Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-11-22
Political Parties.

that name will yet create serious dis
sentions among those who who will rally
to oppose Radicalism in 1868. Already
indications of dissatisfaction are being
manifested, and this dissatisfaction
seems engendered by the name Democrat.
The Mtelligencer warns the Democrats
that convention held by them will be to
the interest Of the Radicals, and the
Memphis Appeal, thinks that if a new
party is not formed that many OF the old
Wings will fail TO act with the Democrats.
The Bulletin, too, seems to favor the
formation Of another party. Now, II the
Wing party had continued in existence l
reckon | should have continued to vote
with it; consequently / have no great
partiality for Democracy, as representing
political organization. But were my
dislike to the Democratic party thou
sand fold greater than it was when | was
assisting the Wings to defeat it, should
certainly give no expression to itas long
as the fight lasted between Democracy
and Radicalism. And though it might
conciliate great many to form a great
conservative party embracing all the
opposition to Radicalism, cannot see
any possible good that could be accom-
plished by it, more than can be by the
Democratic party, for the dissatisfaction
that would be produced among Demo
Gratis would more than counterbalance
any favorable influence that might be
exerted among others and the probabil-
tiles are that the attempt to form a new
party would only result in placing two
candidates in the field in opposition to
the Radicals, thus securing their success
And notwithstanding the great prejudice
that many have against the name and
the party, yet all who oppose Radicalism
are Democrats-as much so as Vallan-
digham or Pendleton-as much so as
though they had voted with the party in
every election. Then remember that by
this shall ye know that ye are Democrats,
because you hate the Radicals. Suppose
that the opposition to RadicaGsm were
assembled in convention to-day, under no
particular name whatever, what plat
form would they adopt2 Without
attempting to enumerate all of the
principles that would be adopted by such
body, the most important and momen'
tous one would be that white men must
govern this country. 1t has pre-emlnence
over every other. Like Adams recol-
lection of the fall, it stands alone. There
is nothing to be compared to it. Bonds,
taxes, tariffs, and everything else sink
into utter insignificance when compared
to it. Now, if the Democratic party Is
endeayoring to establish this principle
in our government should we not assist
them, instead of talking about new par
ties-no matter what they may think o.
tariffs and taxes-no matter whether
they wish to pay the bonds in gold ol
currency, or by scaling g"-or whether
they wish to pay them at all or not
so that they establish once and forever
the principle that negroes shall not fill the
offices in this government, and shall not
assist in placing others in chem. But
such conve ution would agree in regard
to some other points. There is not q
doubt but at it would agree that the
bonds should be paid in currency; ano
this doctrine will grow in popu
larity until the day Of the election
Such sensible convention would
also agree that each State should regu
late for itself the question Of suffrage
and that the present interference of Con
cress with the States shall cease.
Suppose the convention, after adopting
these principles, should fall out about
name, would it not seem very ridiculous
Then. if we adopt the doctrines enun
ciated by the Democrats, let us be silent
in regard to names, and wait until matters
of greater moment shall be disposed OF.
But the Appeal alludes to the proscrip-
ton practiced at Richmond toward old
line Wings, and says they would not make
any of them brigadiers; and seems to
think that the Democrats will practice a
like prescription. Now, remember one
or two old line Wings who were made
brigadiers, and made excellent officers
and | remember one or two more who
wanted to be brigadiers or major gener-
ais, who were not qualified for such po-
sition. But are we to take this expression
of the Appeal as an acknowledgment
that its opposition to the Democrats is
owing to the fact that they will not divide
the Offices among the Whigs2 Is the fact
of this or that man holding Office oi
sufficient importance that we shall make
it question and risk dividing and dis
tracing the conservative element of the
country If every Wing in the land
were to do his utmost from now until the
election day closed, and succeeded in
defeating Radicalism, and yet failed to
get a single Office, they would be amply
rewarded in having established the prin'
ciple that white men shall govern this
country, and that States shall manage
their own local affairs to suit their own