Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-23
THE INDEPENDENTS


A few papers in the State have re-
Gently made war on the convention sys-
TEN, and Andrew johnson, who never in
his life refused u nomination at the
hands OF convention, has found out
that they are all frauds. Had he been
nominated instead of Cheatham all
would have been lovely, and he would
have accepted the honor as usual, and
his friends. who find so many exceptions
to the convention system, would have
fallen into line ready to do valiant SER
vice for the nominee. Such is the in
ference which we draw when they say
they support him because he is the best
man. Yet none of these journals, as
well as we recollect, have declared
that they would have supported johnson
as the nominee Of q convention had
Cheatham been running as an indie
pendent. Suchis their aversion to con-
ventions that they must feel thankful to
the 2lst of August convention for not
taking up johnson and thus forcing
them, in supporting their favorite, to in
dorse a conventions action. johnson
needed organs, or if that term is obnox-
ious, papers, to support him. he found
one daily in each division of the State.
The papers needed champion in the
field. johnson was just the man, and
they all unite in the chorus down with
conventions" but offer no other system
as a substitute. They would tear
down, but cannot build up; de-
stroy, but create nothing but chaos.
None Of them admit that they desire
to see the Radicals again controlling the
State, yet they would break up the only
organization which has ever held the
Radicals in cheek. Perhaps they mean
to organize the Independents into a
party, composed OF the good men Of all
shades of opinion. This has been init
mated, but what would such a party be
without committees aud conventions
and all the machinery of any other
party2 1t has been said exultingly that
Horace Greeley is an independent, and
that all who support him are committed
to the policy of disorganization. Among
Republicans this may appear SO. In one
sense Greeley is an independent, but
only so far as ref5rner breaking loose
from corruptions in an administration
which have not in general or in particu-
lar been charged upon the Democratic
party Of Tennessee. He was nominated
at convention held by wing Of his
rarity, and afterward at Baltimore by q
National Democratic Convention called
and held in the usual form. DO these
papers repudiate Nr. Greeley because he
was nominated through the machinery
of eonven;ions2 To be consistent they
should have candidate selfaunounced.
This movement here in Tennessee means
primarily the total disruption of the
Democratic party as it has existed since
the enfranchisement Of tie whites and
their accession. That being done they
must either fall into the Republican
ranks or reorgsnize such elements as
could be brought together into a new
party. The former we do not charge,
the latter does not promise to be an i'm
provement in the present state oftbings.
What assurance can they give Of a better
party when they ask the white and col
ored Democrats OF the State TO disband2
A new organization would have 10 he
made, for no party ever existed any
length of time without Organization and
conventions and unity; without these
there would be nothing but empiv words
and confusion Of tongues worse than
Babel. These Independents, who were
mostly Southern sympathizers, take oe.
casion to denounce the old secession
leaders from day to day, which is a safe
If not harmless employment, for the Sc
cession leaders are not capable, if in.
clined, to do any great harm. Many Of
them are dead, nearly all lost what prop
erty they had, and the few remaining
ones are generally content, as
says, TO entertain The
lag end of life with quiet
hours" General Cheatham was not one
Of them, for, as We have been told of
late, he was no speaker; consequently
knew nothing Of the subtle art Of firing
TIE Southern heart. Governor Harris,
the most notable secessionist, las never
since the war, asked FOR any Office, er
until now taken any part 10 politics.
We cannot call to mind half a dozen
original secessionists Of prominence
Who exercise a controlling influence in
State politics, OF who desire to be lead
ers. Yet the great independent party
starts out BY prescribing original seces-
slonisis' and charging the leaders Of 81