The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-03-25
Two Conventions.

In pursuance of call issued three
weeks ago, the State Democratic
Executive Committee met in Nash
Vile last Friday. The result Of their
deliberations was another victory for
Judge Turney. 1t was the policy OF
Mr.. Buchauan's trainers to have an
early convention; for two reasons,
Because their organization is as per
feet as it can be made. Mr.. Nc
| DOwell having done nothing since
his election but draw a salary-un-
Justly wrung from the people-and
organize secret political societies to
give himself and Mr.. Buchanan
second term.
They knew, too, that Judge Tur-
news duties on the Bench would en-
gage all his time until the middle OF
June, and their second reason for
hurrying, was to shut the grand old
man out without giving him chance
or hearing before the people.
Not much if anything has been
said about it by the press, but it was
generally known and privately talked
that Chairman Mcconnell and Secre-
tary Wade were doing their very best
to attain this end. These gentlemen,
like some of the GOvernOrs's Mem
phis healers, not caring much how,
so they got there. At one time they
thought they had it fixed. But that
innate sense of justice, always strong
in a Tennesseean's breast-and which
rebuked the Shelby county would-be
strangers, also fOiled the aforesaid
Chairman and Secretary. There
happened to be enough men in the
ranks on the Committee, who wore
the collar of no man, but who re-
mambered their duty to their party
The Committee, therefore, after a
full and free discussion, determined
to hold two conventions, both to be
held in Nashville. The first on May
2GLh, to select delegates to National
Convention in Chicago on June 18th
The second to be held August 9Th,
to nominate candidate for Governor.
This was certainly the fairest aud
wise-t procedure that could have
been had. OF course in these degeu
crate times there are maIy place
hunters who will straddle any plat
form they may hope to win upon.
But, from all present indications, 1t
appears that the battles, both state
and national, will be fought on prin-
cipIe. Tennessee democracy, there
fore, by waiting until August, will
have read their national platform,
which will aud should guide them
more or less in their deliberations.
The people can judge from the Natio-
nal Democratic platform pretty well
what will be the Tennessee platform.
They can then intelligently deter
mine. not which can straddle it the
best, but whether Judge Jurney or
Mr.. Buchanan would fit it the best.
And they eau send their delegates to
the State Convention instructed
accordingly.
For illustration, suppose the ghost
dancers who recently assembled in
St. Louis and held high carnival,
should, sure enough, as they say they
will, capture the National Democratic
Convention and insert in the platform
a plank endorsing the Ocala platform,
sub-treasury, land loan, government
ownership of railroads and all. Then,
if we know Old Pete, and we thin
we do, he would kick himself for
ever having become candidate and
would promptly withdraw.
On the other hand If the Chicago
convention should declare against
these heresies, schisms and isms,
would not Governor Buck be out of
it? Not that the Governor would
have the manliness as we think
Judge Turney would to prefer pri-
vate station to a public stTaddle'
Tot that! But wouldn't the Govern
or be so out of plumb with the princi-
pies and policies of the then declared
Democracy, that the people of the
party almost as a unit would vote
the Governor to go home and watch
the briers and weeds grow on his
farm as he was wont to do?
We trow they would.
For these reasons we think there is
luck in leisure, and we endorse the
action of the committee in calling two
and delaying the State
Convention until August,