Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-01-01
Address to the Conservative Voters Of
Memphis.


A time has at last arrived when the
issue, so long delayed, is to be made.
Whether white men are to rule in this
city whether we are to be governed by
negroes through unprincipled and v.ru-
lent partisans, and our city government
to be put under the management of men
notably leaders of the negro element,
Radical in all their tendencies, and en-
tirely under the manipulation Of gi-
gantie monopoly.
Are negroes to govern, or white men
The answer is plain and must be given
by you at the ballot-box on the day OF
election.
Too long have we suffered under the
control of Radical politicians. Our State
affairs, in hopeless confusion, are en-
tirely at the mercy of the class you are
called upon to oppose at the ballot box,
and our city and county are we'll nigh
bankrupt by the same management.
Taxation has swelled to sum beyond
the ability Of our best men to pay, and
our city, prey to the worst elements OF
society, is overrun with bad men, whose
violence, winked at by Radical Judicial
and other ofiiceholders, has brought OPP
probium upon the city and so endau-
gered the interests of every man in this
community.
The property-holder, the merchant,
the mechanic, laborer and professional
man are all bound by ties of sympathy
and interest to vote the Conservative
ticket.
Do not be deceived by the advice OF
designing men, active in the interest OF
Mr.. Fitch. They will tell you that there
is no possibility of electing our can
didate. Pay no attention to them. De-
termine that, win or lose, you will
perform your whole duty, and vote the
Conservative ticket.
No true man will measure his prin-
ciples by success, or be guided by sue
cess in the support of party. That is
the conduct only of the weak, the dema-
gogue and the time-server.
We do not ask you to vote for men
merely, but measures, policy and the
ascendancy of our race.
Remember the elections of last year.
Remember the poor black men herded
like cattle to the. shambles, driven to the
polls and forced to vote for the men OF
Radical selection. Remember that it is
the Radical Legislature and their APP
pointees who have fastened upon us all
that is odious, burdensome and intoler-
able of State, city and county legislation.
And remember that to vote for any man
in sympathy with that party is to vote
the perpetuation of their powers and
influences.
The people Of the Northern States
look to us to do something for ourselves
That they are in sympathy with us the
late elections prove. Give them your
vote for the substantiation of the Con-
sentative party and the election of the
Conservative ticket
DR.. Leftwich, our candidate for Mayor,
has been tried. True to principle, up
right in his dealings with his fellow
men, devoted to the interests of Memphis
and the State of Tennessee, and expe-
rienced in public affairs, we feel we can
present him to you for your suffrages,
confident that not only your votes will
be given, but your every exertion will be
made in his behalf
OF the other candidates we need not
speak. They are known to you, and
will, we ask and hope, have your indorse-
ment at the polls.
Quietly, decently and orderly, work
at the several polling places. Be not
content with deppsiting your own vote,
but go after your Indifferent friends, and
make them also vote. Look well to
your interests, and do your whole duty.
By order Of the Executive Committee
of Memphis.
r. d. BAUGH, Chairman.
]. NJ. HEATING, Secretsry.s