Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-13
PUBLIC LEDGER.
LARGRST CITY CIRCULATION.
EMPHISs
wednesday Evening. Feb. IS, 1867
A snoIAL QUESTION.

u
To be at war with the society in which
one lives, is a bold and desperate situa-
ton; but when dozen or two plot the
overthrow of the civil rights of a great
community, there is something amazing
in their effrontery. And yet We see
around us little cluster of men who
boldly deny to this community the right
to vote and sit as jurors Claiming
everything for themselves, they accord
to the people nothing but the bust
ness of bearing the burdens and
pampering them in Office. 1t is
matter of astonishment, first, that
men will attempts role SO dangerous,
and second, that they are permitted to
succeed. Take the prominent leaders OF
the Radical party in Tennessee, and tell
us who they are. Two thirds of them are
foreigners and Yankees who came South
during the war to make money. Very
few of the cid citizens have Joined them.
Most of those who have, we're con.
nected in some way or other with
the rebellion. They shifted their
ground and became intolorant of those
who remained true to their principles.
Stokes is one Of this number. He boasts
Of having changed in day. How long
it required to effect the change of others,
is best known to themselves. But taken
altogether, they would not afford popula
ton enough to entitle them to form a
State government, or apply for admis-
sion into the Union. Yet, they claim
eight members of Congress, all the State
offices, ard the right to disfranchise
those upon whom representation is
based The meeting on Saturday was
in favor of negro suffrage, and white
exclusion - exclusion of every man
who lent his aid or his sympathy to the
South. The negroes, say these politi-
clans, are bctterthan the rebels and their
friends. This city is composed of rebels
and their friends, therefore the negroes
are better than the white population.
Very well, then, let these men not pre-
sumo to associate with the rebel element
Let them mingle with those whom they
think better 1t is not noble to proscribe
a man and then seek to enjoy his friend
ship and society We do not think the
prescribed should countenance such
proceeding. Political utilization with the
negroes should be followed by personal
association. Why not Should our
rulers affect to look down upon those
whom they have elevated, and who are
expected to elevate them ? But the main
points, the rebel element, denied politi
cal and civil right, and therefore brand
ed as infamous, should hold no personal
relations with the prosecutors. Selfres-
pect should dictate this course Even
the leading Radicals at Washington hold
this class Of men in contempt Why
SnOulu tHe ItUel eieueub duHlic tnchi4
A Washington letter says: 1.-THE
Radicals, in private conversation, do not
hesitate to express their contempt for
men Of Southern birth who are hanging
to their skirts for place and plumber
/ heard very prominent one the other
day affirm, with an oath not quite proper
to be repeated to ears polite, that he
would sooner touch pitch than The
hand of Bond, your recreant
Judge. The compliment was paid
in the way of assigning reasons for re-
fusing to be introduced to the Judge
upon his recent visit here. 1t is one of
the most offensive necessities of party,
said the same gentleman, that men ca
pable Of betraying their section, their
fellow-townsmen, their neighbors, their
very flesh and blood, for mere Office and
its emoluments, should, to advance party
ends, be permitted to contaminate the
society Of gentlemen. :" III u