Year: 1874

clcct6Q Dy the OeuOcIatlc anu COl


servative party of Tennessee, to pos


tions of honor and trust who swel


born in Europe and In the Norther


States, some of whom served in tl


Federal army during the recent civ


war. These malicious reports are eli


culated with the two-fold object {


affecting our material interests, and {


gaining party triumph among thos


unacquainted with the real facts.


Although we are fully aware of tn


evil effects and disastrous sconsequence


of the Civil Rights bill to both tn
white and black races in cur State, an


throughout the Southern States gen


orally, we propose to resist it only, +


use the language of our platform, Hb


legal and constitutional means" w


are opposed to all forms of violenc


and crime. We exhort and entrea


every man to respect and obey the law
Do not resort to violence, No matte


how great the grievance may be, bu


rely upon the more peaceable and eff


cacious remedies for remember tina


violence Will only tend to rivet the fet


ters which have been forged to bind


your limbs. In vain let the net be


spread which is intended to entangle


you In its meshes. We, however, ap-


peal with confidence to the enlightened
sense of justice of our brethren of the


Northern, and especially of the North
western States to save us and them
selves from the dire effects of this
most ruinous measure. We are united
with them not only by railroads but
by nayigable streams. Our interests
are their interests-the blow at our
prosperity must affect them. If we
can become a great agricultural and
manufacturing people, producing cot
ton, sugar, rice, and, at the same time,
engaging extensively in the various
kinds of manufacturing for which our
country is so admirably adapted, we
will afford to them the nearest and
best markets for their immense grain
and other agricultural supplies. Tne
same high tariff which oppresses us is
drawing their life blood. The same
bank monopoly which concentrates all
the money power in the East, and de-
prives them of sufficient currency to
transact their ordinary business, and
thereby makes them dependent upon
an Eastern money oligarchy, is grind
ing US and our industries to powder.
The same legislation which produces
an antagonism between the races in
the South, and is destroying peace,
order and quiet, is materially affecting
their interests, by depriving them of
the Southern markets, which ought to
be the best for their productions. The
Civil Rights bill must of necessity be
the great controlling question, in local
as well as in general elections. Too
much depends upon it for it to be ig-
nored. All men who are opposed to
it should unite with the party opposing
it in all portions of the United States,
and that is the Democratic and Con-
servative party. Upon this question
there is no diversity of sentiment
among Democrats in any part of the
country. In Maine and Massachusetts,
in Indiana and Ohio, as well as in Ten
nessee and Alabama, the Democrats
are unit in opposition to this bill of
Let all, then, in Ten
nessee who are opposed to this meas
ure unite in this election with the party
pledged to oppose it, and by that means
endeavor TO save our State and our
country from the calamities which are
in store for us if this bill should be-
come law, and remain upon our statute
books. fit should unfortunately be
passed by partisan Congress, under
the influence of unprincipled leaders,
we must raise the banner of repeal and
call upon the people in all sections of
the Union, who wish to preserve our
government in fact and in
spirit, as well as in name, to rally to
the cause of the Constitution and the
rights of the States and of the people.


We do not say, because we do not
believe, the great body of the Repub-
lican party, either in the Northern or
in the Southern States, are responsible
for the evil consequences growing out
of the agitation of the Civil Rights
bill. Many of the heaviest blows it
has received have been from prominent
Republicans, and especially from the
distinguished Senator from Tennessee.
His trumpet gives no uncertain sound.
We ask Republicans of the Northern
States, who can and will rise above
passion and prejudice, to examine this
matter well, and then determine for
if a measure, fraught with
so much mischief, for the white and
black races in the South can be de-
manded either by party necessity or
public good. If they will not listen to
us, will they not hearthe voice of their
own tried and trusted friends in the
South? If the mere agitation of the
question has produced such results,
what would be the consequences of its
passage and enforcement? ''for if they
do this in green tree what shall be
done in the dry?"


Upon questions of State policy our
platform is so clear and explicit that
it needs no ella boration at our hands.
We must retrench and reform; abolish
all useless offices and reduce all exor-
bitant salaries; and this must be done
with view of preserving untarnished
the honor and credit of the State,
without unnecessary and burdensome
taxation. What measures may be
found necessary to preserve the credit
of our State without imposing grievous
burdens on our people, are matters
that we must leave to an enlightened
Legislature, having the whole subject
before them, and having due regard
to our just obligations and to the in
terests of our people We call upon
our friends in every part Of the State
to organize with a view of carrying
the November elections by an over
whelming majority.


Let spirit of harmony prevail in
our ranks which cannot be disturbed
by any merely personal consideration,
or by any attempt to subserye the am
bition of any aspirants.


The Democratic and Conservative
candidate for Governor needs no COM
mendation from US. He possesses ca
pacity, integrity, and every other quail
ity to entitle him to the earnest and
the enthusiastic support of the people.
He will defend the constitution. en-
force the laws and guard well the high
trusts committed to his charge. Such