Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-08
Conservatism and Democracy.

WoRKISGMEs: Conservatism is not
Democracy, but q mixture of Toryism,
Johnsonism and Radicalism. 1t is the
great evil of the times. It's motto under
the head of Toryism is "loyalty;" under
Johusonism, Treason must be made
odious;" under Radicalsm, "rebels shall
not vote.
Such sentiments are subverslve Of the
rights of the people. They are antagon-
istic to progress No republican form
of government" can exist under them.
They are destructive of State rights.
t.. They are the very essence Of Empire.
When did this triple-headed monster,
Conservatism, existing in England under
the motto of No Popery," find its way
into Tennessee 2 In 1863, when num-
Der of gentlemen resigned their positions
as corporals in the Federal and Con-
federate armies and joined the Memphis
militia. At that time, under the leader
ship of Andy, the First Military Cover
nor, it was called the Union party" In
1864 It assumed the shape of Toryism by
hosting the motto loyalty" and circu-
lating "test oaths" 10 the fall of the
same year it turned quite blue, and as
pired to Radicalism by voting for Lin
colin and johnson, under the motto trea-
son must be made odious," against Nc
ClellAn and Pendleton, the standard
bearers of Democracy. In 1865 1t be-
came very black, and placed the devil
himself, under the name of Brownlow, in
the Gubernatorial Chair of Tennessee.
What a glorious record And what
have we had since? The worst despot
ism 'the world ever saw" Look over
the history of this State for the past four
wears, aud what do you hnd2 That the
Radical raven and Conservative rock
have wings alike. They soar upon the
same element" disfraLchisement." In
fact, as the Irishman says in the play,
1.-THE TWO Maguires are one" Although
they seem separated 10 public, they work
together in private for their oson beReJit.
Hence they are equally interested in
abolishing self-government; for the
element that would bring one into the
enfrsnchisement would bring
down the other.
That these ravens and rocks work to-
gether can be seen by examining certain
charters for privileges granted by the
Legislature, wherein the chief wire-pull.
ers of the Radical and Conservative par
ties appear as incorporalors. They sf
terward appear as officers, and are nov
conducting institutions into which " al
the money goes" 1t may be q matter o
importance to open your eyes wide anI
look sharply at this grand joke" thi
magnificent scheme" that is LEADING
you TO ruin.
To spoil the game of these politics
humbugE, then, becomes sacred duty
By thoroughly organizing and becoming
an effective branch Of Democracy, tn
only true party in the country--the onl
party with principles founded upon ID
Constitution, which is the people
vill"-the only party that teaches an
upholds the right doctrine that this go'
eminent was established by the Angl'
Saxon, Celtic and Germanic races fc
their descendants, and net by the African
Chinese or Indian races for their de
scendsnts.
When rattle brain tells you 20
must be read out Of the party" laugh
him. Excommunicstion and ostracisI
in self government are absurdlties; the
are almost as bad as disfrauchisement.
which is q crime sgainst the people
Know this: a party needs you, and nc
you the party. Besides: there can B
DO party without voters, just as Their
can be 20 srmy without soldiers