Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-05-28
corEMpoRANEous JOURNALISM


C0TEMPoRANE0Us JOURNALISM.
II appears that an innocent remark OF
ours has excited the bellicose procliyities
of our city contemporaries. They attack
us on every side, and attribute to us
thoughts, ideas and intentions which be-
long rather TO themselves than to us.
We have no inclination whatever to be
either captious or resentful. 1t was in
no vain-glorious spirit that We referred
TO the luke-warmness Of some, the pen
dulum-like oscillation Of others, and the
radical bent of one claiming all the indie
pendence, while this paper was untiring
in its efforts to forward the wishes ofthe
Democratic Convention and urge Demo-
Gratis to their duty in supporting the regu-
lar nominees. Our motive was not based
on selfshness or desire to boast over
success. but rather to show the disadyan-
tages under whichthe party labored. from
the apparent indifference Of the press.
TheAppeal, especially had rendered itself
ridiculous by its frequent allusionsto no
party nominations Of Judges; seeming to
be uncertain how to maintain its coveted
position ofDemocratieo organ and still win
the admiration of the Radicals and their
allies for its moderation and willingness
to concede quite as much as asked for.
And now, in the exuberance of its self
esteem, it claims to have undergone no
change of control since the new ac-
question: but admits that more at
ieniion has been paid to the election
during that time than usual, because il
was the proper time to give it. This is
a wofnlly lame excuse, and does not
hatter the new acquisition, without
whom the Appeal would have been
pointless, if not aimless, TO the end, and
so far as it was concerned the election
would have gone by default. As it was,
in the day or two preceding the election,
during which g. the new acquisition
had an opportunity to show his handi-
work, he impaired nerve and vigor and
directness to the Appeal, in which ere
his advent it was most lamentably lack
ing. If il is fact that the same con-
troll exists that existed before his con-
nection with that paper, it will be not
onlyjworse for the party and its patrons,
but very much the worse for its stock
holders. But that is their lookout, and is
n matter in which we have not the
slightest desire or inclination to NEEDLE.
From the Avalanche we expected no
aid in the canvass. While it claimed to
be independent it leaned with loving
inclination to Radiealism, and omitted
no occasion of depreciating the Democ-
racy. If there were bursts of sunshine
upon the standard of our friends, these
rays were so refracted by the medium Of
selflaudation through which they passed,
they were very much shorn Of the genial
influence they might otherwise have ex-
ercised; but we are free TO admit the
great and visible improvement the Snn
exhibited as the ides approached. In
the excruciating refinement of its irony, |
the Appeal intimates wish on our part
to go to Congress as the ultima thule
of an editors ambition; and charges us
with injustice TO friends We have
never expressed or insinuated any such
desire, and the allegation that we have
not been 'just to our friends is gratuit-
Gus. If we should ever entertain such
wish or hope, it will not be timidly ex-
messed or made known by inuendo or
insinuation; and more especially would
II not influence our course or consistency
as s. journalist, which we would not sac
rifice for any position, much less one
wherein success was thought to depend
ON yacillation or desertion of political }
friends 10 WIN the smiles Of political adj
versaries2 We generally favor the pol
icy of leaving the dead past to bury its
dead. and contemplate the future, rather,
TO learn what it may have in store; to
avert. If possible, the pernicious and pro-
vide welcome for the beneficial. Our
contemporaries may hug to themselves
all the glory they have won in the late
canvass. As for ourselves, we have the
of having striyen to do our
lutv and perceive no reason to believe
hat we did not succeed The LEDGER
,as at least been consistent in its ardent
aor,s to enhance the strength Of the
democratic party. and, keepingit united,
,revent stragglers from wandering from
ann II has not wavered, because At
,as ingrained in onr nature that thf per
e,ustion Of freedom and successful re-
stance to centralism. consolidation and
depend upon the vitality and
Of Democratic party