Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-05-06
POLITICAL STATUS OF THE MORNING
PAPERS. rff

Our morning contemporaries are each,
with one exception, endeavoring to solve
the difficult problem of their present
political status. 1t is getting TO be a
matter of some moment with them,
while the community look on and laugh.
Presumption had taught these journals
that they might lead the people in any
direction that pleased them, but the
effort so far has proven quite unsuccess-
full They now find themselves deserted
and alone, with few, if any advocates of
their course. The Democratic masses
generally read and have confidence in
such organs as express their political
sentiments, and are far too intelligent TO
be easily deluded. 1t is certainly the
undisputed right which Newspaper owners
have Of putting into their columns what
ever matter to them seems best, being
responsible for the abuse of the priv
ilege, but no editor should assume to
mount his tripod to command the public
mind so long as free thought is permitted
in this country. Parties are formed
and platforms laid down, the objects
of which are generally for the accom-
plishment of some governmental purpose,
and no man taketh honor to himself who
would boast of having separated from,
and is independent OF, his friends in the
work to be done. Conventions are not
for the purpose Of stuitifying thought
and tyrannizing over free utterances, but
toaecomplish the well-considered designs
Of the majority, who are only required to
act in concert A man had as well talk
of acting independent of the church in
converting the world as to think Of be-
ing nnconstrained by his party when
success is wanted The people Of
this county see and have felt The
Necessity Of thorough organization Of
the Democratic party, and will not be
lead astray by unwise counselors. We
never before felt so confident that victory
would perch upon our banners The
enemy are disconnected by the nnwaFsr-
ing and well directed purpose 10 elect
the nominees Of the late Democratic
Convention, and would be glad to End
some opening in our ranks by which
they might pass through and harass us.
Butt not a flaw can he found, and our
friends are all in unison. The Ava
lanche has not dared to raise
its voice against the ticket; while the
Appeal has been dashed into subsection.
The latter organ consents to give the
nominees hearty support, providing we
will permit it to entertain its peculiar
views, which amount to nothing, after
all. The fact that both of these played
out old fogy sheets should oppose the
Convention nominees would moi cause
fifty men to vote contrary TO the wishes OF
the party But as one is silent and
the other has consented to come
back into ranks, We are more
than contented. aud leave them 20
act ont their own line Of policy.
We do think it quite strange that any
Democrat should be called on to explain
his political conduct in the face Of a
watehfal and malignant foe. All true
partisans should be above the bare sus-
piciou Of fra.ernizing With the opposi-
ton or giving them comfort in the remot-
est degree. Give Is an open ehemy 10
one who calls himself our friend and
Is continually throwing obstacles in
the way Of our success If the editor Of
the Appeal supports the nominees Of the