Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-25
------------77-7 ~
Throwing HIS Off.

The absorbing ana main polltlcal Issue
in the Western States, is the question OF
payment of the bonds in greenbacks. II
overshadows everything else, and there
fore we have no complaint to make that
our friends there should devote their at
tention to it. But when they go so far
ms to say--as the Illinois State Register
and some others of the Northern press
do--that the deposition of the President,
the admission of Alabama by a negro
vote, the domination of the Southern
States by Sickles, Pope or Hancock,
"are matters of little moment just now"
it seems to us like an exhibition Of in
ordinate selfshness, somewhat peculiar
to that section, and like an abandon
ment of all ,magnanimity, liberality or
Justice toward the South.-Memphis
Ledger.
The LEDGER does us very great injus-
tice. The Register has never held the
deposition Of the President, the admission
of Alabama under a negro vote, or the
domination of the Southern States by
military satraps to be matters of trivial
moment, now nor at any time. Our
voice has been raised forever against
these cruelties and usurpations. We
have expended any amount of invective
and protest and vehement admiration
2 against the mad course of the Radicals
toward the Southern States Scarcely
an issue of the Register but bears evi.
dence of our efforts against the wicked
men at Washington, and their attempts
to degrade and subjugate the Southern
people. That our endeavors have failed
ia matter of deep regret and our misfor-
tune. Nor shall we hesitate in the
future, as in the past, to hold up to
reprobation the fearfully nefarious course
of our opponents, the real enemies of the
peace, prosperity and happiness of the
whole country.
We take the above from the Springfield
Illinois State Register, and most heartily
can we iddorse the truthfulness of its
statement as to the general course of that
journal Hardly dove receive any other
which, for consistent integrity, ability,
and enlightened and patriotic devotion
to the public veal, we can designate as
its equal-certainly none as its superior.
But it was for that very reason that we
were forcibly struck with its allusion to
issues, as side issues, which we regarded
as the most vital Of all. 1t seems now
that we must have been mistaken in our
construction of its meaning, and we are
therefore most happy to make the cor
rection. Perhaps on looking back to its
file the Register will see that there was
that in its language which, by inadyer-
tence or otherwise, may have been the in
nocent cause of such comment as we have
made, from one sensitive to the principles
of justice and the undoubted rights of
the South. 1t is because we respect and
value 1t so highly that we look with q
keen interest to its utteranees, and are
in danger of mistaking where there is
only an appearance of evil Frankness
is often the best practical friendship
And it should be remembered that here
we are helpless under a shameless ty-
ranny, aud look with lively interest to
every word from the great West Not
that we ask aid, other than the privilege
of republican government, and the
right Of enforcing the principles Of the
Constitution, which We desire and are
sworn to support This is denied US BY
the usurping power at Washington, and
we have been patient waiting the day o.
returning reason, when it shall be seer
that the prosperity Of q great nation Il
bound up in justice, fair dealing and the
well being Of every individual State.
The issue Of issues is now whether the
Constitution shall be observed, and We
are pleased with the assurance that the
Re0isfsr regards il %.