The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-05-01

fealty to the best interests of the
Democratic party. The Democrat
opposed the action Of that convention
in nominating Maj. Glass by methods
which it considered supplementary
and undemocratic, but its opposition
ceased when the nomination of Major
Glass was ratified by the people at the
ballot box, and it holds that it is now
too late for Democrats, especially
those who advocate the election of
Major Glass or voted for him, to file
exceptions TO the action of the con.
vention. The tribunal of the whole
people, the decisions of which are ex.
pressed and enforced through the in
strumentality of the ballot box, is the
court of last resort for the settlement
of political questions and to its decis-
ions every true Democrat must cheer
fully subordinate individual opinion.
All who dsmur to the determinations
of that tribunal, however speciOus
and plausible may be their preten-
sions, are logically in opposition to the
bottom principle of Democracy and
popular government. The question
precipitated upon the people by the
action of the convention is now res
adjudicata, and the inevitable result
of reopening it would be to create
disharmony in the ranks Of the Dem
ocracy, and foment factional strife in
every county in the district. Honest
difference Of opinion exists among
Democrats in regard to the action of
the convention. 1t is an error, and
one fraught with danger to Democrat
ic success, to suppose that all, or even
any considerable majority, Of the solS
id Democratic yeomanry would be
arrayed on one side of the question or
the other, and it is impossible, owing
to changes of opinion which it may
reasonably be supposed have taken
place in the last two years, to deter
mine beforehand on which side the
majority would be found, if the ques-
ton should be reopened and remain
ded back to the people for adjudica-
ton at the ballot box orin the,prima-
ry conventions. Certain it is that the
agitation Of the question can result i'll
no possible good to the democratic
party. Nothing but discussion and
strife can result from burrowing down
into the rubbish Of the past and drag
ging up differences which have been
buried and forgotten by all thoughts
full, fairminded and patriotic mem
bers Of the party. No man who has
the interests Of the democratic party
at heart, or has an intelligent regard
for his political future, will attempt
to re-kindle the passions and preju.
dices Of the past. Any attempt on
the part of any candidate in that di
rection must be logically construed
either as Il covert effort to SOW dissen-
sion in the democratic ranks, or as an
act Of desperation, prompted by the
consciousness Of great weakness on
the score of personal merit, 1t is
safe to say that the people want ne
more discussion of the far>famed con.
vention Of 1884, and no repetition OF
the unseemly party wrangling that
ensued. Nor are they in any frame
of mind just at this time to lend at,
tentlve ears to he lliadsof any mans
Woes, Jr listen with patience to story
Of wrongs, real or imaginary, which
should long since have been forgotten.
They will tolerate no appeal to pas
slons and prejudices that have been
displaced by traternal feeling and i'm
partial judgment. The questions
growing out of the action Of the con-
ventlon no longer possess any interest
for the thoughtful democrat. They
have no relevancy to the issues in
volved in the canvass now in progress.
The work for the democracy in this
canvass is not to di8mem her the party
by raking up the family troubles Of
the past, no; to dig up and infuse life
into fossil issues but to nominate and
elect a man qualified by mental
equipment and integrity Of character
to properly represent them in Con.
gress Dlsorganizers and dislurbers
of democratic harmony viii receive
no encouragement in their unholy
work. The music Of TIE harmonicou
not the harsh notes OF discord, will
catch the popular ear, refresh the
popular soul aud iuspre the popular
heart with zeal aud energy for the
coming conflict with the enemies OF
republican government.
There have bppn several breaks in