The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1913-11-21
WHY NOT PARTY UNITY?

1t Is evident that the Nashville
Banner expects to fight for fusion in
the campaign of next year. That pa
per in an editorial in last Saturdays
issue, makes it plain that 1t does not
desire unity in the democratic party
of this state during the coming cam
paigR. 1t hopes that there will be
no harmony" movement like that
Of last year that brought confusion
and discord into the ranks Of the in
dependent democrats.
Now it is just a little too early to
determine upon just what lines the
campaign for governor and the legis-
lature next year should be conducted
but we can see no good reason at this
time why the democratic party should
not be rehabilitated and regenerated
and made the representative of the
best interests of the state. Certainly
a movement having that end in view
should receive the cordial endorse
ment of every good citizen regardless
of factional or political alignments.
In other words we hope to see the
day in Tennessee, and we do not care
how soon it comes, when every polit-
ical organization of any consequence
will stand for the enforcement Of the
laws, for temperance and for honest
government. 1t is unfortunate for
the state that any party organization
should be dominated by lawless
special interest and officered by SELF
ish grafters.
We are of the profound conviction
that the interests Of this state can
best be served through the democrat
ic party, provided that party stands
for the execution of all the laws, hon.
esty and economy in government, is
progressive and responsive to the
public needs. We believe in respon-
sible party government. And any
movement having this object in view
should meet the cordial approval OF
all who have the welfare of the state
at heart.
The Herald opposed the so-called
harmony movement OF last year be-
cause the harmony agreement" set
tied nothing. 1t was simply an under
standing or compact for division Of
the Offices of the state. We have TAX
en- the position and reiterate it that
the great majority of the people of
Tennessee have little concern as to
what individuals may hold the Offices
but they are vitality interested in the
character Of government which they
obtain. The harmony" movement of
last year was doomed to failure from
the very first because it refused to
recognize this fundamental truth. It
settled nothing and make no attempt
to settle anything but the distribution
OF the Offices.
But q different situation may con-
front us next year. The liquor forces
have been whipped and while they
have not been destroyed they are
hors du combat; their organ is gone;
their munitions Of war are scarce,
and many Of their leaders have jump
ed aboard the water wagon. 1t should
therefore be comparatively easy for
democrats who will agree to the pres
ent settlement of the liquor question,
stand for the enforcement Of all the
laws and for the punishment and os-
tracism of all grafters and faithless
public servants, to come together and
present a platform and candidate to
the people of Tennessee which will
command the respect and receive
the support of a majority of the cleo
torate.
The Herald has no candidate for
governor. 1t agrees with the Nash
vile Banner that personal ambition
should play no part in the campaign
of next year. This is democratic
paper, however, and il it can achieve
the same results through democratic
organization and unity that could be
obtained by the fusion route it pre-
fers to go the former road.