Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-07-24
A Few REMARKS.

We do not aspire to lead in the coun-
ellis Of or to be obtrusively prominent
in, the Democratic party. We intend TO
sustain it, however, let its platforms be
Bourbon or departurist, or what not
The questions that distract its internal
harmony should be discussed and set
tied in the council-room, and not before
the public. Its discussions are notpnblic
property, unless they are gratuitously
peddled out by Democrats. We takeit
that no platform for 1872 can be
arranged before 1872. A general can
not plan an attack on an enemy
until he is informed Of his posi-
ton, the strength of his army and its
disposition. Generalship that would
attempt so absurd thing would, in
some countries, bring the generals head
to the block, or dozen bullets to his
heart. Suppose the discussion now
going on should result in patched-up
peace in the ranks Of the Democracy.
Suppose non-departpre should be the
basis of it, or that the majority sho1ld
decide on departure. What would, in
either case, be gained? Nothing, for
the irrefutable reason that antagonisms,
though they may be smothered, cannot
be extinguished by resolutions, when
patriotism is not predominant over pas
sion and the suggestions Of such ele-
ments as selfrespect and political con-
sistency. Upon all essential points of
policy the Democracy are in harmony,
and that they do not think so is because
of the gravity of the debate now going
on between leading minds upon is
sues that are impracticable, but mag
nifed by the heat of discussion. 1t is
lamentable that, at time in our history
the most perilous the country has ever
known, the only party that has the dis
position to preserve free government
should be stricken, in the very face Of
the enemy, with fatal paralysis. And
what is most remarkable is the fact that
the cause is just no cause at all, unless
little things that amount to nothing are
greater than large ones that amount to
all the world The way things are GO
ing on indicates a harmonious Radical
ism and divided Democracy the nom
ination and re. election of Grant, and the
Empire. Whether in name or not, that
mans reelection would be an indorse-
ment of acts that no one not sover-
eign would have dared to undertake
Will Democrats deny this2 The infamous
amendments pasted to the Constitution
for partisan ends will perish in the con-
Aagration that reduces the whole instru-
ment to ashes. To debate policies and
principles peculiar to our form of gov
eminent, is to overlook the main ques-
ton, and to assume that the structure is
foreman unmolested. There was never
a grayer mistake. The Radical party is
not content with the changes they have
made in the Constitution. II is not
more criminal to abrogate the whole
than to murder part Of it. II is the
lion in the path Of its ambition. The
only fear the leaders have is that the
people will not sustain the departure
from republic to a monarchy. They
were beaten, detected, demoralized, I'M
til Vallandigham threw an obstruction
across the path of the Democracy. Then
they burstinto an uproar oflaughter; and
when theparty was blind enough to STUN
BILE over it, the Radical pandemonium
broke forth in shouts glad as those that
rose from hell when Adam was driven
from the garden of God. We beg the
people 10 discountenanee strifes, bicker-
ings and devilment in the Democratic
party. If we have divisions Of senti-
ment, let them be disposed of in the coun-
ell chamber, and not be paraded before
the world to dispoil us of our strength,
and render the election of Grant a con-
clusion that no sane man can avoid.
.