Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-30
LOST SHEEP.

There are few in our State who for
merly belonged to the Wing party when
it had an existence that now refuse to
connect themselves with any political
organization, and may well be termed
lost sheep without shepherd or fold.
From long years of opposition to the
Democratic party that name has become
entirely distasteful to them, and when
asked whether they would consent to
be called Radicals, shudder at the bare
suggestion. Their political faith was, it
seems, founded upon the rock of preju-
dice, and the waves of time and the
dissipation of parties have no effect on it.
1t is this class who now clamor for the
name Conservative, and oppose being
mustered as Democrats. When an hon
est man Of them is found he will at
once profess the sentiments of the
Democratic platform, and agree to
the correctness of every principle
therein laid down. The number
of weak excuses put forth why
it is that these are opposed to be-
ing called Democrats is curious to the
progressive mind of the day. 1t is
thought, by taking the name of the ma
tional Democracy, that we isjure our
Northern friends, who, it is alleged, are
better able to fight our battles without us
than with our assistance. We are un-
able to comprehend the force of such
reason, if, indeed, there could be any force
in it. 1t can safely be asserteft that the
hobbies Of the war have all been ridden
to death by the Radicals, and the cry of
rebel" has lost its force on the think
ing minds of the more intelligent North
ern masses We did not pursue such
policy in Tennessee when it was found
necessary to expel the Brownlow thieves
from the State Offices The miracle of
our salvation, it was correctly thought,
depended upon our own exertions
consolidated as people, with
one common interest If Grant,
Sumner and Beast Butler are forced
to abdicate their high authority in Wash
ington il must be by the united strength
and influence of friends South as well as
North; and one section is not equal to
the work without assistance from the
other Is it good sense to discard the
assistance of those North who cell them
selves Democrats, and refuse to ally our
selves with them because forsooth
il is known that a few of them
fought to subjugate us during the late
war A new era has dawned, and
the times demand that we should forget
past differences and fraternise for
great future good. The questions Of the
war have been settled, and we are now
called upon TO fight Radicalism at the
ballot-box. We have simply to unite
with the Democratic party Of the North,
and. under one banner. turn out Of office
our Radical enemies. If Grant is re-
elected. or il there should be a majority
of Radicals sent back to the next
session of Congress, We in Tennessee,
who imagine ourselves secure, are liable
10 reconstruction and to be crushed again
under the wheel Of the Republican char
lot. Good sense dictates the policy Of
uniting with our Northern allies. and let
ting the dead past bury lis dead. We
have no occasion 10 discuss ancient
Whiggery and Democracy, not more 50 |
than to resurreet any obsolete PROPOSE
lion Of past history that pertains not to
he present
War MAPs.-That Of the ST. Losis