Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-10-15
Political Conventions.


Mr.. EDITOR After reading your editorial
leader lin the CHRONICLE of the 9th inst,
| under the caption "Where the Blame Be
| longs" could only respond a hearty
amen to its sentiments. Not only so, bat
now when we are free from political excite
ment and all is quiet, when men can calmly
and dispassionately make up their minds, it
| occurs to me that the subject ought to be
kept "before the people," as the late
hmented Senator Brownlow used to say.
1t is matter of necessity to have polit-
ical parties, and it is matter of course.
Parties cannot exist without their conven-
tons, caucuses and councils. These are
| right and also matter OF course. There
| must be organization in order to be parties.
| The question then comes, who shalt COM
pose and control these conventions There
| is a sentiment of considerable strength in
! the popular mind that ministers of the Cos
pei should have nothing to do with political
| conventions. 1t naturally follows then that
| conscientious Christians must also stand
aloof, and leave the low, the base the vul
gar and the vagabond to manipulate our
conventions, and control the political parties
Of the country.
| The cry is that religion and politics must
be kept separate, that the; minister's calling
is to holy for him to take part in a political
| convention or contest. Strange to say,
many of our ministers cowardly desert the
post of duty sentinels in watching the
approach of the devil in this regard and
JOIN III the cry. 1t is true,
he ought not to join in the lying, ISLANDERS
| nd fn of
politicians, neither ought any one else.
The good men of the country ought to at
tend the conventions and caucuses of their
party and condemn these things. Let it be
understood that the man or men who would
lie and cheat the people out of the selec-
ton of worthy and faithful officials are po-
litical criminals unworthy of public honors,
unworthy to be trusted and that such must
not succeed.
gentleman once said to me that what
we needed was more religion in our poll
tics, and less politics in our religion. A
truer sentiment was never uttered 1t is
the duty of ministers, of Christians and all
good men, whether religious or not to up
hold the right and condemn the wrong, at
all times and under all circumstances; and
if they fail to do so, they are neglecting
. their duty. This is true in politics as well
5 | as anything else l have heard men who
are earnest Christian gentlemen and feel
i that they would be lowering their Christian
s integrity by going into a political conven-
ton, declare that they would not vote for
an Incorporate man. Yet, they have stood
: aloof and allowed such to be nominated,
and when the election comes the party reins
are drawn and fearing that they will be
{ condemned by their party, they murmu
and complain little at the party for
making such nomination and walk right up
- and vote for the Incorporate partisan
Q Now, it appears clear to my mind that it Is
a duty we all owe to our country
s to take hold of these conventions, to conduc
them in an honorable and moral way--ir
short, to be patriots, by showing that oul
love of country and reverence for our Goo
:, are too sacred to allow dishonesty and dis
honorable and base men to be placed in pc
@ sitions of honor and trust.
l. 1 say it is a duty we all owe to our coun
y try of whatever party we may belong. Tn
= fact that the demagogue, who would buy al
=, office, and then swear that he never CAV
J "any gift, gratuity, fee or reward for il
,, consideration of the support of any one,
! does mingle and make a loud noise and ofte1
- control these conventions, is no excuse fo
t ournonattendance. Indeed, tits the stronge
= reason why we should stand firm in the dis
" charge of this duty, and select men who ar
n firm in their convictions of right, and VIII
Is stand for the good of their country undo
70 embarrassing as well as fattering circun
stances. e '5+ -ss
s. Mr.. Editor, I have not said half what
w want to on this subject, and yet 1 find IN
" letter now too long. want to see the news
papers and others keep it before the pee
pie that no man is too good to help in stee
ing our grand Ship of State. If the work
all trusted to men of the devil, the vess'
must go to the devil The political party
- the door to our National or State prosperit
2 or adversely. If good men stand idle Will
;, the bad bring evil, the good are fully as II
sponsible for the evil as the bad. III
he WILL A. McTEER.
r nj, 1,.um