Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-23
ANOTHER DEPARTURE.

Under the shadow of the Ku-Klux law,
standing by the borders of South Carolina
we look over upon counties overrun
with troops, and spies, and informers;
casting our eyes to the West, we see the
party of principle stricken down and
trampled, with its glorious colors, into
the dirt. Looking to Washington, we
see man sitting in the chair of Chief
Magistracy, fortified with an army, and
covered all over with gifts-the price of
official favor Living in the South, we
see our people governed by hordes Of
enemies whom the war left among them,
or the crippled condition of the South
and the passion of gain brought down
to rule and to rob. We see our great
men excluded from privileges the lowest
negro possesses. We see our population
run down with the instruments of the
Ku-Klux law, captured, dragged hun
dreds of miles from home and thrown
into dirty dungeons, and upon the testi-
mony of blacks, who know not the
sanctity of an oath, but recognize only
the commands of their masters. We see
the powers of the States gone, and
great centralized despotism erected at
Washington. We grieve over the reflects
of the old Government as they lie
strewn about the feet of imperial power.
We would gather them together If we
could, and of them construct raft upon
which to float back to the good old har-
Dor. In whatever direction the eye turns
It discovers nothing but wreck and ruin
of the past, and we still fight over old
issues, when the question, as Trumbull
says, is narrowed down to this; Shall
we have Government Of republican
principles, or shall we have a centralized
despotsm at Washington This is true.
1t is the only question, the only issue be-
tween the national parties. Congress
and the President have made the issue.
II is not to be mistaken. The despotism
is not to be, but is an existing fact. 1t
is over South Carolina, and it may soon
be over all the Southern States. The
President has the power to extend it at
pleasure II is absolute. 1t is not to
be questioned, except by the great body
of the good men of all parties of all
sections Of the country, laying aside,
4, for the time, their old differences, and
coming together for one single, grand
purpose-the overthrow Of despotism
and the reclamation Of the republic.
And we fight over the old issues that
look like hills beside the mountain of
this Administration crimes 1t is be-
lieyed that there is only one mode
of escape for the country. The
opponents of Grants Administra-
ton, Democratic and Republican, must
come together. Gratz Brown, Chase,
Fenton, Cox, Clay, Trumbull, Noyes,
Schurz and other anti-G Grant Republicans,
could, acting with the Democracy, de-
feat Grant next year. But i is certain
that they would not support the nomi-
nee of a Democratic convention. They
would not, if they did, be able to carry
their people with them. And now comes
the great trial for the Democracy.
There is no use in attempting to conceal
the fact: there is a sentiment springing
up in the country to the effect that the
only chance TO defeat Grant is for the
Democrats to make no nomination, but
throw their whole strength for some Con-
seryative Republican. 0fleourse they
would retain their organizations, State
and national, elect Democratic members
Of Congress and Legislatures as hereto
fore. This would not amount TO a dis
bandment Of the party. For one, we
should not consent to that, nor do we
mean to be understood to advise the
policy we have alluded to- But we do
say this: II would be better to run the
risk Of disruption Of our party than
have Grant President four years more.
At the end of that time Il is not prob
able that there would be a Democratic,
or any other party-nothing but mill
tary despotism.