Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-01-14
THE MARCH ELECTIONS.
Something About the Forth
coming Convention.

The March election is coming in
apace, aud Il is time the Conservatives
we're going to work in manner that
means business. Not by blathering
about this or that man, or merely desig-
mating day for a convention, but or
ganizing, rolling up their sleeves, and
striking Radicalism every way and every.
where from the shoulder, as if they meant
to crush it into the earth and strangle it..
We observe that the Executive Commit
tee have moved in.the matter Of appoint
ing time for convention to nominate
candidates. So far, so good; but on
what basis is this convention to be held
Is it to be an assembage which any one
who chooses to do so can pack in his own
interest; or is it to be a fair, square con-
test, in which all parties shall have a
chance to show the faith that is in them 7
There is more in these questions than
come think, and others may care to hear.
They are the pivot on which the Con-
sentative veal in the spring election
turns. IL matters are worked fairly, to
the satisfaction of all fair.minded men,
the victory is already ours. 1t a
few cliquers manage to control by steal
ing forced marches ON those who will
not stoop to tricks, endless chickering's,
contentious, defeat, will be the result.
In writing this we have no men in DER
minds eye, but some of the iarces that
have transpired in the ranks of both par
ties, within easy recollection, make us
shudder for any repetitions so far as oc-
own party is concerned.
Somehow beautiful and never-suH'
ciently.to. be-admired custom has found
its way into the Conservative ranks-of
candidates adhering to the action of con-
ventions if nominated, and telling con-
ventions to 90 to the ID if not nom
mated. This custom does so much to
create confusion in the solid ranks Of
the enemy and confidence in eur own,
that we are lost in admiration, and can
not sufficiently express astonishment at
the failure of some one to file caveat
FOR patent. This is the way Martin
Kelly happens not to be City Tax COL
lector, and various other gentlemen hap
pen not to fill sundry Offices to whose
honors and emoluments they had no dis.
tressing objection. Are we to have more
Of this in the March contest2 If so, the
necessity of holding any convention and
laboring for triumph is not visible to
the undressed optic. Beautiful as is the
custom, we are not welded to it to sufi-
ciently advocate its continuance.
To return to plain matter-of. fact
that after all, being the only thing that
will win-what shape is this convention
to Jake One so-cailed convention,
which represented nobody and nothing,
was recently done away with when
exposed, and another, which the people
recognized, called; and its labors were
crowned with victory. And it may as
well be understood in advance that any
other similar humbug will be similarity
disposed, no matter by whom engineered.
| There are number of valuable Offices to
be filed, and for each several Conserva-
tive candidates will be before the public.
Some have already entered the race.
All should and must have as fair show
! ing as their strength warrants. Each
will have the support Of certain interests,
and it behooves the Conservative party
to see that no tricks are allowed by
which some may be unfairly thrust in and
others unfairly thrust out.
Why do not our Conservative candi-
dates announce themselves subject to
the decision of the Convention" 1t is
either because of determination to run
anyhow, or lack of confidence in the
fairness of that body's deliberations.
Whatever the cause, the fact is not
pleasant; for it points with an ugly hand
to repetition of former scrub races
and probable defeat.
There is no necessity for this if our
County Convention prove what it should
be, AID what it must be, to beat Shelby
county Radicalism. At the primary
meetings to be held in the different civil
districts, great care should be taken that
the friends of every candidate have a
chance, in order that, where delegates
are :" instructed no one can bring
a charge of unfairness. There must be
an equitable basis, which even the sim
plest will readily recognize. Then, after
fully developing their strength, those
failing to secure nominations in the Con-
Misunderstanding first been pledged to
support the nominees-must withdraw.
Let it but be within the power of the
press to demonstrates that beaten candi-
dates before the Convention were beaten
fairly, and we do not fear the efforts of
those who choose to remain in the field
Or should any, through fear, decline to
participate in the Convention, the result
will be the same.
There was a time when packed con-
ventions and the intriguing of WORKOUT
party hacks would be accepted without
question; but it passed away long ago.