Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-01-06
SATURDAY MORNING, IAN. 6, 1872.
rHE POWER OF THE PRESS.

II anybody still doubts the power Of
the press In which the people rspose con-
hdence we would refer them to the re-
suit Of the recsnt municipal election In
this city. But for the opposition of the
Ledger and APPEAL, 3 regular ward con-
vsntion would have been forced upon the
people In utter disregard Of their known
wishes. The Democratic msjority in this
city is so de cided that there were indies
tions that the contest would degen-
crate into squsbbles for nominations,
where elections would hsva been merely
the registration Of foregene conclusions.
As In New York, where the majority is
20 powerful IS not to be In fesr Of an or
gAnizsd and vigorous minority, the city
government, being practically in the
hands Of the plsce-hunters, the offices
become mere matters Of bargain and sale.
The people were unwilling to hazard the
election OF John johnson TO tricksters,
who, to accomplish their selfish pun
poses, would not hesitate to pack q con-
vention, butcher a faithful officer and
nominate an INSCRIPTIONS partisan, who
csred nothing for the prosperity Of the
city, 80 he rewarded his supporters, But
The people would have baen powerless
hsd they not been sustained by the
Ledger and the APPEAL. The siSnihcance
OF the election on Thursday il that il was
carried by the two papers named. They
defeated the usual machinery Of q nomi-
mating convention, which many citizens
have come 70 regard as Indispensable to
an election, and which many wel-mesn-
ing persons have msde efforts TO purge by
way Of securing the purity of elections.
The fact is, If these things fall into the
control Of 3 powerful ring, there is no way
given among men whereby they may be
wIesbed from that control. The honest
men who may feel moved by s sense of
public duty 10 attend them do so n vain;
Tor they find thst their own lack Of organ
izstion makes them, sven If they are nu-
merically in the nsjority, an easy prey
70 those who have possession Of the
party machinery, and whom long prsc-
tce enables TO manipulate It sue
cessfuny. when public opinion be-
comes clearly outraged, and finds that
the regular partisan organization gives
It only the chance OF choosing between
two sets of men, the effective way is for
the recognized e~xponsnts Of pubic opin-
ion-thst is, the newspspers-to give 1t
shape by combining to name and advocate
a ticket independent Of party ties. OF
course, the press could not have done this
unless public opinion had been with 1t.
But 1t is equally true that public opi-
MON could not hsve effected it with
but the aid Of newspapers, There are
reasons why it Is not desirable thst
commissions should usually be made by A.,
-he press, for If the nominations were I
lsbitually managed by he press, the :
press would become as corrupt as the /
present machinery for the selection Of ]
candidates. But it is worth the attention {
II "rings" in all large cities that there is /
point where public f-orbssrancs with 7
heir schemes ceases, and that, when that :
is reached, there is, in the press, .
mode OF organizing an opposition d
Thick is potent enough utterly to o
ipset them and their schemes. While we I
n~tertsin these views IN regard to cleo .
ions purely municipal, involving no 8
srty issues or significance, We believe L
here are occasions whef conventions =
hould be held and when nominations d
aould be as binding SO q note or bond. Ii
( these occasions we shall hereafter ?
peak, and when they arise the APPEAL ,
i'll be true to the behests Of the party. p