Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-11-20

ne opEiukhoiu \ Haeoo'j @ef"''
is one Of the abest and most respectable
of the Republican journals of this ooun'
try. We, therefore, look with somewhat
of interest to the Interpretation it places
on the recent vote of the people. The
Republican should understand the mind
Of its own people. And that paper says
The result of the election, although i
was all that the Republican party could
have asked, was not a triumph OF the
Republican party as distinctive organi-
zatiop. The ticket was not carried In
Pennsylyania or Indiana by the votes of
men who call themselves Republicans, or
would acknowledge any obligation to
vote with the party tomorrow on dill
ferent issue. !,
And If the victory was not achieved
by the Republican party, as a.poliucai
organization, in its own strength and oy
the prestige of its name, no more does II
give that party, as an organization, q
new lease of power. The issue made
before the people, however much politl-
clans may have sought to disguise u, was
that of good administration and q faith
ful execution of the laws. This IS the
only issue decided.
The result Of the election does not IN
dictate q popular approval even OF the
general policy of Congress. The cleo
ton was carried in spite OF the policy.
Had that simple issue been presented,
we very much fear every one OF the tour
middle States would have pronounced
against il. The general policy OF Con-
rress ought to have commanded the sup
port of the people on its own merits,
despite its many defects OF procedure;
but there is great reason to believe
that the people would have been
found wanting under the test, had
this been the issue presented:
II is not difficult to gather the senti-
ments of the men who have turned the
scale, this time, 10 favor of the republi-
can party, and who must be looked to
hereafter to keep it in power. In voting
TO sustain the reconstruction acts,
against the mad designs. of the resc-
tionisis, they have not decided against
a change in those acts. but quite the
contrary. They desire an immediate
amelioration of them in their most otien-
siye features. The Acknowledgement of
any class, or exclusion of any State, for
sct. done in the rebellion. never wise, has
grown to be simply stupid. The limited
disfranchisemen imposed has done harm
and only harm. 1t has not assured
the control of single State IN the
loyal hands. II has lifted the disfrsn-
cbi,ed into undue and unsafe import
ance, and given them 8 title OF re-
spect among their fellew=citisens. To-
ward the General Government 1t has
simply served to annoy and exasperate
all classes, and make violence and negro
intimidation seem something like fair re-
prisaI. Unqualified negro suffrage Is an
other feature that will not bear exsmina-
ton, and must eventually be modified;
but the circumstances Of the situation
are 40 difficult aud peculiar that an Inn
mediate change is not practicable. All
that can be dole hereafter, all, indeed,
that is desirable to ba DONE, 10 20 IN
troduce throughout the country an edu-
cational test, impartial with respect TO
color and sex, by which the suffrage will
be limited to persons OF some lnteili-
gence, shsihcr black, white, red or yel-
low.
- The country feels
poor; the burden of taxation presses
severely on the people. Our industries
need rest and help. It for the Repub-
lican party to decide whether it will do
this for the nation or give the Job up to
other hands.
Our President is all that could be
ssked-earnestly devoted to peace, thor
oughly bent on having good admins
tration, With a great liking for honest
men and an instructive repugnance to
disorder and unfaithfplness in service.
It rests with the Republican majority in
Congress, now happily reduced .elow
two-thirds, to say whether they will fol-
low Grant or be left behind. The couR-
try is going ahead-those who want to
keep up must keep moving.