Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-03-22
A Northern democrats Notions.

4 n
Nv.
When an irritable man is caught
aaorants deiicfo in reprehensible act,
| he is apt to become indignant. bis
indignation is usually in proportion to
the intensity of the offense. If l charge
him with theft, he will probably want to
shoot me; If / say he is liar, he will
knock me down. il possible. If publish
a time-servinc politician as an apostate,
he will likely denouuce me as "hlred
scribbler," Lying correspondent and a
carpe,-bag vsgrant''-because he has
no ether defense. These are very re-
6ued terms, of course; they denote
gentlemanly instincts, certainly; nice
sense of honor; and a jealous regard for
the decency aud morality of the press.
Being gooi-natured man, and possess
ing Christian forbearance for the i'll
temper of others, forgive this sort OF
thisg, aud take courage in the belief 4
am right, and in the proper way 10 do
good.
The " Official Journal of the City and
Board of School Visitors" is very furious
at the charge of being supporter of
Grants administration. If the charge
was entirely true, its indignation would
be honest and righteous.
don't remember the exact terms or
phrases in which il recently advocated
the ideas contained in the fifteenth
amendment; but / do remember the fact
that il agitsted its bowels 10 q conside-
rable extent over the policy of universal
suffrage. Grant, in his inaugural, en-
tertains the hope and expresses the de-
sire" that the Fifteenth Amendment will
be ratified. Now, to accomplish an end,
we must use of the means most conye-
| pient. II the journal of the largest cir
culatioH is sincere in its receHt pro-
| LESSONS, it will support Grant and his
administration, because that Is the most
convenient means of bringing to fruition
| its lovely theory of inaugurating peace.
| If the negro is made voter, the Indians
| and Chinese-even the women, and, OF
| course. rebels-should enjoy the same
blessed boon. The word unicersat is
broad term, and true definition of 1t
will include everybody. In its restricted
sense, as implied by the Aboliiionists,
/ il includes only the irrepressible African.
In its restricted sense, as implied by the
great newspaper of the Southwest, 1t
includes the irrepressible African and the
equally irrepressible SoutherH rebel.
Grant really, / think, takes the Abolition
view of the question.
Herein consists, principally, the OH
cial journals support of Grants admin
istrstion. If it is honest. it can but ad-
vocate tit il morally bound to do so.
lit goes parallel to its own good, and
the benefit of its beautiful dogma, 1t must
of necessity support the present admin
istration, whatever the derelictions OF
Grant may be-proEidsd be doesn't apos-
tatze on this particular question.
The journal of official facilities, in its
agoniziug etfusion of the Doth inst, ex-
presses the determination ito make no
factious war upon President Grant"
preteuds to have advocated peace aud
urged psci6catiou, and even believed that
Grant q possessed the hnmanities of our
civilization" aud EoId listen to their
sublime lessons, aud could Eos noarish
bstred sgziust rebels. This roseste view
of the matter is very beautiful, and its
rigbteS=s forbearsuce TO make no fac
tious war upoa Grs9t is sublimely benev
| olent But before this g.ne.ors writer
gets half through his article, change
| comes over the spirit Of his inspiration,
and be s.kes an onslaught on Grant that
exceeds even ay criticisms; war so
useless and impotent, that i can only
be considered az the most faptious
that q defeated and disfranchised man
can make. It's petulance about Grants
appointments and the complexion Of his
household, ia sery childish and weak for
Southern man to exniLii, Yhen graver
questions should occupy his attention.
| What avails it who compose his personal
toaaies, so we have sound laws, and that
beatiEc "pesce 2 We bear so much about?
Bot ! think the metropolitan news
paper Is improving, and it may be that
little more spurring will make it proper
sort of journal. From lIkeEsrm oppo-
sition it has come to red hot criticisms Of
Grant. A few more such appointments
as that of Longstreet will, no doubt,
restore Il to its dear, old impefuous self
Unfortunately, M Seyer possessed any
real sternness Of principle, Aos tie virtue
Of prudence. Rash impulse, and the
dyspepsia, pesplting from surfeit Of
"eosneii proesed!Egs,p has guided its
aourss. sEd if Congress does Dot ratify
the Fifteenth Amendment, re may
expect terrible AsdIdp0hs Of ansihemss