Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-09-17
.rA,LTumEs ACT FOR THE BEST.

The same general rules th"' so'e
individual success will apply to parties
and Governments in the achievement OF
orsat results. If an individual would
s,aeavor to accumulate wealth upon the
oas, of a die or the turn OF a card, he may
or NAV not be successful. If lucky IN
winning the stake, the next moment ne
n,obably NAV venture all and lose all. A
man who thus toys with fortune can never
be sa;d TO be in the enjoyment OF perma-
nont wealth. Conservatism in the business
afra;rs Of life ia no more important than IN
the political acts and doings OF parties Ii
snecnlation and the desire to experiment
sbou,d take possession OF the minds Oh
nariy leaders, then we cannot safely say
where they may stop. We know BY the
light of history that nation or people
who are restless aud anxious always for
q change of government generally lead
N confusion and anarchy. These can be
ss;d TO be wanting in conservatism,
which preserves from excavation and
ruin existing institutions. Progress and
the democratic idea of protecting we'll
established and well-tried principles OF
government are not inimicable, but 90
hand and hand towards the political goal.
The statesman or politician who en-
deavors to 20 too fast is liable to wreck
~. entire fortunes of the State. AS, for
;n,tauce. when the Radical party are en-
deayoring to force the people OF THIS
country 70 accept negro suffrage, we re-
gard il as suicidal for us to adopt their
views, and endeavor. If possible, to DIS
guet them with their own policy. Grant,
in his inaugural, said that the best way
to get rid of an Objectionable Law was to
eofores Il vigorously. That course, 10
every instance. will not apply in our
Government, for law passed ~ Con-
gress to annoy and degrade the Souih,per-
baus will not affect the North particle.
II. operation may not reach our puri-
tsnical neighbors who would enjoy, with
f;endish delight. the excruciating disgrace
=.ae. yhich the people ofthe South would
he compelled to undergo. If we would
sucaeed, when success could be attained,
let us A. all times act for the beat. and
take no chances on the future. Then IT
would devolve upon the individual and
the States as separate bodies to Settle
each and every question for themselves,
and not be governed in whole by what
Maine or Wisconsin are compelled to do
for their own future interest. 1t is as
serted by the Liberal organs that the
Democracy in some Of the States indorse
negro suffrage, and in some it is opposed.
We do not deny such 10 be the facts;
but we do deny that the Democracy any
where are at heart in favor OF negro
suffrage. II the Democratic party has
seen fit in any Of the States Of this
Union TO insinuate into their platform
the right Of the negro TO vote, 1t is in
consequences of their not being able to
prevent il. Take, for instance, the pitis-
BILE condition Of our Democratic friends
in Mississippi, who are compelled, Of ne
cessiiy, to equslize themselves with the
negro. Il is the temporary recognition,
only, of this Disgrace, by which these
people will be enabled to put the foot OF
the majority upon the neck OF the
impudent and corrupt carpet-bag-
ger. II is the only way out OF their
difficulties, and it is nothing but right
and wise that they should adopt this
course, although il is most distasteful to
the prond chivalry Of the State. But
here is Tennessee, our own home, the
mother Of statesmen and heroes, thai
now has It in her power to get rid Of this
Old Man Of the Sea, who has ridden upor
the back Of the people until life IL
scarcely left IN the body polite, woald
IL not be sensible 10 push of this die
grace entailed upon us BY the war, wher
We can We are called upon to decide
the question Of negro suffrage for eur
selves, and not for the people Of an,
other State, when all Democrats every
where Join in With one accord in con
demning IT, Let us act for the best, an
leave the rest in the hands Of that kin
Father who tempers the winds to th
shorn lamb
The Case In n Nutshell.