Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-08-12

the past few years have given itso much
power that it has been able to shackle
Che Executive, to trammel the judiciary,
and to carry out the views of the most
unwise and violent OF its members.
When this state of things exists in any
party, it has ever been found that the
sober judgments of its ablest leaders do
not control. There is hardly an able
man who helped to build up the Rspub-
llcan organization who has not within
the past three years warned it
against its excesses, who has not
been borne down and forced TO
give up his convictions of what the in
terests of the country called for; or, if
too patriotic to do this, who has not been
driven from its ranks. II this has been
the case heretofore, what will be its &C.
ton now, with this new infusion OF men
who, without q decent respect for the
views Of those who have just given them
their positions, begin their legislative ca
reer with calls for arms-Wlth demands
that their States shall be regarded as 10
q condition OF civil war, aud with the
declaration that they are ready and anx-
iOus to degrade the President OF the
United States whenever they can per-
suaGe or force Congress to bring forward
new articles OF Impeachment? The Re-
publican party, as well as We, are inter
ested in putting some check upon THE
violence. Il must be clear to every
thinking man that division Of political
power tends to check the violence OF
party action, aud to assure the peace and
good order of society. The election of q
Democratic Executive and a majority of
Democratic members to the House of
Representatives, would not give to that
~ mi f.,
sudden or violent changes; but it would
serve to check those extreme measures
which have been depiOred by the best
men of both political organizations. The
result would most certainly lead to that
peaceful restoration of the Union and re-
establishment of frsternal relationship
which the country desires, | am sure
that the best men of the Republican
party deplOre as deeply as do the spirit
Of violence shown by those recently
admitted to seats in Congress from the
South. The condition of civil war
which they contemplate must be horri-
Die to every right thinking man. | have
no mere personal wishes which misIesd
my Judgment in regard to the pending
election. No man who has weighed and
measured the duties of the Office OF Pres
ident of the United States can fail to be
impressed with the cares and tolls OF
him who is 10 meet its demands. 1t is
not merely to float with popular currents,
without policy or q purpose; on the
contrary, while our Constitution gives
just weight to the public will, its distin-
gushing feature Is that il tseeks TO protect
the rights of minOTities; its greatest
glory is that it puts restraints upon
power; it gives force and form to those
M q Y ina nj ~ MS
for which the martyrs of freedom have
struggled through ages; it declares the
right OF the people to be secure in their
persons, houses and papers, against un-
reasonable searches and seizures: that
Congress shall make no Law respecting
an establishment of religion, or the free
exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom
of speech or OF the press, or the right of
the people to petition for redress of
grievances. 1t secures the right of q
speedy and public trial by an impartial
jury"
No man can rigbtfulIy enter upon the
duties Of the Presidential office unless he
is not only willing TO carry out the
wishes Of the people expressed in con-
stitutional way, but is also prepared to
stand up for the rights of minorities.
be must be ready to uphold the free ex-
ercise OF religion. He must denounce
measures which would wrong personal
or home rights, or the religious con-
science OF the citizens of the land. He
must maintain, without distinction of
creed or nationality, all the privileges of
American citizenship. The experience
of every public man who has been faith
ful TO his trust teaches him that no one
can do the duties of the office of Presi-
no 10 ls,Ev 70,
dergo the fa,SehOods and abuse of the
bad, but TO suffer from the censure of
the good, who are misled by prejudices
and misrepresentation. There are no
attractions in such positions which de-
esive my Judgment, when | say that
great change is going on in the public
mind. The mass of the Republican
party are more thoughtful, impartial, and
just than they were during the
eXcitements which attended the pro-
gress and close of the civil war.
As the energy OF the Democratic
party springs from their devotion to their
cause, and not to their candidates, NAV,
with propriety, speak of the fact, that
never in the political history of our ceun-
try has the action of any like body been
haiiedSwith such universal aud wide |
spread enthusiasm as that which has |
been shown ia relation to the position of !
the National Democratic Convention. |
With this the candidates had nothing to |
do. Had any others of those named |
been selected, this spirit would have
been, perhaps, more marked The zeal |
and energy of the Conservative masses
spring from desire 10 make q change of |
political policy, and from the confidence |
that they can carry out their purpose.
10 this faith they are strengthened by |
the cooperation OF the great BODY of !
those who served In the Union army and |
navy during the war. Having given |
nearly sixteen thousand Commissions |
to the officers of that army. I
know their views and wishes. They
demand the Union for which tbey
fought. The largest meeting of |
these gallant soldiers which ever
assembled was held in New York, and !
indorsed the action of the National Com
ventioD' In words instinct with mean |
lngi they called upon the Government |
TO stop IN Its policy of hate, discord and |
dlsunlon, and in terms Of fervid eloquence
they demanded the restoration of the
rights and liberties Of the American peo-
pie. When there is such accord between |
those who proved themselves brave and |
self-sacrlhcing in war and those who are |
thoughtful and patriotic in council, l |
cannot doubt we, shall gain q political !
triumph which will restore our Union,
brihg Dack peace and prosperity to our
iand, and Will give us once more the
dressings of wise, economical and hon.
est Government.
am, gentlemen, truly. yours, etc,
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