Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-26

common benefit OF the state, as All ieg's'
lation should be, but for the purpose o.
rewarding its fayorites, Strengthening
its party, and crushing especially the
country press. which in great part and
more than that of the cities, depends
upon that kind Of patronage Tor
its support. The fact that weekly
papers have in our prosperous
times, been supported in almost
every county of every State, is con
elusive as to the fact Of their utility, mus
recognized in the public demand for
them. They are in truth necessity
The chief and perhaps the most interest
inc mart of the daily occurrences in the
country of local interest will reach the
people through the county weeklies, or
not at all. The thousand items with
which the city papers now TEEN and give
the people of the counties information,
would never be seen without the press in
the country localities, from which they
are taken. From the city press alone
what is going on 10 the great hearts and
centres of the world may be learned.
But great deal of what is OF still nearer
interest and home concern will never see
the light IL the country press is allowed
to 90 under. 1t is therefore matter. OF
great moment that press should be sus-
tanned as the vehicle Of Information;
giving as it does all the substance of the
more vitality important news, besides ia
cilitating trade, knowledge ofthe courts
and their proceedings, the execution Of
process and sales Of property, and furnish
ing vast amount of valuable and inter-
esting information. And now that we are
on the eve Of "a great election, on which
hangs the destines Of the country for
years, we need every aid possible, aud
not a single Democratic candle should
be allowed to 60 out.
The press as a moral lever is one OF
such infinite potency that even the
Nashville blockheads fully appreciate its
Importance. And they are seeking, &C.
cordingly, with the skill Of irst-rate
roguss, to build il u . in their own interest.
And when they have done it, if they
could fully succeed, it would be better
that wet blanket wss put over the sun,
aud that ali light should be shut out by
the ediet of despot. The information
they give may then suit slaves, but 1t will
be food on which men cannot live free
men. The Radical interest in this mat
teris threefold, that of rewarding men
fit only to be tools of tyranny, Of pun
isbing its most effective antagonists,
and of hiding the truth and their OVID
infamies from the public scrutiny The
Conservative interest is also threefold,
that Of justice TO friends and defenders
of protecting the true interests OF the
whole people in possessing full knowl'
edge of what concerns them at home,
and of defending the great principles oil
the patriot, the Constitution and true
liberty. ~ "a "a eT
II is, Therefore, plain duty and a wise
direction that the Conservative Demo
cratic press of the South should be sus-
tanned, even in time Of common dis
tress, and if need be at heavy sacrifices,
We trust that our country friends will
not falter in this matter, aud leave the
victory to the despot. II is the despot s
death blow to liberty, if it succeeds. Ii
must not be ignored as an unimportanl
consideration. 1t is one of magnitude
80 great that he who has but his own
hands and his pillow should give or
promise each his mite with tneaenerey
and resolution Of patriot, who, resolved
to be free, will spare no exertlon re-
auisite to the protection of the means TO
freedom. When the enemy has sup
pressed the country press, and substi-
tuted his own, given to lying, pail oil
darkness will enshroud this lard, and
we shall indeed be no more free, in
tellig tent and governing people.
These thoughts are suggested BY read
ing in several of our country exchanges
complaints that they are but poorly sup
ported, and the indications that many
may have to succumb. Let every noble,
whole-souled and generous Conservative
and Democrat swear to sustain against
the instruments of tyranny the free press
of his State. The following we take
from the valuable weekly, the Morristown
Tenn Gazette. Let not such appeals
90 unheeded;
If our people-the white men of Ten
nessee, we mean-are not wholly un-
mindful Of thsir interest and duties, they
will give an irnme6iste aud liberal sup
port to their newspaper presses. The
Radical Legislature has done all in its
power TO crush out Conservative papers
by forbiddiug the publication Of all legal
advertising in any except few papers
Of their own stamp, which have no circu.
latiOn in the county, except among
their own "bummers and carpet-bag
men" Its effect has been already e
stop the issue Of one capital paper Al
Winchester, and we hear Of others which
will suspend unless they are better
backed by their people. And it will b,
so all over the State unless our Whit
people open their purses, and give then
a paying support. Out upon the uarrov
stinginess Of withholding the p.ltry SUI
of two or three dollars from the main
tenance Of a county paper. Il is par