Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-02
MIR. EwING's CARD.

After recapitulating the causes lead
ing to the calling of a Convention, the
Union and American has the following
observations on Mr.. Ewing's card, which
that gentleman published in the Ban
ner:
Under the circumstances we regard
this card of Mr.. Ewing as exceedingly
unfortunate, as it not only entirely pre-
cludes his nomination by that Conven-
tion. if nomination should be deemed
advisable. but il strikes the members of
that Convention, who may have come
here simply to consult as TO the general
welfare, so fatty in the face that they
can scarcely longer consider the claims
of one who thus places the brand of OPP
probium on their assemblage for the
purpose of consultation. This card OF
Mr.. Ewing is the more strange and UNI
accountable as he has generally been
considered as being one of the favorite
candidates of the members of the bar,
who. il was supposed, would constitute
almost entirely the Convention. Mr..
Ewing having thus abruptly declined
the advisory Offices of the Convention,
it will be left to consider and determine
as to the best interests of the State with
ont reference to admiration or friendship
for him personally.
To this Mr.. Ewing condescends so
pltisticaI reply. He is evidently of the
opinion that he is entirely out of the
reach of convention, and only amena-
BILE to the people. This is conceding
much. for him, aud the wonder only is
that he is so very yieldingl What is a
convention but the people speaking
through their delegates2 IT, in case
like this. convention may or should be
dispensed with, why not on alloccasions?
Why should any one submit his preten-
sions or claims to office to an unpreJu-
diced arbitrament that would examine
and decide who would be the most SUIT
able agent to do the popular will and re-
ceiye the popular indorsementY Mr.,
Ewings qualifications and reputation
are admitted. But that he is not all right
the very step he ia taking is sure indi-
cstion. He is holding ont inducements
to an implacable enemy to use him IN
some way, by piebald ticket or other
wise, for its own self-interest. Where
minorities expect TO reap benefits, d.
vide and conquer" is their motto. It's
quite possible the Radicals may vote for
Mr.. Ewing (they possibly owe him some
thing), and so use him to strengthen
their own partisans. it is an evidence
of both selfshness and vanity to defy
convention. and Mr.. Ewings stand
ing is not 80 towering as TO
be above the suspicion of entertaining
sueh weaknesses. We do not feel dis
posed to say anything harsh OF him,
although his undemocratic persistency
in placing himself so entirely beyond
the legitimate Offices of a convention
entities him to more than a full measure
of attention in that direction. ItbetrayS
superciliousness that generally goes
hand in hand with the narrow prejudices
and selfish obdurateness of one who has
been spoiled by fortune, and. to use
a homely phrase, grown out Of bis
breeehes The excuse which this
learned Theban" makes for his very |
peculiar course is that he consented, at
the urgent entreaty of his friends, to
run for the office, not that he was not
indifferent TO it, and having obtained
his own consent, he did not mean 10
take the chances before convention.
We hardly think he has
$50 got the start Of this majestic world
As bear the palm alone.'
When the Convention shall meet to
consult, and nominate, as it will GER
tainly do, we agree with our Nashville
contemporary that it will not be amiss to
inquire If the wheels Of justice cannot
move without the legal acumen Of Mr.
f. H. Ewing