Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-13
Conservatives should Rally Under One


We regret to see in the Natchez Cou,
rier the statement that there is lack OF
unity and harmony among the Conserva.
tives of Mississippi The reasons assigned
for il are not creditabe to the good judg-
ment and patriotism of those who are
chargeable with creating the divided
sentiment alleged TO exist Our readers
will remember that we announced last
month that at meeting Of the Democ-
racy aud Conservatives Of Mississippi,
at Jackson, the two organizations of the
| State-the Democratic and the Consti-
tutional Union--had united under one
name, that of the Democratic party. The
two organizations had the same end in
view, and only by CO. operation could
hope TO succeed in defeating Radicalism
and negro government in the State.
Having but one object to gain, there
was practical wisdom in forming
one organization which should EN-.
brace Conservatives of every name in the
State who were animated by the common
purpose to defeat the Radical Constitu-
ton and rescue the State from impending
political destruction. There was also a
practical wisdom in finging to the breeze
the banner of the Democratic party, since
in all the Northern States all Conserva-
tives battling against the Radical Con-
gressional policy which dominates Mis-
sissippi are rallying under the same ban
ner and fighting as integral portions Of
the grand Democratic army. There are
but two parties in the land-the Demo-
cratic and the Radical If the former
does not triumph there is no salvation
for the South from the perfect accom-
pishment Of Radical plans. For such
salvation the Conservatives of the ten
States are absolutely dependent upon the
success of the Northern Democracy.
And the latter can only hope to succeed
by cordial union with it Of all who
realize the necessity of overthr awing the
Radical party, if the country is to be
saved. Here in Missouri, Old Line
Wings, Conservative Republicans and
Democrats are united body under one
nsme-the Democracy. In several
Southern States we notice the same
patriotic union of all citizens of all party
names. And yet it appears that there
are some Conservatives of Mississippi
whoare opposing the action Of the con-
vention which unified the Conservative
forces of the State, upon the poor,
frivolous pretext that they cannot call
themselves Democrats" Such an excuse
for breaking up the harmony Of Con.
servatism in that State cannot be digni-
fed with the name of reason or argument.
1t is folly. In matter of this sort what
is a mere name2 What is there in the
name Democrat to frighten an Old Line
Whig or a Republican who contends
against Radicalism, when that name in
the campaign of 1868 is simply the rail-
lying cry of the three millions Of white
men who struggle for the safety of the
Constitution and the Union 1t is q
term which symbolizes opposition to the
destruction of the Constitution and to
negro domination in the South, and it
is q party name which the vast majority
of the three millions have assumed as
party name. Why should the journals
named by the Courier, or the gem
tlemen named by it, create divisions
where union is necessity, upon no more
meritorious ground than the one named :?
If defeat and disaster are the conse-
quence of divisions created for no better
reason, then the time will never come
when the authors of such divisions
should be forgiven by the great national
party which they wrong This is no or
dinary contest in which the nation is en-
gagged. Party names have nothing to do
with it. 1t is conflict between the
champions of constitutional government
and the revolutionary party which has
already practically overthrown it. 1t is
life and death struggle. And when in
such an emergency, as the Courier rep
resents, it seems that party jealousies
are at work in Mississippi, aud muir
murings are heard because one set OF
men "now rule the party" and another
set are "left in the cold" it appears to
those at a distance as though those thus
described had lost their senses and grown
crazy, vsluing party names more than
substantial victory over common foe.
That there is peril in divisions occa'
stoned by such folly, the Courier sees,
and says: "The bundle of rods could
not be broken; each separate twig will
be easily crashed by tte strong arm OF
Radicalism. Missouri Republican.