Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-24
MIR. ErHERIDGE a DEMOCRAT,
NOT ALIBERAL.


We give below the remarks of Mr.
Etheridge, to show he does not indorse
change of name for the Democracy
He thinks the word Democrat will do for
all those who are opposed to Radicalisn,
and 80 do we. If some of our neighbors
are still in favor of new party by new
name, then be assured that Mr.. Etheridge
will not be styled one of its members.
These are his words, delivered at Dancy-
vile last Thursday:
Mr.. Etheridge next addressed himself
to the people of every political complex
ion present on the subject of the name
or word Democracy" As an Old Line
Wing be claimed the right to speak to
them. He called for gentleman Mr.
Cole) not then present, who said he
hated the word Democrat. He, the
speaker, was no apologist for the Demo
Gratis. But what is in a name? In this
progressive age names soon lose their
party significance, and mean anything
or nothing. Let us not now be look
ing 10 the past In the name OF
heaven let us look to the future. The
Democratic party has preserved its
identity in the Pacific States, New
York, Kentucky, Maryland and Della
ware only; but grant that it had pre-
served its organization entire. 1t shows
that it was better organized and has
more vitality than the Wing party, which
was dead years ago. But let me tell you
now, that if you find an old Democrat
out in the woods behind log, praying
for the return of the Democratic party to
power, you will find an old Wing close
by, patling him on the back. Talk OF
not being able--as some of You do-to
join the old, effete, corrupt and rotten
Democracy why, anything is prefer
able to Tennessee Radicalism-a thing
sui generis, a m0nstrosity that had no
progenitors, and pray heaven that it have
no posteriiy [Applause Grant you
that the Democratic parry, during its
long and sometimes brilliant executive
reign 10 power, was stained with
crimes of it's leaders, TOO often uu-
scrupulous in their efforts TO laain-
tain that power; to it's honor and
glory be it said that it despoiled no man
Of bis liberties without trial by his
peess. Il robbed no man of the fran
chise; il was Got IN favor Of great mo-
Bopoies; il was not the champion o. high
taxes; it was not guilty of that stu
pendous piece of folIy-the boast that
- public debt is q public blessing it
i'm prisonsi 20 man; tried and punished
no man without DIS process OF law; 1t
established no drumhbad courts lnsrtia.
in time of peace; finding no bastiles to
pail doyn, il erected none as a monu-
ment OF its existence, Is vss npt guilty
of that most infamous of rallying cries,
satus popui supreme lea" To the
complete organization Of the Demo-
Gratis of the North; to their heroic
manner of resisting alike all the
threats and Establishments; TO their
ua.ehyord, 'ithe Union as it was
the Constitution as ito them alone
we owe it thst the hondholders dream OF
;muerialistu Ia not 40 accomplished fact.
Grant list the Democrats Eese ail rebels.
For the four years that they held sway in
Richmond they never passed Law dis
franchising q Union man for loving the
old flag, or praying for the safe return of
the boy who went out to Sight for it.
These things that the rebel Democrat
didn't do in time of war, the Radical
camp followers did when the war was
over and in time Of peace. Talk OF rot
rem Democracy, indesdi Tennessee
Radicalism makes the meanest Wing or
Democrat regime seem bright,