Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1880-06-03
THE COMING CAMPAIGN.


The present year will be an event.
full one in the history of American
politics. Aside from the interest
which always centres around the cleo
ton Of a President, the struggle for
the supremacy in both houses Of Con-
gress, now unhappily in the hands
of the Democracy. will call forth the
most strenuous exertions Of both po-
litical organizations, and we may look
forward to one Of the most exciting
and hotly contested campaigns ever
witnessed in this country. And now
the question naturally presents itself:
What part shall the Republican par
ty Of Tennessee take in the coming
contest? Shall we lie supinely on
our backs and allow the Democracy
to ride rough shod over us, leaving it
to the holder and more aggressive Re-
publicans Of other States to win the
victory for us; or shall we boldly en-
ter the field and stand or fall in de-.
Tense Of the principles we have SO
long and loudly professed? We have
the example of only four years ago
to point out the importance Of cleo
ting our candidate by such a major
ity as will render all doubt upon the
subject impossible. In that memori-
able instance we had to resort to the
unheardof e~xpedient Of determining
who was elected by the appointment
Of an Electoral Commission, the last
resort to save the country from rev.
olution. That this result was brought
about by the frauds committed by
the Democracy subsequent events
have proven beyond a doubt; but
have we any assurance that the same
frauds will not be attempted again?
The only hope Of the Democracy is
to create such a state Of affairs as
will necessitate q settlement Of the
election by the House Of Represen-
tatives where they now have a major
ity. What the result Of such an ex-
pedient would be no sane man for a
moment doubts, if the Democracy
continue to hold the balance of power
in. that body. In that event our
only hope would rest upon having a
majority in the House of Represen-
Here then is an opportunity
for Tennesseeans to show their pa
5riotism and devotion to principle.
Jan we not here, in this the fist Dis
trict Of Tennessee, keeping in view
the calamitious history Of this coun-
try under rebel Democratic rule, and
contemplating the vast interests at
stake in the future, for once lay aside
all personal feeling and prejudice,
disregard all personal claims Of indi-
viduals, select the best and most
available man as our standard bearer
and present an unbroken front to
the common foe. This is what we
propose to do, and we urge every man
calling himself a Republican to unite
with us in this movement. We have
our personal preference as is we'll
known. We have a right to a choice
among the numerous a%spirants, and
we propose to exercise that right
within the bounds Of reason, COM
mon sense and discretion, but we
have no desire to force our choice up
on other people against their will.
We propose to let the Convention
which meets in July next settle the
question of who shall be the Republic
candidate for Congress from this
district and we propose to give that
our unqulifed support.
Will the friends of theother a%spirants
do likewise? It is not uncommon for
men who are disappointed in a Con-
vention to raise the cry Of fraud and
attempt in this way to cover up their
treason to the party and to Republic
principles. We say to all such,
that this Convention will be just what
you make it. You have the opportu-
nifty now to secure q fair honest ex-
preston Of the will of o majority Of
the people in that Convention. 1t
will be your own fault if you fail to
get it, and the man who takes part in
that Convention and afterward de-
'erts the party and goes over to the
opposition is o traitor to his princi-
,les and his boosted patriotism is afim-
" sham.
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