Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-03
PUBLIC LEDGER.
M E M H II 81
Thursday Evening. June 3, 1863.
THE COMMUNICATION OF "VRRI'
TAs" AND UNIVERSAL SUI
FRAGF.


THE COMMUNICATION OF "vRRI'
TAs" AND UNIVERSAL SUI
FRAGF.
We publish communication signed
Veritas," written by distinguished
General who once held rank in the Con-
federate army. The writer fully indorses
the new idea in this country of imperial
ism, but is somewhat mystifed as to the
probability OF establishing so great a
government If he could see his way
clearly to the establishment of such a
government, he would at once join the
Imperial party. Then the gentleman,
and, we hope, every right-thinking
man in the country, is convinced
that Republicanism is complete failure,
and there are no hopes left for the resto-
ration of the old Constitution. But Is
the thought always to be endured that
proud Southerners are TO live IN
der the negro Government imposed upon
ma by the North2 Shall the true and
honest people Of The United States be
made TO mourn under this despotsm spo-
ken of by the distinguished gentleman,
and without hope in the future Of relieff
We can never be made to believe that our
people have become domesticated and de-
ciled to the will of our rulers to the ex-
tent that we should always endure with
out murmur the irons OF black des-
potism put upon our limbs. There
is life and spirit left in the land,
and men who have spilled their blood
freely for their Southern homes have o
few drops left, which they will offer freely
TO any cause that promises peace and q
good government for the future Of our
country The thought of so gigantic a
revolution at once strikes the mind of
this old veteran "Veritas" as being
impossible. We would ask our distin-
guished friend whether in 1860 he
thought the American Republic could be
subverted and the present despotism
erected on its ruins2 Was it appre-
hended for moment that the States
could be involved in war which would
in effect destroy every vestige OF the
Constitution and obliterate State lines 2
We would suppose the gentleman. with
others equally wise, to stand aghast
at the terrible revolution that has gone
on right in our midst within very few
years, and more complete than the one we
now propose. The Southern slave owners,
when the Northern Abolitionists began
their crusade against that much cher
ished institution, did not awake, but slept
on unconscious of the danger which
deprived them of estates long accumu
lated. The old Democrat, today, can
not realize the fact that the government
he was taught to love and honor has
ceased TO have an existence, but when
spoken to on the subject by Young
America he can be seen to start and
look round as il having awaked from
a dream, and could not understand
his present condition. When the
intelligent people Of this country
are aroused to the Importance ola change,
the means can easily be found at hand to
affect the purpose. The Radicals would
perpetuste the present Capitalization by
proclaiming universal suffrage. They
expect to maintain themselves in power
by using the negro and the unthinking
and corrupt portion of thes community
as plisble tools.
The question Of universal suffrage was
never proposedin this country until it was
ascertained by the Radical party, that
intelligent Southerners could not be
made subservient to their will iu
subverting and overthrowing the Gov
eminent. 1t is a most dsmnshle
party cateh-word to entrsp the masses.
No man should be duped into its accep-
lance as a means to get rid of the tyrant.
1t is the power he will use to accomplish
the peaceable revolution, of making Con.
gress supreme, and further humilis
ting the South. IL is gag placed in the
mouths Of the Southern rebels, that they
may never again be heard in the coun
ellis of the nation. 1t does not mean en-
franchisement of rebels, but universal
suffrage to negroes. These and all We
are bound soon TO discard, and adopt q
form Of government that will insure pesc,
and brotherly love throughout the land
from the North 10 the South.