Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-29
PREsERyATIoR OF THE PEACE.

In view of all the facts, as disclosed in
Mayor LoAand's letter to the Sheriff,
and of Col. Beaumonts special order,
and that U. S. forces will be present in
case Of an emergency, we can but en-
dorse the Mayors request to Sheriff
Winters that he will withdraw, or not exc
cute his call for posse. We think such
an additional force will be entirely un.
necessary, and even If needed, will be
produced instantly on the call Of the
Mayor or the Superintendent of police.
1t will not do to have two heads to the
force or forces, which must, of necessity,
act together, for the conservation of pub
lie and individual security on election
day; and as we already have one, with
out entering into the question what are
the rights and powers of the Sheriff, we
hope he will withdraw his CALL at the re-
quest of the Mayor To persist in it, if
it means seperate and Independent or
ganization under his own lead, might
endanger collision among the friends
of good order themselves, involving a
graver danger than any other which
seems at all imminent Even, however,
should Sheriff Winters decline any for
NAL recall of the step taken, knowing, as
we do, he is a true friend of order, and
has no desire by any action Of his own
to embarrass other authorities, we must
believe his course will be such as to avoid
injury as emanating from himself The
object of the order to his deputies, we
suppose to be nothing more than this, to
have a sufficient number OF men enrolled,
and therefore ready to act at a moments
warning, if necessity should arise not
really to place any men under arms,
until actually such state of things
should have arisen as to call for the ut
most exertion of every sworn peace Off.
Ger, and then to act only in aid Of the
city police. The Sheriffs language to
capture or dispense opposing forces, "
was Quotation of the words of the law
under which he protested to act, and
therefore we take it for granted, was
never intended as an intimation that he
would act in sntagonism to the Superin'
tendent of police or any other friend OF
order
We wish to be understood in these
remarks as no partisan for either party,
and as ltting in no partisan spirit
Though We would have preferred, under
all the circumstances, that Sheriff Win
ters had omitted bis call, we think he
deserves commentator, rather than
censure, for acting, ns he doubtless has
done, in accordance with bis own con-
viotions Of duty. Aud on the other hand
We will concede the same commendation
70 Superintendent Beaumont But we
must also add an expression Of our
regret that he should have coupled his
manifesto ofthis.morning with illusions
70 the past war, the incidents Of which,
o. bringing in contrast the conduct or
chivalry Of Federals and Couiederhies
being calculated 10 irritate, should, FOR
present purposes. have been ignored
The Commissiouer should not even seem
20 say Crack your whip, Mr. Sheriff,
sd seme on have bayOneis and blue
eoais enough 70 take care Of yoar hfteeu
hundred" Bot lei The whole thing 80, a.
characteristics Of human fraily' rather
than Of any i,-a intentions On either
sids. And lei citizen, soldier and oaicer
have DO, one mind, hat the peace SHALL
RE EEFT.