Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-19
PUBLIC LEDGER.
THE APPEAL AND THE POLICY
Of THE PEOPLE.

darkness and is cropping round, holding
ON to anybody's coat-tail that may be IN
reach. This is usually the case whenever
in the history of politics, as in the course
of nature, things change and new issues
arise, which require little native ability
to determine the best course to steer
This paper has no particular policy OF Its
own. but gathers from the files of its ex-
change list string of nonsense, and
the same is carefully culled and repub-
lished as good sense and expediency. 1t
eudeayors to hide the real question BY
aiming it over with few pet phrases
and doubtful expressions, such as this, IN
speaking of the men who should be can
didates for the Legislature we
cannot consider the claims of any who
do not reach the standard Of fitness which
the people have erected" Well, we will
indorse that; but what is the standard
the people have indicsted2 Can the APP
uealinform u upon this important mat
ter2 For really If the people have raised
a standard of excellence for such as will
receive their support in the next canvass,
then we plead ignorance and want OF
knowledge of the fact No, the people
have not spoken on this subject, but the
Appeal would persuade the ignorant that
such is the case, and in proof gives the
published opinions of few numbskuil
editors, who might win more glory, per
haps, in welding plowman's whip than
the editorial pen. These are the men
who would like to speak for the public
and oppose convention of the people,
under pretense that such assemblies
ure not the people themselves gathered
in council. The old fossil saysit has the
utmost confidence in the people, and
therefore will oppose conventions
Such transparent demagogism and hum
buggery is plain to the very news boys,
who might cry it on the streets it 1t was
not thing so common that the public
have ceased to be interested in hearing
it. How will we determine, save by con-
yautioa, what the desires Of majority
are in the coming contestf Every one
may have his personal preference as to
q candidate, but all cannot be elected,
aud we must forego such feeling and
concentrate upon some one for each
office to be filed, If the Conservative
ticket would be elected. 1t is the sheer
est nonsense to say that Convention
appointed by the people from among
themselves to do certain specific acts is
not the people performing what they
would have done. Conventions are called
az legislative bodies are elected, to trans
act the business Of the people as their
agents, which they in collective capa-
city CANNOT do themselves. If the
Appeal has any special preferences
for men, why not speak out boldly
and advise the public7 Or would il
dodge the question by writing 6 letter over
the signature Of MANY Voters, as has
been frequently the practice in political
campaigns Will this sheet inform the
public who it will have on the senter
ticket-whether Democrat or RadicAl7
As il has Endorsed the course of the Nsst'
vile Banner, we look for nothing more
than complete conversion to the Radi
cal side and happy union on the Radi'
cal platform. This blind old bard Of sew
eraI generations back, has, in its dotage,
concluded that there is no politics
in this contest, but says it ID
purely a question Of enfrsnchisemen'.
Well, who would have thought in A
second Solomon sent on earth to expound
the law and teach Radical gospel. How
is it that this very foundation right oI
ours-the privilege to vote-is not q
question for political consideration u
a surety, this is the leading issue Of tia
present canvass, and about which there
is the incest wirepulling between aspi
rants for political honors. The wore
politics has broad aud comprehensive
meaning, and may include each ant
every right of the citizen. But enougI
about such nonsense. The people haE
declared 10 have q convention, aud tn
thing will be done.
The Radical War Plot.