Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-27
The Inperialisfs.

From the Macon Banner. July 24.]
MFssRs. EDIroRs: The Imperial move
ment was at first thought TO be mere
spasm-" a passing qualm thrilling the
frame Of the indomitable republican
ism of this country-it is now generally
conceded to be more than this.
At the first blush men thought that the
unscrupu!ous and infamous party IN
mower had started this movement as an
engine for the completion of their not yet
fully plished designs on the liber-
ties of the country-not accomplished,
because it will take an absolute revolu-
ton TO reconcile men to the change. The
change has taken place, all admit that,
but until by successful revolution the
present empty form itself of our hber-
ties is abolished, the change will not be
received as un fat accomph; but a
change in the administration, the tempo
rary success of q party, would afford
men an opportunity of undoing the
wicked work OF the American iconiclasts;
whilst il a new administration had to
revolutionize before they could undo. the
dangers of such action and unprobabii-
ties of snccess would be enhanced ten
fold, and il yopld be most likely that the
new refine woald prefer TO let the Gov
eminent run in the new grooyes and at
tention would be turned to reforming
abuses Of the existing system.
The country noy, however, believe
that it is other than the paEty in power
ruling the destiny of Imperialism in
this country. The people soy that Butler,
Logan, Morton and Boutwell, are wicked
enough, end Grant fool enough, and
Sherman too, enough, to do anything,
but that the wickednesa of these mis-
cresnts is not that which seizes the reins
and proolsims a new order. They are
not bold enough for that. They need
simple courage. That In fact their genius
is for sanh wickedness as that which
hung the innocent Mrs Snrratt and poor
old Wirz These are not the Imperialists
of the country, but the Red Republicans.
They are not the Nspoleons, first or
second, nor the Cromwels (though their
hypocrisy much resembles the latter (;
but they are the Robespierres and Dan
tons, the fends Of anarchy and license
and atheism incarnate, They are not the
men to seize the reins and proclaim that
they will give the people good govern
ment and well-ordered liberty-relieve
them from the burdens of misapplied
taxation and with psternal hand re-
press into consistency the " disordered
fragments OF onpe glorious republic "
and harmonic the discordsnE elemBnts
of mighty empire. These men would
rnle for the benefit of the party; would
stuff their plethoric pockets with the
hard earnings of the people and surfeit
their ignoble stomachs gith the beet
blood of the conutry-foster rings and
monopolies and maintain military tribu-
nals-the one to oppresa the people, the
other 10 murder their opponents. Why
then, you may say, do not these men de-
nounce the "Imperialist2" The reason
ia plain; They imagine that something
will inrn Bp."
think the lmpsrfalisf has clearly
shown by its course that it is not of q
pariy-not of any party hitherto known
to the politics OF the country. The liber.
ties of the country have persisted, and the
Imperaliats seek an escape from red
republicauism. The Constitution has
been, not eyerthrown, bat undermined
and il dead letter; and the impenaiistf
seek o constitutional empire under thC
egis Of whose protection the names o
rebel" and "loil" will be blottsd out
the anguish and heart-burnings cured
and the deoency, raspectabili,y anC
craftsmanship OF the country united Il
erect an empire which shall eclipse tina
of Bsbalon and Rome. II such be tbt
hopes, such the material, then who woulC
care but 10 whistle over the lave OF"
l..