Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-06-21
THE CONVENTIONS work.

Nashville. -imericGn: The convention
is over, the platform is made, and tue
american has to speak. Our readers, one
and all, will see at once the platform is
not what we desired, but we have done the
best we could. We have maintained,
through discussion lasting nearly two
years, that ga tariff for revenue limited to
tie necessities of the government, eco
nOmically administered, but 50 ad-
justed as to encourage American la
bor," was Democratic doctrine. This
was desired in Tennessee by most of the
leading men OF the party. The night
before the convention met, Senator Harris,
the Hon. John +, House and the Hon.
Benton McMilliu commenced the discus
sion at the capitol. taking ground sgainst
the feature for adjusting the revenue tariff,
and insisting that this was not Democratic
doctrine. The Executive Committee of
the State Democracy, with perhaps one
exception, entertained the same views.
Twenty-three of the Committee on
Resolutions reported against the
adjustment feature, and only five
in its favor. The discussion over
! the majority and minority reports lasted
two days and developed the fact, which
| nobody controverted, that We had been
standing where Mr.. jefferson, Gen. Jack
son and Mr. Polk had stood; but it was
said that this language had been misun-
deTstood and should not now be used, and
| the convention refused TO adopt it. The
. flatiering vote which it received, 535 to
T9i, under all the circumstances, as be-
ginning is most satisfactory. and believing
as We did that this was sound
Democracy and for the best in
terests OF the country, we feel greatly
complimente3 by the slmost unanimous
vote nf the counties Of Davidson, Shelby,
| Hamilton, Lincoln, Anderson, Carroll,
Claiborne, Cumberland, Eentress, Glain-
ger, Greene, Grundy, Humphreys, Jeiier-
son, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Maricn,
Morgan, Perry, Polk, Putnam, Rhea,
Roane, Sequatchee, Sewer, Sullivan,
! much our victorious friends will pardon us
for saying. But the Democracy have de-
cided against us, and while tie Americdu
can no more alter its convictions on this
question than the leopard can change its
spots, it knows how 10 accept the decision
of its party, fairly nssSc, and L knows
what is its duty. Its duty is to stand
by the Democratic party and fight
| for. it as it has in the past. This il
win do cheerfully, hear lily and in good
faith, with all the ability it can COM
| man6. We understand well that the
division of the convention on this question
Will uOt -Uc SdiIsiSClufN 10 D1aily Ol Ouf
Democratic readers, particularly in this
| city, where the business men and the
working people are almost 3 unit foi
something like the minority report which
was voted down. But addressing our
selves to our readers, and particularly tC
our laboring people, who will be disap-
| pointed, we wish to offer few sugges
tions:
First, as Democrats we must lock 10 tho
| action of the National Convention, which
meets in few davs at Chicago, and its de
cision ON the tariff is final, and the action
of our State Democracy ceases to bind
| BY this We must all stand.
Second, if, in your judgment, the party
| makes mistake on the tariff, still take i
all in all, it is infinitely better to fight il
| it for the government reforms so much
needed than 10 90 into the Republican
party, which has been so long in sin tha
there is no hope of reform.
As in the past, the 4msricaa will con
tinue to be the friend OF the working
people, and will continue, as il has alwayl