Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-05
RADICALIsM MADE HAPPY.

Radicalism in Tennessee is glad, from
the crown of its shallow head to the sole
Of its big foot. Weak, thin and effeml-
nate as it is, it has trinmphed over the
great pillows Of the people, and over the
march of events. If it has not choked
up the channels Of supply, and reduced
the people to bread and water, it is be-
cause its puny existence relies upon
their arms for subsistence. Go on, 1t
says in effect to the people, rebuild yonr
houses, reclaim your lands, make cotton
and hay, and pumpkins and pork. Belt
your broad fields with green, waving
wheat, stock your farms with cattle,
and when the ripening Autumn
comes, gather into your barns the fruits
OF industry and make the land smile
with plenty Build churches and school
houses, preach the gospel, moralize and
christianize the country. Make great
and prosperous commonwealth-vieing
in richness and intelligence with the best
ofthe Union. Administer justice, marry
and give in marriage, feast and smile,
and be happy. Do all this, for it to our
interest You must pay all the taxes
You must bear all burdens of govern
ment You must support us. We in
tend to hold Office We intend to live
and die in it For this purpose we have
DISTINGUISHED you. We should like to be
on good terms with You. We should
like to visit your families, sit at your
tables, eat your bread, WOO and win your
daughters, spend your money, and be the
best friends in the world But you shall
not vote You shall not be trusted. If
we would bill and COO with you, mind,
don't imagine that you are our equals.
What we do is in condescension-conde
scension in the line of our interest We
are the State; You are the cogs in its
great wheel. We can knock you out or
put you in, as we think proper. We are
your masters. ltf.i h
Who will deny that such is the spirit
of Radcalism in Tennessee ? 1t has
drawn line of political distinction.
Suppose the proscribed-always orderly
always discreet, always obedient to the
law, always gentle in demeanor-draw
line of social distinction beyond which
the prosecutors, and those who tinkle like
little bells about their skirts, cannot pass.
There would be nothing disloyal, nothing
wrong in it. The man who says to you,
Sir, you are not fit to vote-you shall |
not vote-I rob you Of your birthright |
of suffrage-I despoil you of the proud
of citizenship-cannot be sur
prised if you say back to aim, in tones
the most bland, with manner the most |
genial, Sir, you can neither expect nor
desire hereafter any social recognition
from me. You have placed yourself out |
Of my reach. Good morning, sir Coald |
he object e.
The case is quite different with citizens
IF the North, who are not connected with |
he local politics of the State. 1t is quite
liferent with the soldiers Of the United
States. They me. the Southern soldiers
n honorable warfare They fought to
.estore the Government-State and Ma
to disfranchise the South
I'm people They are honorable, and
10 are all Northern residents in
he South who do not, for the sake
If Office, prescribe the native citi.
ZEN and send him forth a political out
asst Monstrous as is the conduct of
,ur Tennessee political Adventures, we
10 not insist on the course we have sug-
rested. We dislike social ruptures, do
nestle feuds, but ten times more do we
lislike those who stalk with iron-clad
Ieel over the sacred rights of citizen
hip, while they fattes and grow rich
Ipon the sweat that streams from the
rows of wronged and toiling people.