The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-05-22
THE YOUNGSTOWN GAZETTE
WEDNESDAY, MAY %, 1878.
EcKINNEY Il CANDIDATE.
GREENEHZLLE CONVENTION.

AS many of our readers are
aware, the Democratic Judicial Con-
vention, which met at Greeneville
last Thursday, after prolonged SEES
sion Of two days and a night. adj
journed without making a nomina-
ton. This was, to say the least that
can be said Of it, exceedingly unfor-
tunate. The Convention was, as we
learn, largely attended by represen-
tatiYe men from all parts of the Cir
cult. OF the four gentlemen whose
names were before it any one, as re-
CARDS talent and competency, would
have been an available candidate.
There can be no good reason. then,
why q nomination should not have
been made. We fear that the well
fare and success of the Democratic
party was not the thing nearest the
hearts and most desirable to the
feelings of some. We are afraid
there was too much of determine
ton to defeat somebody at all haz-
ards--too much personal prejudice,
and too little true Democratic prin-
ciple evinced. Viewing the matter
as we did, from an entirely unpreju-
diced standpoint-and conceding 10
the other aspirants equal honesty,
integrity. learning and fitness for the
office-we were of the opinion that
Judge John A. Mckinney was, un-
der all the circumstances the most
available man for the race. We be-
lieved that he was the choice of a
majority of the voters of the Circuit,
and that his candidacy would insure
success. The result of the Conven-
tion, indecisive though it was, shows
that he was the choice of a very re-
spectacle majority Of his own party.
His vote, according TO the rules
governing Republican conventions,
was more than sufficient to give him
the nomination. We do not believe
in Republican principles, nor do we
advocate their rules or care to Dor
row from them. But it appears to
us that in this case, for the good of
the party, looking to other interests
with an eye to future events which
might be affected advantageously or
injuriously by its action, the mineri-
ty should have yielded to the desire
of the majority, and. casting aside
personal preference and rising above
prejudice, have aided them in max
ing q nomination.
We presume that no nomination
will now be made at all, nor is it
evident that such a thing would be
desirable. We believe that Judge
Mckinney will be reelected without
the endorsement Of any Convention,
other than as his majority vote at
Greeneville may be his endorsement;
but his election may not be so
fully fruited with advantageous fu-
ture results to the Democracy as
would otherwise have been the case
1t may be said that we are med
ding in matters which concern us
not, because our geographical loea-
tion is outside Of the First judicial
Circuit. But we, in common with
our friends of that Circuit, vote for
a Chancellor we, in common with
them, vote for a member of Con-
gress; we, in common with them,
belong TO the great Democratic par
ty, and we, in common with them,
ard every other true Democrat, are
interested in whatever may affect
the best interests Of our party. So.
we say, 1t IS a concern Of ours. And
we further say, that whatever of re-
proof we have offered, has been
done not in the spirit of anger. but
of sorrow.
Since writing the above che Tri5-
1tne of Sunday brings to us the fol
lowing correspondence, which suffi-
GENTLY explains itself:
To the Hon. John II. Mckinney:
Sir-Wherea in the Democratic
Convention called TO meet in Greene
Vile, Tennessee, on the 10th day of
May, 1873. for the purpose Of nomi-
mating a Judge for the First Judicial
Circuit of said State, you received
forty-three Of the seyenty-fve votes
constituting said convention;
And. whereas. a majority Of the
votes cast in said convention repre-
sents the voice and wishes of the
people OF the First Judicial Circuit,
and is all that is usually required to
secure a nomination;
And, whereas, the convention ad
journed without any nomination be-
ing declared;
And, whereas, we are satisfied shat
you are the choice of large majority
of the people ofsaid district,
We, the undersigned. do hereby
earnestly request and demand that
you announce yourself as a candi-
date before the people of the said
Judicial Circuit for reelection to
the responsible position which you
have flied for the past two years
with so much credit to yourself and
to the entire satisfaction Of al par
ties.
ISigned By .ftty-to1er Delegates.
4, l III H. Me- Iztb 1873