Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-16
TEF SAFE POLICY.

Hon. Sam Randall, Chairman of the
Democratic Committee, sent the follow
ing dispatch to certain parties in Geor-
gia on Saturday;
WASHINGTON, September l3, 1870.
"No member Of Congress who cannot
take the iron-clad oath will be admitted,
Mr.. Stephens advice will be fatal If
followed. We respectfully urge the nom;
ination of only such as can take that
OATH" In this connection the assertion
is reiterated, by advices received here
from different points Of the State that
the views of Judge Stephens, Chairman
of the State Democratic Committee, are
not absolute as measure of guidance
for the nominations BY the convention,
and are not intended TO be so by that
gentleman and those who coincide with
him, who are willing to cooperate with
others attached to opinions more in keep
ing with those expressed in the telegram
above quoted. 1t is considered certain
that the Conservatives of Georgia do not
intend to allow such a suicidal policy to
be pursued as 10 nominate and elect
men to Congress who will not be per-
mitted to take their seats
The circular Of the Hon. Samuel ].
Randall, chairman of the National
Democratic Congressional Committee,
to the Democrats Of Georgia. which we
publish above. demands the very serious
attention Of the delegates 10 the con-
yeniion which viii assemble at Jackson /
on the 10th inst Mr.. Randall indicates
very clearly the policy the Radicals viii |
pursue in the next session Of the present 1
Congress The plan foreshadowed by it |
in regard to the admission Of members
to the Forty-Seeond Congress, viii be to
secure the election Of as many Demo-
cratic members from the Southern States
as possible, who have had their disabili- 1
ties removed, because for every Demo-
crat so elected and so situated, IT is in
the power Of this Congress-and appa-
rently its intention TO secure a Radical
Representative. The law which dis
penses with the iron-clad oath, where par
ties have been relieved Of their disabili-
ties, can, and iciH be, repealed, and
the Democratic members elect, notwith-
standing the removal Of their disabilities,
will be prevented from taking their seats,
because of their inability to take the
test oath, which will be administered to
every member, Ben Butler and John
Logan aot excepted This is apparent,
even from the circular Of Mr. Randall
to the Georgia Democracy, but it is
clear and explicit in letter from him
to a distinguished citizen Of the Third
Congressional District Of Tennessee,
which was read by more than one Of the
delegates from this county to the Guber-
material Convention at Nashville. Now,
with this sword Of Democles hanging
over us, we should select a nominee who
can ccnscientiously take the required |
oath. 1t may be unpleasant to lay aside
old friends, but it is duty we owe the /
National Democracy to place in the
House OF Representatives member |
from this district who is and has always
been in full accord with them. If we
should select from the South twenty
five Democrats who have been relieved /
of their disabilities, and the resolution Of
Congress which now relieves those men,
bers from taking the iron-clad oath |
should be repealed, we had just as well
send on twenty-five Smiths and Arnells
We had heretofore hoped that the Con-
stitutioE would be bulwark against our
oppression, but it has been overridden
too often already by the prohigate party
in power to even allow its suggestion to
our mind as an obstacle in the way Of
the passage Of any act or resolution
which may be deemed necessary for this
Administration TO secure a new lease Of
the Government. Therefore we think
the advice Of Mr. Randall should be
needed by the Democracy of the South,
and that great care should be exercised
in the selection Of Congressional candi- |