The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-09
The Defeat of Gon. Polk in Maury.
The Newspapers Of Columbia Not
Very Well Satisfied.
Did The Democratic Convention
Mlsrepresont the Party2
No Authority From the People to
Instruct for Harris.
Defense OF Gen. Folks Position That a
Candidate Should Not Have EN-
barrassing Instructions Laid
Upon Him.

much cannot be said in praise OF the men
selected to ill the various offices, and II is
to be hoped that they will receive the
united and cordial support Of all Demo-
Gratis. There seems TO be n deep and
universal regret at the failure OF the con-
ycntion to nominate Gen. L. +. Polk.
There is hardly doubt but that he was
the first choice OF the people OF the district
for State Senator, and it is equally clear
that he could have received the nomina-
ton almost without opposition but for the
instructions which the convention insisted
IN placing upon the nominees. The issue
between Gen. Polk and the convention was
briefly stately simply this Gen. Polk
insisted that this convention had no au-
thority from the people to predetermine
their choice for the United States Senator
ship; this right was claimed by the con-
vcntion, and 1t obligated its nominees TO
support Mr.. Harris in his candidacy for
the SenatoBhip.
This presents question of abiding in
terest, and should have beon settled by
reason and party custom, without refer
ence 10 the immediate end 10 be accom-
plishcd
This was not n general convention Of
Democrats assembled for the purpose OF
shaping the policy OF the party or determ-
lining the course which the candidates,
who might be selected should pursue in
case they were elected. The call was a
special one; il was 10 meet in primary on
September % and select delegates 10 the
convention, which should choose the
Democratic candidate Tor senator, iloater
and representatives This call defined the
scope II the conventions duties. namely,
to select candidate, and when II had dis
charged that duty il had exhausted its
power Of representation and a,tOrnCyship,
aud could no longar speak for the people.
II was argued that because IN many, II not
IN all the districts, q question had been
raised by the friends oi the two principal
nsplrants for the office OF United
States senator, and majority of
Harris men Ind been selected, that
therefore this minority had the right
TO speak Tor the WHO'D party upon all ques-
tons which might come before IL, as
though the people were bodily present. but
clearly the selection 10 Harris men as dele
gates 10 the co1NonLuu did not enlarge the
powers Of the c0nyentiun, nor confer juris
diction upon II Which il would not other
wise have had. tThrrH must be some limit
M restraint thrown around the actions Of
The majority. TIN mere presence OF ma
Ionty does not aHCrl license 90 general ac-
ion upon all matters. Obviously, then,
thai limit Is vached when the purpose for
which the convention was called has been
reached and accomplished. The party
should act regularly and by its accustomed
IN 'thods. III, had been desired that AN ex-
preston Of the people, as 10 their choice
Tor United states senator should be- had,
then the call should have directed the
Democrats oi the district 10 give expression
In some suitable way 10 that choice on the
lay the primaries we're held. Thurccould
lien not have boon The slightest objection
10 the convention wing expression 10 such
4 choice.
80 one, Of coum'. would doubt for
moment the power u. tie majority In ia.
late convention tou.a the advantage which
That majority gave fHum and name mon
Tor Nanous position, who were known 10
hc Harris men. tht lection Is 10 tho ne
uon ui the convention loo The preliminary
steps 81 ~ urgnniE1 un 10 adopt q rcsolu-
.ion p'rdsing lisnou.nrcs o. the supper. oi
MI Harris thus shutting Oh candidates
who were not willing ~ receive ins,ruc-
ions 40 ihu hands Ol TIE convention. And
Ihis resolution bccoWHs, ~ a. speak, an
additional plank In thc Democratic plat
.prm plcdgIng every Democrat Ia the dis
met TO the support NJ Mr Harris for the
such an abuse or rather
such a departure from its powers, ought
hot 10 be- tolerated There are manv
Democrats who. whilst they might cheer.
ully support mcn vino are known a. be-
Harris men, yet would resent the idea Of
being pledged by a parry declaration 10
hat support
But there IL still much better reason
han al this why candidate should not
ave instructions lail upon him which
night cmhlrmss him boz the faithful dis
'hlrgU 81 his sworn duties the policy II
u-iuCiing Legislators how they should
.UtD in the selection Ola United States |
'yuat1r cannot for am0mcnt commend /
'sclf 90 our impartial Judgment Tho leg.
slli1r when HclcCtcl becomes the rpprn. |
oHtatiyC Of The whole people II his dis /
riot and not 81 tho hurr majority Of his !
,Vn party. suppos' that the minority Of |
he party when nddp.l 10 iho bulk II the |
ltbrr voters made a llrg" majority Of the /
whole people who opp1srl such choice. |
hon what would be the duty Of the rep. |
Heretofore n has been the custom Of |
democrats a. select good aud tfue men ns |
heir candidates, And o. leave a. the oxcr- |
isc oi their suuislh tscrcli1n ihu discharge
{ their ,dqiic'l rs couue has been
Duni sufficient to past and w $50 no /
vason Tor makissa change.
.um ihc columbia gle9.i
Much has bcctrIll ami q being said In
cgirl to Gcs Fplfs acts II IL not the |
mention Of ihls p'urlu b. rrt up any |
iriic. but shall bqpHurpIc advocated by |
sen. Polk be- ovsriOvkDi7 u s1. YOU tear /
~ thc ioundaiier ~ .u which Democracy |
y built Tie pfiHa.H'rs IT Democracy |
'iIl stand whom lsnut' and Atkins have |
'aaa,d away tnt political cliqucs arc |
.nnWu no moro.
Tho lay has colN ben the cry Of bolter .
md thc party 81 NiI not drive mcn 20 /
lot against tholtH licc, as will be plainly /
hown On the 6ukN November.
Con. Folk was thc choice Of every dis. /
riot in Maury cnuniy, and Il was not their .
'ish to cucumber him With restrictions.
W. they have tried him in war aud iu
'acc When shot AMI she'll we're falling f..
hi,k aud last around bin they hll no lc.
tictions upon him, and they ask none
low,
0ES. roiKg ACTION.
IN refusing 10 acccli iho nomination Of
cnainr with the Instructions ns imnosed
" the passage II thr Harris resolution
zen. Folk showed himself o. lc not only
mnn not afraid 70 stand by lhoso oon,Ic.
IONS a. advocated by him, bat lac showed