to the free coinage of silver and its equal
value with gold as part of the currency con-
templated by the Federal constitutions; it
has also declared itself against the national
banks, and as opposed to the ten per cent.
law, which operates to prevent free banking;
it also denounced the bond acts, by which the
people were robbed of their currency and
had their burden of taxation increased, in
order that the bondholder might live at ease
on the profits of the labor of the multitude;
it also denounced John Sherman's financial
policy, which is but a continuation of that
by which the Radical party has worked
the ruin of the country; it also recognized
the power of the general government to aid
legitimate public enterprises, such as the con-
struction of the Southern Pacific railroad,
with its eastern terminus at Memphis, of
c)urse), and the improvement of the Misss
sippi river; but, save the clause to submit to
the people any settlement that may be agreed
upon, it was not as conclusive in the matter
of the State debt question as we trust the
State convention will be. The adjustment Of
the State debt is something that ought not to
be postponed. In justice to the people an
equitable settlement of it cannot be too soon
reached. Every years delay adds to its pro-
portions, aud every month debate of il jeop-
ardizes the harmony and unity OF the Demo-
cratic party. 1t ought to be disposed of one
way or another by the next legislature. The
wishes of the working classes as to the en-
ployment OF convict labor are well expressed.
Criminals ought to be made self-supporting,
but they ought not to be brought into
competition with the honest workingmeu,
upon whose shoulders rests the bur-
den of the State. If It were
possible, they ought not even be employed on
public works or in mines, where monopolies
can use them to Cypress the men of the pick
and spade. Better for us, and them, too, if
they could be transported to the plains, and
there be forced to labor on those irngating
canals, by which that vast extent of country
is some day to be brought under subsection to
the wants of man. COHrict labor, like Chi
nese labor, is menace to the Independence,
the life and the happiness Of the honest, toll
ing millions. But, under existing circum-
stances, the convention, as we have said, has
fairly expressed the wishes of the people as to
the limit within which the criminals of the
State may be made self-supporting. The
resolution demanding a reduction of fees to
maximum standard is one that we trust will
be especially brought home to the attention
of the State convention. 1t is a long
stride in the direction of reform,
where reform has long been needed, aud
it ought to be pushed until it is enacted a
law and enrolled on the statute books of the
State. The resolution. rs to the mechanics
lien law, an addenda to the resolutions as re-
ported by the committee, is a most thought
full recognition of the rights of the mechanics
of the State. Ii, too, should be brought to
the especial attention of the State convention
and to that of the legislature when it meets.
1t should not be allowed to fall dead letter.
The mechanics need the protection such law
would afford, and they are entitled to that or
anything else in the nature of legislation that
will secure them in the fruits of their labor
We have thus reviewed and given the spirit
of the resolutions yesterday adopted by the
Democrats of Shelby county They are such
as the Democrats of the State will find
worthy of their. consideration, and such as
we hope to see enforced by suitable national
and State Legislation.