Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-30
IGNORANCE is NOT ALWAYS
BLISS TO EVERYONE.

The Rip Van Wrinkle editor of the Ap-
peal has awoke from six months nap
and dreamed during the while that the
Irish had voted the Radical ticket in the
late election. We shall take the liberty
of informing our brother chip that he is
in error about this, and to the contrary
of what is stated in the following, is
true:
There is no reason why facts palpable
TO all men should not be fairly stated.
The most stupid observer of current
events has seen what causes coneurred
in giving to recent elections extraordi-
nary incidents and results. There was,
in the nature of things, in the character
of offices sought, and in the contest as
waged by the candidates, no question or
issue of partisan politics. 1t was sought
10 give the election this fictitious charac-
ter, but those who first made the effort
were impelled, the people imagined,
quite as much by selfish as patriotic or
partisan considerations, and therefore
the purpose failed of accomplishment.
1t was not the custom of Wings and
Democratics in the olden times to make
party nominations for county or judicial
offices. Moreover, our Irish fellow-citl-
zens imagined that one of their country
men was to be prescribed. With them it
was a question of partisan success. Mr..
Reilly was an Irishman, and such was
the confessed popularity and potency of
John p Strange that Mr. Reillys coun-
trymen preferred temporary alliance with
Radicalism and that series of combina-
tons which even involved the abhorred
necessity of cooperating with Sambo
rather than endure the defeat of this rep
resentative of Ireland and of Irish De
mocracy. But let il not be said that this
black and white alliance is permanent.
Appeal, Both.
There never was more gross and UNI
justifable SANDER perpetrated upon any
people than is contained in the above,
and can only be excused on the ground
of the editors extreme Ignorance and
imbecility 1t is surprising that any
man who sets himself up as the con-
ductor of a leading newspaper would
for moment think OF publishing so
vile an imputation upon the characters
Of large class of honest men without
stopping 10 inquire whether he was right
or wrong. 1t is no less than crime,
and the offender shonld be justly re-
buked by public opinion,
We ARE not inclined to'lose our reason
because forsooth, our party has met with
defeat and to charge this or that class
of men with it. But it Is Our duty to 60
TO work and reform our lines. and 70 en-
force more rigidly that discipline which
in the future will insure success at the
ballot box. As to the charge against
our Irish fellow-citizens, who are Demo-
cratic, that they voted for the Radicals,
it can be disproved by figures that APP
pear on the face of the election returns
Take for instance the city vote east for
Mr.. Curry, which is set down at 4339,
and what does it show? 1t proves that
three thousand of these votes were given
in by negroes-that one thousand Of
them were cast by white Radicals living
in the city, and the remaining three
hundred and thirty-eight. or the great
err portion, we're voted BY men
of Southern nationality. If this be
correct land it can be attested
bv the most undoubted proof. how, in
the name of high heaven. can it be
charged that the Irish voted for Curry on
last Saturday? No, it is not so; but, on
the contrary, they were more steadfast to
the Democratic ticket than was the edi-
tor of the Appeal, who on holidays is so
fond Of proclaiming his democracy 20 the
world. If old Wings and Democrats did
not deem it proper in the past to make
nominations for county offices, it was
because there was little difference be-
tween the men belonging to either party.
Now we have among us a new organiza
ton. composed of our former slaves
and n hungry set Of Northern
vandals who have come hitber fol
the express purpose of robbing the
people and living on the government
office. We want II understood that w
ask no favors from any class ofthe com
munity, and are instigated in writing
the above merely by sense Of duty Il
the good men of the party to which W
belong There should be no nationah
ties thought Of When Democrats are II
council. and only the best man shoulc
he pref.rred, regardless of his faiherland