Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-14

THERE may De tnlfu pdHilSo 0otaO~
Iished, and, with reference to national
politics, there may be independents
and neutrals. But the great a of
the people of this country are divided
into two great classes-refOrmers and
anti-reformers; defenders of the Con-
stitutiOn and usurpers; patriots and
spOilsmen; Democrats and Radicals.
In such an issue, on one side or the
other il would seem every good man
should be driven to take position.
Journals may profess to be indepen-
dent, but, dealing with politics at all,
they must necessarily range them
selves on one side or the other. In
such a case there is no neutral ground.
When ones house is on fire, or the
life of the country is at stake, shall he
not act and speak out to save or de-
stroy? A journalist may lOll in his
easy chair, and publish cOnundrums,
poetry and fash novelties, if he will,
but he cannot trench on the domain
of politics; he cannot support the
right, which requires v~indicatiOni he
cannot denounce the wrong, which
needs to be crushed out; without
taking sides in an issue wherein pa
triots and spOilsmen are confronted
in hostile array to destroy or save the
American Republic from the gasp of
usurpation and corruption. So, even
though he may cOvet or pretend to
the position of an independent or a
neutral, he will find that independ-
ence is impossible, where the common
good is at stake and the life or death
of liberty and public and individual
prosperity is dependent on the success
full prosecution of measures for re-
form. To be neutral then, is to be
lukewarm and inefficient. To eschew
politics is impossible without an out
right withdrawal from the political
arena, and that mastery inactivity in
a public journal which is imposed on
the pulpit, and which is entirely retl-
cent and expresses no preferences be-
tween candidates, and advocates no
governmental policy whatever. Our
neighbor of the AUaldnche has at
tempted the feat of independence,
and failed of the 'fact accomplished"
we suppose, because of some old
political notions being in the
way. of which the whole build
ing, from garnet to cellar, should
first have been swept clean. And ae-
eordingly in the very effort to take
position for independence he
strikes a blow at once and invites a re-
taIiating response. We think our
neighbor had better abandon all his
independent notions in national poll
tics and stand on one platform or the
other, when there are but two. Is he
for reform or against it? Oris he like
the individual who was Indifferent
when the husband and the bear fought,
and careless whether the country or
the cOrruptionists get the better of the
fight? We do not believe he is neu-
trail, or feels neutral. or can help ia
king position after all. We call his
attention to the following extract
from the Pittsburg Post, not to in
dorse in it anything which may have
an offensive aspect, but because it calls
in question his neutrality, as we think
somewhat Justly, and presents what
looks so like an awkward ~predicament
as in our view to be worthy Of his no
tice. The Post says:
The Memphis AVaJaRche, in a leader
Astounding in ~vagaries, misrepresenta-
tiOns and incOherent rawlings OF dlSeoh-
tent. starts out with the question, Have
we a national party in this country2'
which is sagely answered in the negative;
and. as if bidding for an offer from some
political capitalists, ambitious of proml-
hence or place, il seeks to ignore the eX-
istence Of both the Democratic and Re
publican parties, and affects TO look for
ward to the controlling efficacy OF a
{" Conservative organization" Falling
back upon the insane and suicidal idea
that Southern interests are distinct from
those of the North, il proclaims the right
of the people of the South to live, breathe
and have their being apart nom all ether
sections, and then, In a kind Of Bom'
ties FuriosO tragic style, asks AS
party in the North tho +Lara a
yUNuty will allow US this
~ ere be, what party Is II!
ar accept the Radical party, loI
.,glr dogmas are of such a nature 'HA'
our honor precludes us ubar
Compelled to resort TO any stIaie ~
a-ttarn6tinp TO array the Democratic party
% agafnst Southern interests, and forget
fnI III the fact tina it has always Deel
national and has identified itself Win 20
eoctiou the Avalanche resorts 10 hlsTeP
reseutation and a perversion OF Iac's' /
asks: of the memo
"a Eo-tv al expounded 10 US blythe North
er1 leaders, Let us see. WA save "
the leading Democrats ofthe NorLhI a -
{ can soldier! GoyeThoIt bnmsnity in tn
Fsts war who served from Us ofnmeneen@ al
, to its closet! Hear him: We haVe ~ Utctor.
/ sfion with the south. We are me ns
80 hsIon0 the spOils. We Woulu Us
, Won Tor our advancement, pat we HanDciI
d. cord YOU any voice IN our atioH - nart
, We will NOT desecrate the dignity OF our - y
/ Fy v-.gIng war on your local pollilcsi ~ =
our national distribution OF ioaNSs q 6sS
wen none OF you! we are ms All wei
for mower, and If yOu can serve ", "a
> az mn Won can 20 to the wall Dut uePeG
c upon one thing: The rebeiaous 81 =
the Southern Democracy meets - ~
yerbaration from the Democratic rahAsol IL
I North"
The Avalanche is pursuing the yer
u oonrse which IL affected TO deprecaIe
and in its pseudo advocacy OF souther
|, interests is contributing more TO the haS
: icaI power.which is certainly antagonist
l. to il, than any Republican journal I'D Il
a Northern States.