Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-05-04
The Democratic Executive Commit
tee 10 the Citizens of shelby
County.

The Democratic Executive Commit
tee 10 the Citizens of shelby
County.
We address our fellow-citizens Of
Shelby county in language Of the most
solemn and earnest appeal. No effort
at eloquent periods is attempted. We
do not pause to gather flowers by the
way" as Henry Clay remarked on
momentous occasion. No classification
of words is arranged to ampse the ear
and make the wool of high-sounding
phraseology. We appeal to reason, to
Judgment, to sober sense ofright, to
patriotism, to hopes in the present and
for the future. Whatsoever of the past
can be remembered with just and honest
pride, we desire to invoke.
One of the most important elections
is approaching that has ever taken place
in Shelby county. 1t will transpire in
less than month. The people will be
called upon to select their ministers Of
justice, to whose arbitrament for eight
succeeding years, the rights of property,
of liberty and life will be submitted.
How incumbent, then, it is that those to
be SO invested should blend in them
selves all the attributes of good citizens
should be entitled to respect for I'M
blemished character, vigorous intellect,
purity of heart, nice discrimination and
unbending integrity. A ticket comprising
such gentlemen, high in the confidence OF
community, was presented by the recent
Democratic Convention for the suffrages
of their fellow citizens. There is not a
name upon that ticket which is not en-
titled to be honored and will not reflect
credit upon the elevated station for
which it is proposed They are not pre-
scented simply as Democrats, although
staunch and steadfast to the principles
which underlie and are indispensable to
free government, but because they
think justly, act honestly, are not to be
sweryed from direetness, and can be de
pended upon in all straits for unbiased
and intelligent opinions, indicating
truth and asserting the proper appli-
cation of law. They are Democrats, not
merely in political sense-not in par
tisan sense at all--but as devoted 70 the
great principles that governments should
be. if they are not, formed for the benefit
Of the governed, and the voice of the
people should be potential with their
representatives. They are Democrats,
not indeed for wild and unconstrained
action, but for freedom within the sphere
and scope of eiy,. liberty which guaran-
tees every right and protects the weak
against eDeroachment by an impassable
barrier.
1t is net, therefore, as politicians we
address you, but, inspired by the same
hopes, feelings and aspirations as your
selves, are earnestly DESTROYS of good
government While we cannot control
the operations Of the colossal powerwhich
sways the destipies II tle nation land we
think to It's detriment, II mol certain de-
struction), we can at least manags our
own households, and select such servants
as will accomplish our work in season
sad 10 our perfect satisfaction. 1t may
be ths3 HsRy individual preferences ex-
listed, which ars 3ielded reluctantly. As
all could not be graiiGsd, al9 so9e must
be necessarily disappointed, the friends
of the unsuccessful should forego all dis
pleasure, and unite cordially in support
Of The ticket which can be commended
to their support with unlimited conf
denee. il IS pot necessary 70 examine
and contrast the difference betysea thp
regular nominees and those who may
present themselves or be brought out in
opposition. As ageneral proposition, 1t
may be taken for granted that those who
are 20 solcitous Of office as TO prefer
their own .1diyidual claims or preten-
sions to the expressed preference of a
large and respectable portion VI ,beir
fellow-citizens in convention assembled
cultivate their ambition or their avarice
al the expense Of their patriotism.
II is such az exhibition of sell
fishness as 20 inspire eontempt and
disgust, and most sssEredly 'sQgsdF
the death-knell Of popularity. Such can
only hope to succeed by creating defec-
ton and dissatisfaction in the ranks of
those 9TH whom they had previously CO.
operated ana Ehom they called friends
But this is not all they form new alli-
aDees and expect large auxiliaries fsos;
those formerly regarded as enemies I
They play into tbe hands Of the latter,
and lend them al their strength llet us
hope it is but iriGingl 70 tFiumph oyer
those whose principles and practice ,ieg
had on all occasions warmly advocated.
II i not agreeable TO contemplate the
picture. u too closely resembles the
stealfhy tread q the traitor who has de-
ternined 10 expose toe approaches TO
the camp Of his ste ecwraSss. and be-
tray them to their foes
With Radicalism We hold no contre-
yeFsy. If there be those among them
who prefer good government to loose OF
arbitrary opinion, they probably will be
able 70 determine for tbslselves how
theig ballots should be cast. 1he baianes
are Fedenpfionless, and are either I'M
principied kEages Fkp impose upon the
credulity Of Ignorance, ~ are so stupid
in their benighted condition - 40 follow
the lead Of men baseF than thenselEes
and interruptions in their demagogueism
- Irrusf A~rrrrrna..s - rr.t-n.-s,- - I