Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-15
CONSERVATIVE TICKET.
THE NORTHERN ELECTIONS.

TAk NOhIhEhN ELECIlONos
The recent elections in Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana and Nebraska convey a
lesson which is both hard to learn and
unpleasant to accept; but we might as
well look the question square in the
face. The utterances of Vallandigham,
though not re-echoed, are brought forci-
bly, to mind We see, for the second or
third time since that period, which We
would gladly never mention again-the
war-that any movement Endorsed by
the South or by the people styled North
ern Democrats, is at once blighted by
suspicion of an alliance with another
rebellion. The war party in power
will not be convinced by any
professions that we or our friends can
offer that we of the South as a people
are loyal or fit to be trusted The
Northern masses will never forget the
rebellion, or fully forgive those who fol-
lowed its banners. Our support of
Greeley makes him, in the estimation of
several millions, the Ku-Klux candi-
date, and those who gained their politi-
cal education from the Tribune are
taught that they have been betrayed,
and that the Grant party alone can pre-
serve the integrity Of the Union. There
fore they sustain the Administration to
secure the results of the war, and shut
their eyes to everything else. They
are taught that the government
is again imperiled by traitors in
their party and foes without,
and it is useless to tell them OF corrup-
ton and defalcations in their own ranks,
for loyalty TO the war party is the only
standard by which they will consent to
judge any set of men aspiring to hold
the reins of government. To oppose
Grant is to be a rebel, if not Ku-Klux. |
This idea seems imperishable with the
Northern masses, and the sooner we
learn their temper the better, that we
may meet it with proper arguments. |
There is but one honorable way to
shorten their ascendancy, and that is to |
keep our powder dry and attend strictly |
to our local affairs. We have been in
vited to the national board, but have not
met cordial welcome, nor will we unless
we submit to put on the habiliments
of contrition and wear the badge
Of obedient subjects, as the vassals
Of pompous power. When we pro-
claim that we are about TO secure
the reins Of government by civil
and legal means IT is considered another
on to Washington as offensive as if
from Richmond in go. Having ac-
cepted the situation in good faith, we
must exercise long patience and forti-
tude. The party in power does not
choose TO believe that we are in earnest,
or that we relinquish our claims for the
Confederate war debt. This ia an out
line Of the situation, aud the people can
make the most of it. Further guaran-
tees we cannot with dignity or self
respect be expected TO make, but we can
begin 10 realize that we have for the
present no bright prospect Of any lot or
part in the national Government. The
Northern Democrats were war Demo
Gratis, and they differ chiefly from Re-
publicans in the fact that they are out of
Office and anxious to come into power.
They have failed utterly 10 carry their
own States in the most important cleo
tons, and It is not likely that they can
afford us any assistance for some time
to come In fact. they need our help
worse than we need theirs, for we have
learned to do without Office or govern
ment patronage, and are in that respect
the most independents people in the
world, while they continually hunger
and sigh for the husks that fall from the
public crib. Our course is plain. We
should at all hazards stand by principle,
keep aloof from national nominations,
and cast our votes as in the Senter cleo
ton, for the party that will proclaim he
most liberal constitutional policy, pro
vided that party can make good its word.
These are plain truths well worth pon-
dering. however disagreeable. aud teach
Us to bide our time patiently.