Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-15
pIsAFFECTIoN.

We are not surprised that the senior
editor of the Jackson Wing should OPP
nose the assembling of the Democratic
Convention in this district to nominate
candidates for Congress, knowing him,
as we do, to be in favor of the third party
movement. He has been engaged Tor
some time in canvassing the district,
endeayoring to arouse old prejudices
AGAINST the name of Democrat, and Ito
substitute in the place of it the name
Conservative. When now the call has
been made by Mr. NJ L. d. Stewart,
of the State Central Democratic Com
mittee. for convention of our
friends to assemble, 1t is alleged
by this crazy old politician that he
(Stewart) lacked the authority for issu-
ingsuch a summons, and proposes himself
TO call convention of the Conservative
neople of the District Right here is
where the fight must commence, if It is
made at all by the third partisans.- If
they consent to affiliate with Democrats
in their meetings, it makes them bound
to whatever action may be taken by that
particular party. This was apparent to
their understanding, and, at once, the
war commenced, when the Central
Democratic Committee of the State
made its call for a convention to
nominate candidate for Governor on
the 18th of September next. In this
first attack, it was thought by these dis
contented spirits who favor the third
party, that it was a fine piece of strategy
TO change the call in words suitable TO
their peculiar notions. 1t was by them
thought that they could deceive the pub
lie into the idea there really was no party
in the State styling itself the Demo
cratic party but that there was party
called the Conservatives that was only
opposed to radicalism in the State. We
have no knowledge of such party in
Tennessee at this time, save that which
exists in the imaginations of few news
PAPER editors. When Seymour and
Blair ran against Grant and Colfax we
were then called Democrats, and by
these editors themselves. What reason
is there now for going by another nameY
Our principles are the same as then, and
we have made no change throughout, as
a party, except that we have grown
stronger and more capable Of competing
with an enemy that, in the last contest,
was found match for us. We object to
being called by the simple name Con-
servative, which can be made to mean
Conservative Radicals as well as Con-
servatiye Democrats. 1t is meaning
less, ambiguous term, that may be
applied to everything and nothing
after all. If coupled with the
word Democrat, we then can understand
in what sense it is intended to be used.
Ifjoined to that of Republican, we know
it is antagonistic to us of the South
it matters not what may be alleged by
its advocates. The gain that is now be-
ing attempted is to divide our forces in
this district, and to break down the
Democratic organization. Gates, of the
Wing, understands that, and takes adj
vantage of the disafecton Of the
Brownsville Bee and others of our
friends who oppose the call as made by
Mr.. Stewart. 1t has been said that eter-
nal vigilance is the price Of liberty, and
sure such vigilance is required on our
part to preserve intact the organization
that alone can compete in this Govern
ment with the arch iend Radicalism.
There is the least possible excuse
for an objection to all the
counties in this district meeting by their
representatives in convention here in
Memphis, as is suggested by the call of
Mr. Stewart The place is a good one,
and as TO the basis Of representation,
that can be arranged when the Conven-
ton meets for business. The time could
not be fixed other than it was, for sew
eral reasons. The most prominent is
that Of the State Convention coming
of on the 18th Of the same
month, which would interfere with
any other arrangement than that made
We hope, and believe, that all the coun-
ties Of this District will send forward
their delegations to the Convention
called in this city on the lst Of Septem-
Der: and, If so, We will insure harmon
ious meeting and the nomination of
man that viii be acceptable to the good
people Of the entire district The Radi-
icals are looking and anxiously hoping for
advisor in ourranks In heaven = name
let them be Disappointed on this oce-
sion, and all win be right.