Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-12-06
rHE ruruRE on PARTIES

ne uumluiofatiph PotNJ h~'HS ~
umphed by an unusual vote through th'
apathy Of the opposition and the mis-
management of certain leaders, who
showed more eagerness for Office than
the success Of principles, it was thought
by many that such u statesmanlike pol
lev would be adopted as to reclaim the
Liberal Republicans and neutralize the
Democracy for the next four years, and
that meanwhile but one national party
would exist and the people could rest
from the turmoil Of politics. But this
dream, so fond to some, was not to be
realized The victors not only appro
pirate tie spoils, but show disposition
to punish their late opponents with all
the severity in their power. This creates
sympathy at once for Carl SchuTz and
Trumbull, Fenton and Banks, Bayard
and all the Liberal Republicans. 1t
drives them into combination with the
Democrats in Congress and perpetuates
q union Of the two elements, which might
have ceased after the Presidential cleo
ticn had tie Grant party contained
more true statesmen and fewer vindic-
tive partisans. The Presidents message
contained no suggestion of a kindly
spirit toward the South, and no rebuke
for the abuse Of authority and squan-
dering Of public money by his subordi-
mates. He had no recommendation TO
make in favor of universal amnesty,
which would relieve few gentlemen OF
political disabilities, and not at al en-
danger the government, for these men
are as harmless as any others who have
been already relieved, And now, Con-
gress being assembled, the great oppor-
tunity for conciliating all elements and
classes by just and bipartisan line OF
policy is not availed, but the same old
spirit of prejudice and persecution crops
out. which has kept the nation in strife
and unhappy excitement ever since the
war: it is still to rule, and stronger
hand than ever will be laid on all who
have differed however mildly from the
dominant party. These facts must
cause sincere regret to every true lover
of his country. We had hoped that an
era Of better feeling had dawned and
that such broad ideas would be adopted
as to disarm opposition and satisfy the
whole people that the government would
be administered for their benefit, and
not run as mere political machine to
reward friends and punish enemies. The
Senate Republican caucus at Washing
ton yesterday decided to assign no place
on the committees to the Liberal Repub-
licans, who are therefore left to arrange
with the Democrats who shall fill the
minority vacancies. Mr.. Schurz is
to be deposed as chairman Of the
Foreign Relations committee. There
will be still a vacancy, however,
on the committee, to which the mi
nority may have him appointed
One vacancy is left on each committee
which can be filed by the opposition.
The President has merely stood his
ground, or perhaps has slightly encour-
aged reform, but in Congress the pro
seriphve spirit OF former years has full
sway; hence, the plain inference that
there is cause and a necessity for an
opposition party, and although it may
not be speedy reorganized, as no gene
raj elections take place for two years, it
will be done just as certainly as we have
always had two parties since the founda.
ton Of the government And when
done it will not be led by mere Office
seekers, but by clear headed statesmen
like Trumbull Schurz, Alcorn, Graft
Brown, John G. Brown, Lamar, Of Mis-
sissippi, aud by an intelligent, fearless
press, which will appeal always to rea-
son and patriotism rather than narrow
sectional prejudices or hope Of party
spoils.