Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-20
C~sari.m I'm the United states.

CRsar1em IN the Uniteu btates.
From the Journal Of Commerce.
Among the most odious of the many
burdens under which the Liberals of
France, with fortitude and patriotic
ardor which, in spite of some extrava-
gsnces, justly command the cordial ap-
plause of more fortunate nations, have
been struggling on toward free govern
ment, is one in whose pains Americans
ought peculiarly to sympathize; for in
its most odious form we bear it ourselves.
In the recent elections for the Corps
Legislatif, as in those which preceded
them, the Imperial Government, except
q few constituencies where it would fare
better by not having them, has, to the
scandal of all who respect the popular
right of suffrage, put forward and urged
it's official candidates; and the French
Liberal journals have published for the
merited scorn of men who have convic-
tions and consciences of their own, and
who desire to see q like manhood in their
fellows, the confidential circulars in
which the Minister of the Interior in
structed every prefect and each of every
projects subordinates to be a hearty ad-
mirer and jealous supporter of the chosen
of the Emperor. Who among us is such
stranger to our political contests as not
to see that this has been often paralleled
among us Our Federal administration
has also its official candidates, whom its
hosts of subordinates, from the super
visor to the spy, from the collector of the
port to the watchman at his custom
house, are commanded to push officiousy
upon the choice, or against the choice,
of the electors.
But the parallelism is not quite per-
feet. Napoleon's official candidates were
for seats in the Legislature of his own
realm, Legislature without whose CO.
operation and confidence he could not
carry on his government; the official
candidates of the Federal administration
are for places in political organizism
of whose cooperation and control the
Federal Government is independent, and
with whose constitutional workings it
has no more excuse for meddling than
Napoleon would have for debating the
votes of the House of Commons. The
French official candidates we're set up to
oppose by ne means insignificant fac
ton who would snatch from the Emperor
the authority which the solemn act
of the French people has irrevocably con-
ferred upon him; the interference OF the
Federal administration is that of men
upon whom the nation has conferred a
Temporary power for a term during
which no one dreams of taking it away,
and who are misusing that power to OBJ
tain an influence in counsels they have
no right to share. And, worst OF all,
while the French Liberals have borne
the insulting oppression because there
was no alternative but sanguinary and
probably vain revolt, the American peo-
ple submit voluntarily to the despotlsm
that thus impudently wears the transpaa-
rent disguise of free suffrage, though all
their laws condemn the usurpation and
their power is ample to give it, without
violence or risk, signal overthrow.
We have said that this system of Fed
eral interference in State elections is the
contriyance by which men who lawfully
hold temporary but undisputad author
ity. aim to snatch, in defiance OF public
condemnation, another installment OF
power-the Vaccinations of those who
have been made trustees OF vast ma
tional fund for the national benefit, and
who administer 1t for the controlling end
of keeping the administration in their
own hands. But this, which, if proved
TO the satisfaction of court OF equity,
would work the prompt removal OF a
trustee of thousand-dollar bequest-ls
not the worst of the mslversation. This
machinery of Federal patronage is moved
by those who hold high Federal offices al
the bidding of an oligarchy numbering,
perbaps. not more than dozen or so, oi
which they may be members, or only
hired servants, who often take their pay
in the irredeemsble paper OF vain hope
These oligarchs-not one OF whom
could with sll his adroitness obtain al
the hands of the people the high office
whose powers, without leave of the peo
ple. he and his confederates wield-con'
stitute. If we look rather at the powers
than the names or shows OF things, the
essence of the party. They are the mer
who direct the irresistible currents o
populsr sentiment TO turn their own mil
wheels. They have indeed their hosts o.
| retaiDers, some securcu uy tno PcN'J -
ward of place and perquislte, Others
urged on by the frothy intoxication OF
deiusiye banner cryi but tits the masters
them selves who dictate in all important
points the lists of candidates, and who
shane the platforms which are so bold II
their avowals on topics where all are
agreed, so dark and ambiguous wherever
there is a conflict of sentiments or inter
ests among those whose support the con
triyers would attract. Aud thus it gen
orally happens that the honest electoI
who has spent his time, his labor and hls
anxious care to insure some great triumph
Of principle, finds in the end that he has
only dethroned one clique OF secret des'
pots to establish another.
1t was ardently hoped and confidently
expected by many that Gen. Grant, hav-
ing been pruden,ly accepted, rather than
originally chosen by the Repu lican oil
garchy, and having, it might be thought,
a soldier love of glory and soldier $
straiehtforward idea Of duty, would have
the sagaeity and 6rmness to consult duty,
honor and personal interest together by
directing the machinery Of goYernment