Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-03-13
Looking Ahead.
RAMBLER.

SlotllJ illS w DCIllOCldCy. lH0 ullltT-
ences heretofore existing between
members of the party and prominent
journals have disappeared under the
calm influence of reason, and every
obstruction to Democratic unity is
gone. There are no cross issues in
side the lines, and none will be al
lowed to come in. Among the peo-
ple-the men who do the voting
there is but one sentiment, and that
for rigid adherence to true Demo-
cratic faith and solid march to
Democratic success. The spirit eX-
listing today is unanimous for an old
fashioned victOry-a majority of 3d.
600, Polled with an empasis that will
forever settle the position and rela-
tive strength Of the two parties in the
State; a victory so decisive as to lay
the phantom Of Republican hope and
quiet any doubt thatmay have grown
up as to the fidelity of Tennessee
Democrats to the National organiza-
ton, which is the true offspring of
the faith of the fathers, the natural
legatee of the spirit which animated
the founders of a government of the
people, by and for the people. We
say the condition in Tennessee is to-
day very gratifying to Democracy.
When the party assemblies in State
Convention to put its candidate in
the field for Governor no mere senti-
ment will prevail in the selection.
The standard-bearer must and will
be a man of parts, of positive quail
ties, full-grown in political stature,
wise as the wisest, well-rounded in
capacity, well-posted in State and
National affairs; man of broad and
fully developed mind, able to grasp
and solve great problems of state, and
of that marked financial ability so
much needed at this particular juno
ture. East Tennesseans are welded
to a mans fortunes. What we want
is decided capacity. We cannot go
into a canvass, even under the favor
able conditions set out above, with
candidate selected upon mere senti-
ment. Maturer considerations must
weigh. We can only afford to put
forward a man whose life-history, as
well as capacity to make a good Gov
ernor, will of itself commend him.
We can only afford to put forward
the best man we can find-one not
alone able to make brilliant speeches
and carry crowds for the moment
but man whose expressions and
views upon public polity will fasten
upon the mind and make a lasting
impression. Vote-catching is not ac-
complished these days by tickling
fancies, but rather by cold bedrock
reason. The people like to listen !;
they love to be allowed to think. No
individual preferences, no combina-
tons, nc personal qualifications can
be allowed to enter the household to
the households hurt. We are now
writing against no man spoken of;
we are urging the claims of no man.
In fact, no man, in this emergency,
has claims. The State, as a whole,
alone has claims. These are the
weightier considerations that must
, avail. Let us see to it that we drift
: not away from them.
/ Directly allied with the question of
availability is that of ACCESSIBILITY ;
and dominating both is the question
| of capability. Public interests are
never properly to be subordinated to
! individual ambitions. We can find a
l dozen gentlemen in East Tennessee;
as many in Middle and as many in
r West Tennessee, any one of whom ii
5 would be personally pleasant to us to
| see in the Governors chair. But it
r is question too important to be dis
, posed of from a personal standpoint.
We have already suggested the rea-
= sons, and we only repeat the PROPOSE
ton in the hope of arresting the at
tention of those who may be inclined
; to lose sight of the pertinent fact that
t just now Democracy wants to be on
its good behavior and make the most
= of the bright promise ahead by avoid
: ing all mistakes; by yielding where
;. concession seems fruitful, and by
: concentrating our strength in. pur-
r suing that line of policy which alone
: is hest and will secure and hold the
public confidence and good will.