Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-24
THE OLD SONG AGAIN.


mopy in the ranks Of the Conservative
Democratic party, that the question OF
universal suffrage would be left at rest
80 far as our friends were con-
cerned, in the present canvass. In
supporting Governor Senter for the posi-.
ton be now occupies, as Governor OF
Tennessee, it matters little with the dis
franchised whether that gentleman shall
choose to ride the Avalanche hobby OF
universal suffrage into office or whether
he shall favor alone the enfranchisement
of those prescribed by the late enacted
law of our State. Our object will be at
tanned if we can elect Governor Senter
upon the open and svowed platform
of enfranchisng rebels, for such is the
naked question presented in this can
vsss and the only one that the masses
feel any great interest in. We think 1t
bad policy to drag into the contest now
pending points of difference that divide
our friends, and Of which, for the present.
there can be no satisfactory settlement,
whether the election go for or against
Senter. Then we think onr morning CO.
temporary is acting in bad judgment
and worse taste in endeavoring to
force the Democratic nominees upon
his own platform Of universal suffrage,
for it is not a plank upon which we all
can stand and agree, and it is not re-
quired of our candidates to express them
selves either in favor or against the
question. Our Contemporary can have
his own peculiar notions about the future
policy to be adopted to secure peace and
prosperity for the government, as he
imagines; but when large majority OF
the community shall differ with him as
TO the course to be pursued, he should
not endeavor to "sel up with the people,
and thereby dragon them into bis
way of thinking, whether they will or not
We would like to be informed by our
anirersal cotempOrary, by what right be
assumes to place the Democratic nom
iuees upon the platform Of universal suf-
frage2 There was not one word expressed
by the Convention putting these gentle
men forward as candidates, by which it
might be presumed the party indorses
such hsresy. 1t is not a part Of our
political faith, and could not be made 50,
after the repeated efforts of our friend
of the Aralanehe, and other weak
kneed sheets Of the State, to make
it a part Of the Democratic creed.
We want to be understood, and our
friends also, when this contest in the
State shall have come to a close. We
don't want to be driven into the indorse-
mept of a question, implicitly or tacitly,
which afterwards we would feel unwil-
ling to support And, as the LEDGER is
on the record Enthusiastically opposed TO
universal suffrage, we would not be con-
sidered as compromising our principles
when we support Governor Senter, who
says to us all, regardless Of our past po-
litical divisions and present differences,
that he is 10 favor of calling State Con-
ventien at the earliest day to remove our
disabilities.
he does not require of as, SIS q condi-
ton precedent, that we shall favor
universal suffrage, or any other dogma
of the day, bat only that we be law
abiding citizens and taxpayers The
majority Of the people who support such
a man will not do so because of his mis-.
taken policy of allowing every man,
regardless Of colsr, in the State 10 vote
but simply because he fayors the removal
ct once Of the shackles from of the en-
shaved people Of his own State, and
because be holds the political destinie!
of this people 10 his hand. The LEDGE
stated, long while before Gov. Sentel
was spoken Of as candidate for hi
present position, that it would support
him upen the prescribed principles then
laid down and since accepted by this
gentleman. II the AValanehe will still
. persist in sticking to it that the horse is
sixteen feet high instead Of sixteen
hands, ss be is. Why be viii be po=erless
TO humbug any one. for the people Of this
State are fully posted and know the
measurement Of each candidate in the
field.