Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-07
DEnOCRArIC TICKET.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
NO COMPROMISE OF PRISeIPLE.


NO COMPROMISE OF PRISeIPLE.
For the information of the honest men
ef the Democrat party we Will state
that there has been no compromise OF
our principles by the late action OF the
Comfy Convention. The resolution IN
troduced and adopted iusiructing the
Shelby county delegation to have the
question of negro suffrage submitted to
direct vote of the people was in itself
true Democratic doctrine. The people,
being the great source of oil power in
this government, shonld solve aud
decide every question in which is
hound up the liberty and material
prosperity of the State. If the matter tor
adjustment is of the greatest importance
and is within the scope of the preroga-
tives of the States, then it should be re-
ferred direct to the people for their hnai
decision. No one can gainsay what the
reople have decreed. And every liberal
minded man should be willing to stand
by and be content with the will OF the
majority. We would not endeavor, TO-
der any circu instances, to force down the
tbroats of the people unpalitable laws and
more requirements which degrade the
standing of our social and political statua.
The question of negro suffrage having
been woven into the poliIy of our State
through the iDstrumentality of Federal
bsyonets, requires now to be ssttled deh-
nitely, since the control of affairs have
passed into the hands of the righifni
sovereigns Of the land. Tae matter, then,
30 dispute can be better arranged by re-
ferring it directly to a vote of the people
There is not dissenting voice to the
proposition when rightfully understood.
Alderman Thomss Foley, who voted
against the resolution when first intro
duced into the County Convention, no
doubt did 80 under misapprehension.
He is a true Irishman, and not under
standipg. from where he sat in the house,
the correct purport of the resolution,
voted "Nc." 1t was enough for Pat that
the thing spoke of the " magyar and as
something was said about compromise,
etc. he would have voted against it II
all the world had voted the other way.
Brave son of old Erin. you deserve to
wear the NEEDLE of the party for honest
intentions and fidelity to principle,
Few, indeed. are they who possess the
nerve to do right regardless OF what
others may think. In this instance there
was an exception to the rule. On the day
of the Convention the small politicians
were somewhat noisy and shaky, for fear
something would be done that hereafter
would damage their claims for ofice They
would make fair. weather with both par
ties, ifpossible, and il brought to the verge
of split from the universal suffrage
wing, would sacrifice principe itself to
prevent the breach. These little fellows
would contend that the resolution was an
40 olive branch thrown ont to preserve
the peace; that the thing was q sugges.
ton Of their own, and such-like clap-,rsp
stuff. The truth about the whole matter
is, there -,cas no compromise, az the
universal suffrage psrtisans bad con-
cluded to support the Democratic ticket.
II had been all agrsei on long before the
resolution was thought Of Our oppo.
neuts argued, and correctly, too, that
this was not the proper time for them TO
make q 6nal stand on the question, and
that it should be deferred until the Con-
siitutioB came back to the people from the
Convention. We care little for the mat
ter, only 40 far as il is calculated to mis-
lead the honest people Of the county.
Some men would imagine themselves
heroes aud rush into the captured citadel
long after the enemy had surrendered,
and made 70 DO 90 without Their assist
snce. They regard 5 ten cent reputation
as better than none Add now they are
setting up a terrible clstier and noise,
after the battle hes been fought aud the
field won.
The cnrbstooe politicians OF the party
had better devote themselves to their
6fieJlless profession. Perhaps they might
exc out q scsniy living is that way. Bat
there are no fees in politics, and little
reputation for men not possessed with
braius Pew men are csPaciisted ~
these troublss0us times 10 lead ~ psl-
tics, and the presumptDons individual
Who would attempt il shOald be made TO
wear bis long ears 10 public that none
gonld be deceived ~ 70 bis speelsS