Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-02
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The New York Times and Cincinha'
Comnereial protest against the phrens
into which the more extreme papers
sach as Forneys, the Chicago iFfbun
and the ST Louis Democrat, are workin
themselves against the man they ca
ANDREW Johnson, by the wrath Of God
President" They make the same CON
plant against the expression an
advice of his more resolute friends an
supporters They want everybody
keep cool and talk softly, while the wor
Of usurpation goes on, and the Govern
ment is going to pieces under the pres
sure Of the Rump, so that extremists OF
either side shall do nothing to haste'
the denouement. They deplore the fac
that the tone of the press, on one sid
and the other, has the appearances OF tn
abolition press of the North and tn
secession press of the South, in 1861
and that members of Congress tall
about the Grand Army Of the Republic
on the one hand and millions on tn
| other rushing to arms. They stigmatiz'
| il all as atrocious, and insist that il i
everybody's duty to talk Mandy pamb,
softness. They say there is nothing nov
before the country but great question
of law, which the President seeks anc
has right to test, and that the lllinoi'
Governor Oglesby's message backing ~
Cons ress, is all gasconade and ill-hmed
on the one hand, and the solemn as
surances Of Mr.. Brooks that the people
will not submit to the usurpations OF
Congress an atrocity on the other. "
We confess we like genuine con-
servatism. We heartily agree that it is
the part Of good citizen, on ordinary
occasions, to do nothing to add to pre-
yailing excitement. But, on the other
hand, we never could see good reason
for condemning Patrick Henry tor his
determined and seemingly perilous utter
ances. when the tinid and the fearful
around him we're crying "beefl beefF
and when, with his bold manliness, he
trenched on the verge of treason. When
shall a man speak out the determined
language of great and courageous soul,
if not when usurpers run riot in the legis-
lative halls of his country, and bands OF
tyrants conspire to trample down the
Constitution, which freemen hold sacred
as the palladium of republican libertyf
The tyrants themselves rave in the Con-
eressional halls, and the country rings
with their lying charges, and possibly
potent threats against the patriot Presi-
dent, who stands as the only barrier be-
tween themselves and the completion OF
their work of infamy. Shall the people
invite the accomplishment by remaining
timidly still, while the Internal work of
demolition goes on2 Is tito be believed
that all this is mere pastime and farce ?
Is it time for that conservatism which
cries peace peace" when that work
is in the rapid process Of accomplish
ment2 Or is it the right time for the use
of that outspoken English, from people
determined to be free, which will give the
eonspirators against the life of the re-
public warning that they are hourly en-
dangering and fastening bloody issue,
from which there is no escape but in re-
treat, and cause the Catiline leaders to
think once more before they venture to
precipitate it on the country
We think that observance of the policy
recommended by the before mentioned
journals, instead of warding off and
averting present danger, will have the
effect of inviting a complete accomplish
ment, and the realization of our worst
fears. 1t will result like the Confederate
policy of striking few offensive blows,
lest we should enrage our enemy, and
end in defeat as that did. If there is
ever a time when resolved men should
keep back nothing of their whole minds
it is at the very inception of cowardly
outrage. Instead of timid counsels, this
is the time for intelligent, firm and
courageous resolves; which are out
spoken, because they are preventive and
necessary, and intended to be executed.
Instead of hushing up the excitement,
which is beginning, with the strongest
reason and with ample cause, to pervade
the country, the whole people of America
should be aroused with vigor to the real
and impending danger. They should
meet en- masse, through all the towns and
villages of the yet remaining free States
of the Union, and speak as they may
dare, in language that may be needed.
1t is astonishing to US that men OF SO
large sense as the editors of these Jour-
nails should call for peace, peace, when
the liberties of the American States are
in such imminent peril which is all the
greater the more it is disguised from view.
Let the war of words 60 on, and the ele-
ments rage with their utmost violence.
On such conditions alone is liberty to be
preserved to the American people. 1t
may be lost. But that loss will never be
caused by fair warning and stirring APP
peals to the masses Of citizens.
Whether we are on the verge Of the
greatest revolution hitherto made known
in the annals of time, and which will in