Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-31
MEM PHI Is:
Evening. March 81, 1870.
PARTY POLITICS.

PARTY POLITICS.
An effort is being made by the levia-
than journals of this city to prove that
marty politics is not necessarily an ingre-
dent in county elections. This is, as
all must acknowledge, an undertaking
most extraordinary, and scarcely be
said to be allied to reason. Still, If
these editors succeed in relieving them
selves from their independent posi-
fion assumed in the late canvass, or find
an excuse for their kicking out OF party
traces, it is all that is aimed at. The
platform is hardly able to bear up, as we
think, so much dead weight of matter,
and would suggest, for the safety of both,
TO COME back into ranks and TO assist
again in fighting the battles Of our peo-
pie.
The Appeal of this morning very de-
liberately states that " it signifies moth
ing. SO far as the Democratic party OF
the United States is concerned, whether
a Democrat, Radical or negro be Sheriff
of Shelby county" If such is the case,
we don't blame our neighbor for having
given aid and comfort to Curry and the
Radical ticket, by its neutral course be-
fore the late county election. In fact,
it was quite matter of doubt as to where
either the Appeal or Avalanche stood
during she county canvass, for in their
columns could be observed, blazoned
forth in large capitals, the Radical and
Democratic tickets alike conspicuous.
But then it is a matter of some import
anee to politics generally whether Curry
or some other negro is Sheriff OF this
county. II we mistake not, it is made
the duty of th:s officer to hold all cleo
siOns of the people, which is a tremend-
Gus advantage to the party TO which he
may belong. As for instance, Who be-
heves thst in the coming election for
Judges that the Radical Sheriff of
Shelby county would be found willing
to discharge his duty with impartisliiy?
Would he appoint an equal number OF
Democrats with those of his own party,
who together would act as judges of
election in the county, If so, it would
be the first instance on record, and
would be inst cause for expelhag any
one from the Radical party. Have we
not ell seen with our own eyes Radical
clerks and local office-holders expending
money, made out of the people, to cause
their reelection, or for the general
success Of tho party to which
they 6we allegiance, And 1t is
TO a great extept with these means
that leaders of the Radical party have
been enabled to buy the negro vote aad
TO bring them from adjoining States to
vote for Grant, Jerusalem Smith and
others of the same fealty. If our neigh
Dor is so indifferent about county politics
perhaps he would not object to vote for
Barbour Lewis for Chancellor. against
judge Morgan, or another Of BIS good
standing with our people. Who can prs,
diet where the Appeal will be in the next
six months, Il it continues to pursue iii
present course. The Avalanche started
off with these vain-gios;ous and self
Importaat ideas, and in short While see
to what rretched state it has CONS
1t is as good . black Republican
sheet to-day as the Nsw York Tribune Oh
any other of like stamp, EAf error into
whieh some old fogies have fa.lsG y fbai
Of attempting TO run analogies beiYeeA
the two parties now and the Wing and
Democratic parties that formerly existed
IN this Government. ~ is well known
shat the latter two Of tbsss esTties men
tioned were divided maiBiy aSop great
national theories. while it mattefed ii,tl.
whether eaber was found to be right OF
wrong. or Whistler one or the other was
in the ascendaney, Bet with Radicals
of later date it is aseSesined to be
different for it is the aim Of this FsFty
TO deprive a large portion Of the peoPia
of their liberties. and to trample upon
right. that have heretofore been
held most sacred by al men.
And it is not general policy tksi
divides US, but Of Individual and per
sonal liberty with men who have in the
past made our local and Daiiosel gov
ernments great. glorious and renowned
among the nations Of the Eorld- And
for the desire to be free and Independent,
We uere made to suffer so long under the
ban II Acknowledgement; and the local
oKeers Of he government were the petty
agents who riyeied our slavedom at the
mandate Of the Congressional oligarchy.
We waus fhese men especially llf out
q sisht BY cur isdig1aiion, since i IS
now in osr power, soRsFhat- to act as
free white mes. Have We is sgr natures
LEFT that resentmeat that viii prompt us