Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-11-07
PUBLIC LEDGER.
TIVE AFTER THOUGHT.


THE AFTER THOUGHT.
This is the second time since the war
that the Northern Democrats have called
upon the Southern people to join them
in a national movement which resulted
in ignominious failure. Greeley's defeat
Is more decided than Seymour's, and
the Southern Democrats who carried
few States in good faith, learn with dis
NAV, if not disgust that their Northern
brethren, as usual, scarcely carried a
single State. We have said within the
last month that Northern Democrats
differed chiefly from Republicans in
being out &C office and hungering for the
Rusks in the public crib, while we of the
South expect nothing, and are supremely
fortunate in never being disappointed.
The leade-s=of the South, however, may
he somewhat different from the masses,
for they acted in bad Judgment, if not
faith in nominating Greeley at Balti-
more II was clean surrender, which
would not have been compensated even
by Greeley election. 1t was too trans
uarent. and the masses of the Southern
States swallowed the Sage of Chappaqua
with many rrimace and quirm, while
great numbers refused to vote at all, and
some of the bold, Mosby way of think
ing voted straight out for Grant, like
Alexander who used his sword to cut
,be Cordian knot. There is but one
national party left, and that is the Re
puSlicar, aor is it likely that reorgan-
;zation of the opposition will soon
he effected. though State organizations
Of the Liberals and Democrats may
be maintained in some quarters for local
puruoses. Perhaps our people will see
now that It is best to raise cotton IN
stead Of politics. In common with the
Democratic journals Of the State we adj
vocated the election of Greeley not
that he was our favorite, but because as
sured that he represented great Lab
eral movement and Republican reform
party. This was mistake; he scarcely
commanded the strength Of the Demo-
cratic party in the North, where Gov
eminent patronage and prestige swept
everything. But now that the contest is
over, we feel it a right and duty to
point out the mistakes and weak points
of our own men and party, and If posi-
bic to divert public sentiment from mere
partisanship to an intelligent con-
sideration of the late campaign, and
the duties that devolve on us as citizens
having an interest in the future of the
whole country. The situation is easily
comprehended. The Liberal Republi-
cans and the Democrats who united
some enthusiasm at the outset have
been growing weaker every day since
the Baltimore convention. They were
terribly defeated, especially in the sec
ton where the movement originated,
aud Grant is as complete master OF the
field as we was at Appomattox Court
house. He was elected by all kinds OF
votes, including no small number OF
ex-Confederates, and may, if he will, BY
liberal course make his administration
u III
tolerable, if not popular. with all.
Nothing remains but to pick out our cot
ton, pay our debts, attend to our buSl-
ness as usual, lock the door at night and
sleep soundly. There is not likely to
be any great revolution in politics,
finances or our social systems for years to
come. The country is growing rapidly;
wonderful progress goes on in the arts,
sciences and industries of the world,
aud it is not probable that the press will
fail to find subjects of interest to dis
cuss, or that the people will want for
healthy mental excitement. In a few
days the election will be spoken OF as a
matter Of course which all had expected
and other topics will claim public at.
tentiou, among which our State affairs
will occupy a large space. The new
Legislature in this State meets on the
first Monday in next January, when We
will probably begin to realize more fully
what it means to throw away Conser
yative majority and give the RADICAL
control of our State and county affairs
But Of this we shall speak from time t.
time hereafter.