Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-12-09

of party politics and conducted
upon the single issue-the pros.
penty of Memphis. The Radicals
having made their party nominations
last night fOn municipal officers, the can
vass commences this morning in good
earnest. 1t tpronises to be characterized
by great bitterness and personal asperi
ty; but in entering upon the discharge
of the duties we are expected to perform,
we would say, in the outset, that this
contest is one that rises high above per-
sonaI considerations, and while the AP-
PEAL viii boldly, earnestly and fearless
ly support the peoples nominees, in the
interest of the public good, its columns
will net be prostituted to that
personal calumny and defama-
tion which so often disfigures con-
tests for the election of public officers.
The public course Of men belong to the
community, and may be freely can
vassed, but when private reputation is
ssssiled 70 destroy candidate the can
vass sinks IN dignity, and partakes of
all the littleGess and baseness of a con-
test between bullies and roughs. One
of the chief functions of the press is to
scrutinize the character and fitness of
men who become candidates for high DO
sition, and to crlticise them with what
ever freedom the public interest may
require; bat the day has passed when
an editor can be kept chained like a
burly bulldog, to be turned loose by his
masters and set upon opposing candi-
dates at pleasure. We shall use moth
ing but decent, legitimate material in
the present canvass, and there is surely
enough to defeat John League and to Sc
cure the election of Major ]. ]. Busby.
If there were no other, the fact of Mr..
Leagues being a partisan candi-
date in an election for an
office which has nothing to do
with politics, but much concerning
the future welfare and prosperity
Of Memphis, would be sufficient reason
for opposing him. The people are heart
sore Of narrow, illiberaI, unjust parti-
sanship which rewards its rings and
managers at their expense. The ed
itors of the APPEAL have given
the vigor Of their youth and the mature
energies of their manhood 10 party.
They sustained Democracy in the oblo-
guy that has 50 long flooded its name.
They have labored, however humbly,
still sincerely, unselfishly and earnestly,
in season and out Of season, to maintain
its supremacy. They judged its errors
generously, and answered its call with
pride. They were not of those who
crowded its temples in the day of its
triumph; its honOrs and laurels were
freely accorded to others. But they
could see no connection between De-
mocracy and a Memphis mayor, and
two years ago, in the interest of the
people, they opposed Democratic nom-
instion for mayor. -Four months ago
we took the same position, and, as an
earnest Of our sincerity, we publicly
and privately expressed a readiness to
support 1. NJ. Hill, William r. Moore,
or Hon. Henry G. Smith, express
ing the hope that the people would unite
On either Of these Republicans, and that
they might be elected irrespective: Of
party. But the leaders Of the Radical
psrty were 50 esgor for spoils and plum
der that they could not rise to a patri-
otic duty, and they nave put forward a
party candidate. But these demagogues
will learn by the result of the present
contest that parties rise and fall with
the ebbs and flows Of public opinion,
and that those who spurn party politics
in an election like this, and look
only TO the material interest and
prosperity Of people struggling to re-
cuperate their lost fortunes, will survive
he wreck Of every mere partisan
structure, and the memory Of the men
who blindly cling to party for self
aggrandizement. Politics are contempt
ible in the present election. Poor Mem
phis is struggling like a blind giant.
She is just emerging from a terrible
ordeal, and in her great woes she cries
to her children for help. Elmwood is
billowed with the graves of those swept
away by the scourge, while the
neighboriDg hiIlsides and plains are
ridged with the tombs of loved ones.
Memphis, amid the dark shadows
Of almost universal gloom and bereave-
ment, has determined to make one more
desperate effort for greatness and pros
perlty. She is the fairest child Of proud
commonwealth. She is the emporium
Of Tennessee, and if true to herself, she
will emerge from her late misfortunesi
and rise to new efforts and new triumphs.
With the view of taking new start in
the race 10 greatness and prosperity,
the people Of Memphis met in
mass-convention two weeks ago,
and renouncing party preIudices,
nominated Major J. ]. Busby
for mayor. he comes before the peo-
pie spnrning party shibboleths. His po-
litics is the future greatness of Mem
phis, the best means by which to promote
her prosperity. His integrity, Roman