The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-12-15
The Harmony Question.

Gated only so long as they serve MS
party purposes.
The Harmony Question.
The Americana
We have devoted ourselves to some eX-
tent to the arguments presented by
those who would reach harmony at any
price from the standpoint of desire for
such political combinations as may Sc
cure foaVes and fishes 1T any price. Our
conservative contemporary, The PU-
LAsKI CITIZEN, has recently furnished
US with the opportunity 10 view the same
subject from the standpoint OF patrl-
otto desire to accomplish the best thing
for he state and for the democratic
party as an agency for good in the state
and the nation. Aware of its earnest
devotion to principle and desire TO sd
vocate the best policy, we always differ
with our contemporary only alter due
care and reflection.
We have failed to reach the same con-
clusion from its premises. 1t declares
that it has accepted the recent settle
ment and is able to see no reason why
it should not stand, beyond the division
il appears about to create liz the party.
IL declares its desire to preserve the
party intact even if it cost the reopen
ing of this question, the setting aside
the settlement, and leaving tho subject
for what the future may bring out OF
such harmony as starts out with dis
carCling what we must regard an essen
tiaI principle. Examining the subject
first from the standpoint of the present
and future inter ests of the state, it being
admitted by the CITIZEN that its accept
ance destroys no right and involves no
sacrifice of principle, what will the state
gain by abandoning the settlementY 1t
will have question on its hands, pro-
life in direct corruption, fertile in pro-
ducing speculation on both sides OF 1t,
sure TO further lower the tone of public
and private morals, leading to angry
passions and violence, vitiating the
principle of private faith ana regard for
obligations.
What win we gain in exchange?
Party harmony and democratic success?
Let US see. That state democracy which
takes Reputation for its principle will
add no strength to national democracy.
1t will hang about the neck of the party
like the dead albatross upon the ancient
mariner. it viii corrupt end corrode,
and prevent that hold on the conserva-
tive intelligence Of the north which can
only be won by pursuing the right to
defeat, if necessary, and through defeat
to resurrection and final victory. But
of what kind will be the harmony pro-
duced? The party which broadens its
foundations to let t.le worst stand upon
them, may gain the worst, all of the
worst, If you will; it surely loses the
best. 1t surely gives the worst control
and installs the leaders of the worst as
its leaders. Which is the greatest pow
er, numbers or morals? How many
men who are wrong and standing on es
sentiallv false ideas, does one man who
is right and based on the right, out
weigh? a party neglects this consid-
Grafton at It's peril.
If democracy determines to GO in for
numbers, without regard to truth and
principles, we shall cheerfully and
without a moments hesitation 90 with
what we regard as truth and principles,
and around that standard will gather,
as surely as there is truth and right,
the deserving numbers. We shall advo-
cate such democracy as sacrifices tenn
porary and delusive harmony to truth
and right, and on that liEe win future
the more thorough and lasting
that it has been so won.
We know our contemporary patriot
ism too well to suspect its motives and
we do not doubt its courage, but we
think it has placed party above the in
terests of the state, and that IL is fatal
error. If democracy do not coincide |
with the interests of the people, and |
hence with the line of right, it will fail |
if it start out with overwhelming num- |
bers. That such a compromise, such a |
such sacrifice, as will reopen |
this question to serve as shuttlelock |
for aspiring time servers, will not give
to such democracy as may pur- |
sue this line, we know already. We I'M
derstand fully this tempest in a teapot |
raised by few politicians here and
there. They have it almost entirely to
There is bat one way to deal with
this matter. Democracy must treat II
as settled; every interest demands it.
Our contemporary admits that party
harmony alone demands another course.
| f that is true then surely party cannot
demand it. In any proper view OF
party it must stand up only for what is
best for the state. Let it dare do other
wise and true democracy will not fail, or
lie. Whether through defeat thus fool
SHY forced by false measures OF har-
nony, or through victory won before
. reasoning and intelligent people, it
will grow the stronger for standing and
,om batting such democracy as dares
% yield essential principles for harmo-
ly's and expediency's sake.