Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-04
THE GHOST OF THE PAST.

Our opponents IN the present cohtest
for Mayor are inclined to beg the ques-
ton this morning They would concede
the honesty and integrity of Mr.. John
Johpson. the Democratic nominee, If we
will not refer to the old Citizens Bank.
The friends Of this gentleman ask
nothing of the kind. They simply DEFY
their antagonist to cite an instance
whereby suspicion the least discredita-
Bile nigh. be cast on the name OF their
candidate. Every man, woman and
child who have been brought in contact
with Mr.. johnson, join in applauding him
and upholding his many virtues and good
deeds. He is Christian and man
above reproacb. For information ask the
teachers in the public schools, with whom
Mr.. johnson has had great deal to DO,
what they think of him. Inquire OF
the children connected with these places
of pubIc instruction, who are inluitively
good Judges of character, and the re-
sponse will be 10 the loudest praise OF the
gentleman. By further inquiry, go
amoug the business men of Memphis,
with whom Mr.. johnson has had dealings
for twenty years, and ask of them in what
fight they hold him. He is known among
this class of the community as being an
uprieht. straightforward, and in every
respect, frst-rste business man. His
kindness to numbers of the widows and
orphaus Of the absent Confederate SOL
diers have endesred him to those OF our
citizens TO whom he was, ct all times,
most gracious benefactor.
As to the interest felt and manifested
in the behalf Of Confederate soldiers by
Mr.. johnson, we refer the public to
Mel. Bsrbierre, Capt Abe Levy and Capt.
Wilson. tie latter belonging to the 10th
Mississippi regiment. These gentlemen
know and have experienced the direct
kindness of Mr.. johnson, bestowed at
a time when the var was raging with
al its fury. When the Donelson pris-
cuers passed through Memphis, this gen.
tIeman could have been found at the wharf
of our city ministering aud attending to
the wants of the poor sufferers.
He that day spent over three hundred
dollars for the necessary articles to make
these brave fellows comfortable. all OF
whom to-day entertain recollection Of the
kindly deed. His house was the home of
the poor aud friendless Conlederates
after war had ceased and men returned
10 their homes to fnd that they had not
where TO lay their heads. We need not
substantiate this by proof, as the facts
are within the knowledge of hundreds
who to-day live As to the charge that
has so of been repeated. that Mr. Johnson
voted two years ago for Fitch, The R ldi-
cal candidate, We now sni shall ever de-
nouuce such az utterly false and wanting
in the semblanee Of truth. II is well
known and can be fully attesied by
Mayor Lsftwich aud others. that Mr..
John johnson, the Democratic candi-
date for Mayor, stood in the snow during
the day of that election, and not only
voted against, but worked hard TO
aefel 1t both the Fitch and Bsecher ticket
Il cAa fully be proven that Mr.. johnson
has never voted other than a straif ht
Democratic ticket at ell times. Mayor
LeftWioh kncWs that whom be was
q candidate opposed TO the chosen leader
of the Radical party, that in every can
vass Nc. johnson was one Of his strongest
supporters
It is thought by the opposition to
win this contest by bold declarations,
and ct the same time throwing over
board all truth and fair dealing. How
ever, the opponents Of Democracy will
fnd Il rather an uphill business to sue
coed in this way, as truth is mighty and
will prevail.
We are compelled again TO refer 10 the
Citiz,..s Bank, that Il e public msy knox
who was It's real owner. The Avalanche
deuys fatty that s. P. Walker had any
connection wilh this institution at the
time Of it's suspsnsios. and he'd sold out
his interest IN il six months previous TO
che grand sHd iuglorious failure. The
following "a the statement Of the con-
mi,,ee app,iniei TO investigate the con-