Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-14
NEGRO EQUALITY OR IMPERIAL

Our morning cotemporary starts on as
usual, in characteristic style, to show the
difference between the present negro
Government and Imperialism. What
says the Aralanchef "Shall we hail
with delight the substitution of the ear
ache for the toothache2' Ssch elegant
and powerful reason he uses to con-
vince us that we are wrong on great
question of change in the Government
These are his practical ideas about the
great issues that involve the peace,
happiness and the future of forty
millions of his own people. DE
does not endeavor to show in what
respect change Of government would
be Objectionable to this people, but con-
soles himself in assuming the fact that
Imperialism must be equivalent to car
pet-bsgism. We will ask our cotempe'
rary to point out and show US in what he
objects to the new form of government
as suggested by us. We endesvor to be
reasoning and sensible men, and cannot
be content with generaliiies in a decision
to be made fraught with the greatest i'm
portauce to our people. We want the
evils you speak of pointed out the peo-
pie are DESTROYS of information on these
living issues of the day.
The -AralancAe, in speaking of our
friend this morning, says: II living to-
day and not on oficO-holder, he is I'M
doubtedly an Imperialist." Such an
idea, we must say, is perfectly absurd
that the advocates of our faith should be
aspirants for office. 1t is that very
ruinous and corrupt ambition we would
strangle with imperialism. 1t is this
hunt after Office in our late republic that
has opened the Pandora box of
evils, and which fflict US at present. I'm.
.perialism, now, only remains 70 console
us. These old war worn veterans of De-
mocrscy dislike to give up forever
their chances for Office. They delight TO
stand on the corners and at the cross
roads TO talk politics and drink mean
whisky. This has been their life long
occupation, around which cluster fond
memories of the dear past. They watch
with eager hope the return of these
glorious old days, when men can swagger
and shallow-psted politicians talk from
the stump 10 their dear Democratic
friends on the subject of politics, which
they understand little about and the
masses can never appreciate. We have
never held an Office under the Covert
meut, and have no aspirations for the
future. Can our contemporary say as muchf
We suppose not, as it is so well known
by these people who once held the posi-
ton Of Postmaster in our city, II is
also said by some wise sage Of past ages,
that when a man has once tasted the
sweets of public pap it is like being
bit by a mad dog-he never RECEIVERS
from it. Would not our neighbor again
delight to wallow in the swill-tub Of
Office, and will he deny j. 2
Then. again, our contemporary says
"Now, if monarchists we're practical, in.
stead Of desiring to rush into Imperial
ism, which they confess is dernier re-
sort, they would rather seek to correct
the evils that have erept isto the man
aeement of our presen. Government"
This is what our neighbor would have
Us believe practical sense, and that we
are wanting, to q large extent, in that
mueh-needed commodity. Nov, by way
of start of, we would say to our friend: ;
Very well. your suggestion is good one :
but how can it be carried out? How do
you think to bring about this change OF
evil that now weighs down the people and
every important interest in the country 7
You say, by a change Of conductors. Bot
how will you effect the change without
power2 We are all under the foot Of the
carpet-bagger, and there can be no just
appeal made by which our rights may be
Needed. We have struggled for four
years to get loose from the chains that
hind us and our people, and to-day We
are as far from being released as when
peace dswued upon the country.
That the people Of this State wall ever