Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-02
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diers Of the Republic, AZ 'he 9'"'o '"P, -
tai on Saturday, has engrossed no sma'l
share ofattention throughout the country
Though but affecting the interests and
welfare of comparatively small COM
munity, and having but little bearlngpT
SO upon the destinies of the nation, SO
important were the principles involved
and the questions at issue that 1t has
flashed over the wires from Maine 10 tue
GuIf and ELECTED discussion in the pub
lie press. North aud South, scarcely less
exciting or prolonged than did the farce
an a larger scale in August In both
instance. our estimable Governor
was the conspicuous figure and prln'
c;nal actor, and in both he sue
ceeded in carrying his point by much the
same process--that of overriding the law
and depriving the more intelligent and
respectable classes Of their right to par
ticipate in the choice of public servants
There was but one class of rights with
which he had not interfered prior TO the
Nashville election-those vested by IRE
pealable enactmeuts aud inyiolable as
the Constitution itself. 1t was but left
him to trample these in the dust, and the
opportunity of so doing was not permit
led to escape him, This he did on sat
urday, so that he is now completely
master of the situation, with nothing lett
undone which jespot would do, IN the
removal of obstacles that might emIara
him in his mbition to reign untrammeled
by laws and unaccoun.able to the people
The very name of Rrownlow, mentioned
in oonnection with this affair was sig
nal to the country that mischief was
brewing and lent an interest to the whole
procedure which the name OF no other
man on the continent could have ava
kened. No other name would have been
SO suggestive of what was really to
transpire. A cloud 10 the sky would
have been no more portentious OF the
storm. His hand was in it, and no good
could come out oft But even this last,
and perhaps the most unwsrrantable
usurpation, of the many which have dis
Uraced the State within the past four
wears, could add nothing TO the fame of
his excellency or bring upon him any
reproach which has not already been
breathed by crushed and doTn'trodden
people. In this act another has figured
with him however, who may possibly
need an introduction To the public
since his name and fame must be
linked with his patron to immor-
tally. We do not make reference
to the President OF Grant or Thomas, or
vet withal to General Cooper, though no
less personages than these were made to
Gaure in the drama. We refer simply
to A. E. Alden. ESQ, who can, at least,
claim the distinction OF having been
elected to the Office of Mayor under the
most extraordinary combination of cir
cumstances that ever conspired to rem
der such an election historical This
Alden, who has so suddenly sprung into
niche in history, and whose name shall
90 down to future generations as identi-
fed with the public events of the pFeGent
era. who is he2 A native Tennes-
sean? No. Long a resident of the
State? A year or two in these parts
during which time five rascals to one
honest man have immigratcd in this direc-
ton. Interested in the affairs of Ten
nessee, or mora particularly those
Of the city of Nashvlle7 Very deeply
interested, ss the shark is in
his prey A property holder?
Yes, a lot in town which has
never been paid for. A good Radical
All yes, a thorough bred, dyed in the
wool, out aud out, and no mistake,
to the backbone. But,
to be more explicit, the history of this
newly elected Lord Mayor can be stated
in very few words. One of the mongrel
breed of whites of the North, not being
able to maintain an air of responsibility
at home, he recently immigrated hither
to pay homage at the shrine Of negro
supremacy. Soon becoming a pet OF
Brownlow's, and in reward for dirty
work done as the tool of that official, be
was appointed Register for Davidson
county. In this position he soon dis
covered the method for paving his way
to something more permanent and
lucrative by trucking to the igno-
rant and unsuspecting blacks who
his office Being scarcely
so.respectable as a well behaved negro
himself, he was troubled with no nice
scruples III placing himself on level
with his precious colored brethren. In
the leagues and out of the leagues he let
no opportunity slip for securing the
friendship and support of the newly !
enfranchised and on the strength Of a
popularity thus secured he was first
nominated aud then elected (save the
mark to the mayoralty. For his new
Office his only qualification is his thor
ough Endorsement Of the Radical creed,
coupled with brazeu assurance and an
hankering after the loayes
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