Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-07
Democratic Nominees.
FOR THE LEGISLATURE.
j. M. CREWS.
w. ID. LUMPkIN.
OLD AND NEW PARTIES.


Brown, that the political parties, as they
formerly existed in the Southern States
previous to the late war, and their
names as well as their creeds, belong now
to history. And, as such is the case, we
see no good sense in endeavorng to
revive old party prejudices among us,
who should stand united as broth
erhood. But it became necessary, after
our defeat, to reorganize, looking to
the protection Of ourselves, through the
means OF the ballot-box, from that
same enemy who, with bayonet in hand,
for four years trampled and destroyed
our fair land In taking view of the
status of parties at the North, it was
plain to our mental vision at once that
of the two then existing the Democratic
party was the only one that held out a
healing salve to our wounded condition.
The Radicals were more hostile then, if
possible, than when tlA war ragged with
its fercest fury. The armies had sue
ceeded in Handwriting us, and in that
state Radical politicians took delight in
despoiling us of what little Of wealth
and liberty had been left in the country.
We could not look for succor from that
source, but, upon the contrary, the worst
Of persecution. On the other hand, the
Democratic party offered to give us alb
solution and complete freedom for what
had been held by the North as an act of
treason against the Government. The
Constitution by that party at the North,
even at that day, was regarded as the
great palladium of American liberty,
while the Radicals looked upon it in the
light of minor Importance to the success
of their party schemes. 1t was then
natural and reasonable to suppose
that we of the South would immedi-
ately strike hands with those who, were
most friendly to us. We have done so
in good faith for the purpose of some
what regaining our lost condition and
restoring each of the States TO their
original position in the Union. The
creeds that once distinguished the
Wings and Democrats have passed
away as the consumed rubbish Of
the times. The name merely Of the
Democratic party is preserved with few
of the leading ideas of the platform that
the more sensible of Wings at this day
will themselves confess to be right. 1t
is not with view Of the original stand
ing Of these two parties that we invite
0ld-Line Wings to rally under the Dem
ocratic standard of to-day, but TO the
platform we now stand on, whichis broad
and liberal enough to embrace all live
politicians who complement the issues
Of the hour. Democracy now means
anti-Radiealism, and men who think
correctly at the South will not refuse to
give in their support to it because it
bears name that was once antagOnis-
tic to Whiggery. Our probable candidate
for Governor-General Brown-has con-
fessed himself a Democrat who was
once Wing, and the members of that
old party, who expressed so much
admiration for him, would do well
to follow his example. 1t was
most cruel blow, however, to the
Banner and Avalanche, of this State,
to thus have their fondest hopes decay
and wither so soon, after they had bud
ded into promise There is no middle
ground to stand on, for a man must be
either Democrat or a Radical, as these
are but the only two parties in exist
ence. Conservatism, so called is but
another Trojan horse filed with armed
men. who are Radicals, and when
brought within the walls of our citadel
will prove our destruction as a party.
Give us the simon-pure name, Democrat,
that no Grecian arts may be practiced
upon us. We know what it means and
fear no treachery from it.