Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-11-04
THE ELECTION.

The election tomorrow is fraught with
consequences of unusual import which
cannot be fully worked out or realized
for many months to come. Whether
Greeley or Grant be elected, it will be
determined whether the Liberal party
has any real, permanent vitality, and
whether its adherents, who espoused the
cause so earnestly few months ago,
have the courage TO defy defeat and
assert their integrity in the face OF a
confident aud boastful party. From the
data furnished by recent events, fresh in
the mind Of the public, we cannot derive
assurances that a majority of the Gree
lev electors will be elected. The ma
chinery Of the party in power is so per
feet and the money that has been and
will be used is so potent on poor, weak
human nature that reaction OF sulh-
Gent force to defeat all these elements
would indeed be a revolution. Men of
nerve and moral courage, however, will
not be deferred from voting as Judgment
and conscience may dictate They who
have followed the Democratic and the
Liberal cause for the last few years are
of the true heroic type, else the waves
Of defeat would long since have washed
them away frem the rock of true consti-
tutionel principles, to which they will
adhere in disaster as well as success.
We believe that the Liberal party will
develop strength that viii explain the
vigorous efforts made recently by the
Administration in various States OF the
Union. The ablest speakers of the Re-
publican party, North and South, have
been detailed to canvass the South IN
particular and the North in general.
We have had Maynard of Tennessee,
Alcorn OF Mississippi, Bingham of Ohio,
and Gen. Hall Of Maine, all here within
the last few days, doing their part OF the
campaign. Political speeches and other
documents have been distributed with
prodigal abundance, and the mails have
been Overlooking with this kind of
political matter for weeks and weeks.
The Federal Office holders throughout
the land, and their friends, and all who
aspire for appointments, have been at
work, and will use their utmost influence
10 roll up a big vote for Grant.
The Pennsylvania election was proved
TO be fraud, but that merely shows
what can and will be done whenever it is
thought necessary. The result merely
disclosed the situation, but probably
changed very few votes from the Liberal
party. In fact, it is believed that Ohio
will show large gain in the direction OF
reform and reconciliation since the Dc
sober election. Whether the State can
be carried depends upon the organized
efforts OF the Ohio Liberals, for organi-
cation is everything in a contest like
This. Indiana will doubtless 60 for Gree
lev and Brown and from all indications
II is confidently believed that the vote
cast Tomorrow in the various States of
the Union will indicate that some real
proeress has been made toward liberal
izing the masses, and that Grant, if re-
elected. will be constrained 70 recognize
the movement and make some conces
s;ons 10 the feelings Of fraternity and
the broader views Of national unity that
are growing up all over the land. We
have GOOD hopes Of the moral effect Of
this election, whether Greeley or Grant
he suocessfnl, and whatever the prospect
NAV be- Il is fhe duty of every citizen to
vote his sentiments fearlessly and TO en-
courage others to 20 TO the polls. This
elsceon will be taken as the standard TO
ds,e,mfae the strength Of parties and
factions h Tennessee for several years
to come. BIZ tive are to ascertain the
highes, possible sfrength Of the Repub-
Iiean party as concentrated upon Grant
and Maynard. The disorganizers who
have dreams Of a third ipassy. viii poh
their utmost available vote, anq the
Liberal Democrats. as We believe VIA
sweep everything before them and yin-
dictate not only true priuciples and
sound policy, bsi the power Of orgsni-
zaton over both covert and open
enemies.