Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-24
ADDRESS OF THE CLEVELAND CON-
VENTI0N.

The address adopted by the Cleveland
convention is paper great power, and
ia creditable TO the intelligence Of its
authors. Its style is logical, calm, aud
we think its conclusions unanswerahle.
Though we may not indorse all that II
contains. or commend certain forms OF
expressing what are generally admitted
TO be facts, we must still regard II as a
paper calculated TO exert a great and
timely influence. The strong point it
makes is that which we have frequently
alluded to: the war for the recovery OF
an imperiled Union is failure unless
legislation shall go through the forms of
cementing it again. In regard 10 the
charge that the South will not abide by
its pledged faith, the address says;
But we do not believe the people OF
the South. will violate the good faith
which they have pledged to US La the
National Union Convention OF Phlladel-
phia more than three hundred Southern
delegates, holding influential positions
at home, claiming 10 represent, and as
we believe, actually representing con
stituencies who can make good their
promises, cordially cO-operated with the
North in pledging that Convention
and the people that the public debt
should forever remain sacred that
the insurrectionary debt should not be
paid, and that the rights of the freedmen
should be protected We believe that
the men who made these pledges will
keep them. But especially as soldiers,
who know the character OF their late OPP
ponents, we believe that the soldiers of
the South, men who have endured so
bravely and constantly the trials and
privaiions Of four years Of war, are, de-
spite the error Of their cause, men of
personal honor and selfrespect, and that
they will never permit the communities
in which they dwell TO violate promises
given in the most solemn form.
We hold, then. that no reason has been
given which can justify adherence 10 the
course which has been proposed by Con-
eress, and further continuance Of the
present unhappy condition Of the conn
try. If the same class of men who have
established this policy shall be returned
to the next Congress, that condition will
grow worse for two years longer Who
can estimate the evils which shall mean
time have befallen the races in those
communities as well as ourselyes2
The closing sentence of this extract is
not an emanatioR from one who is at
tempting to make a point by appealing
TO the fears of the people. 1t is the Ian
guage of soldiers who have faced the
perils of war, and are moved by no un-
manly apprehension. What they per
ceive in the distance as likely to befall
the country, is suggested, rather than
announced. But that they apprehend
the most serious consequences from the
success of the Radical party in the APP
preaching elections, is not disguised. In
reference TO the constitutional amend
ment, we have this language;
The effect Of these utterly disconneet-
ed propositions is made TO depend upon
the acceptance or rejection Of the whole
Ii seems incredible that those who in
sisted upon thus connecting them could
have expected that they would be rati-
fed. The Southern people, after follow
ing their political leaders into the late
struggle, and sharing the risk Of their
fate through four years Of terrible war.
are called upon to aid in the prescription.
Whatever punishment their leaders may
have deserved at the hands Of the Gov
eminent, It is unintelligible that states
men should have dreamed Of asking their
associates and followers to intiict that
punishment upon them, especially pun
ishment Of lasting disgrace, more terrible
than any which the Government itself
is authorized to impose. IT, in the
midst of their errors, the people Of the
South retain the ordinary fidelity OF
comrades in arms to each other, the
common sentiment Of honor which rules
ali companionship, they viii not volun-
tarily desert the men whom they have