Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-29

| teT lTOm Reullctnhu III NcW Il VIA w
his friend in this city we publish, as
showing a Northern view Of the situa-
tion. The writer is Republican, not of
the extreme Radical wing: a,
"The vote in Ohio, on the negro suf-
frage question, is felt by the Radicals
hereabeuts to be decidedly damaging to
their pet project of forcing impartial
suffrage upon all the States, and upon
Maryland and Kentucky especially, by
the enactment of national law regu-
lating the elective franchise. Could
this question be submitted directly to the
American people, it would, no doubt, be
condemned by an overwhelming ma.
jority. But Congress, as now consti-
tuted, can, and probably will, act
affirmatively upon it. How the Repub-
lican members from Ohio and Connec-
ticut, in which States the people have
so recently voted adversely to such a
measure, can support it, remains to be
seen. This question. and that new and
important one of converting bonds into
currency, and thereby reducing and
eoualizing taxation, must determine the
next Presidential election. All other
questions must subordinate to these; and
Judging from the well known proclivities
and characteristics of poor human ma
ture, no doubt can exist how the dear
people will vote upon the latter question
in particular. 1t is not very compli-
mentary to say it, but the injustice to be
done the bondholders will hardly be con-
sidered. The idea of paying such enor-
nous taxes while certain monied
class is exempt, is more than the com.
mon people can be reconciled to. And as
the Democratic party have taken the lead
on this question, if they did not originate
it, they have undoubtedly the inside
track, and must win tho next President
ial run, if they do not have out that
treacherous, unriderable old nag A.
j. But this will hardly be thought Of,
judging from the proceedings of the
recent Democratic conventions and the
tone of the Democratic press. AS you,
of course, are aware, the great or
gan of the party, the New York
World, ignores him an toto, while the
late convention of that great State
passed him by in silent contempt l
know, as a choice of evils, you support
the present Executive; but it cannot be
that man who has been so recreant to
principle and party, can be your first,
or second choice. His recent course
towards the South meets, of course, with
your approval but we sometimes like
the treason while we despise the traitor.
AS have said, the right of Congress to
regulate the elective franchise in the
several States, and the expediency of
taxing bondholders (for this is the sum
and substance of the question: will be
the two great issues in the next Presi-
dental election, and if the condition of
the public pulse can be inferred from
local pulsations, or if there be anything
in the general signs of the times, the po-
sition which the LEDGER has assumed on
both these questions will be maintained.
The Importance of the Presidential elec-
ton of '68 can hardly be overestimated.
By it something like stable, fixed
policy will be established and God grant
it may be wise and just policy.
But be not deceived by the recent
elections. Though decidedly encoura-
ging to the Conservatives, the vote in
none of the States involved anything
like direct issue between the President
and Congress. Even Ohio, which gave
so large a majority against negro suf'
frage, would, doubtless, give still larger
majority against Andrew johnson per se
Congress, with all its faults, is still be-
lieved by majority of the American
people to be loyal, at least while Andrew
johnson is believed to be dishonest, if
not disloyal But Andrew johnson will
hardly be taken into consideration in the
next Presidential contest, and before
that day arrives the great inconsistency
and manifest injustice of forcing negro
suffrage on the South, while it is not
tolerated in States of the North, will be
realized by all rational men. In conclu-
sion, had you and the power, we would
immerse all, both North and South, in
the river Lethe, and start anew; hoping
for good, but expecting evil. One plank,
at least, in framing the organic law, we
would have sound; aud that is the cleo
ton. Education and intelligence should
be the condition precedent to the exer
else Of that franchise In other words,
those who could not read or write,
whether white or black, should be de-
barred the right of voting"
0thello in Utah.
Ata Mormon theater, not long ago,
they played Othello "0thello" was rep