Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-06-12
A POLITICAL CONVERSION.
How u Combination Man Becomes a
BartlettIte.

The Bartlett movement burst like |
shell beneath the political seats of many
would-be leaders of the negroized Radi
cal party Of Shelby county. The great
majority OF the leaders of that comb
nation which won in the last Mayora lty
election are now working earnestly for
the Bartlett movement. There are a
few strays" yet in the political bushes,
but even these are coming in daily.
Our Ledger Liner knows Of one comb
nation man who put in two entire weeks
in travelling from the combination camp
to the Bartlett. Two weeks ago he
boosted on the streets that the negroes
and white Radicals had majority OF
votes in Shelby county. When this as
sertion was refuted he insisted that the
Irish and Germans would work with the
negroes through the August and No
vember elections. The anti-Radical
attitude taken by the Irish and
Germans in the present campaign
settled that point, SO our friend had to
come to the scratch. He visited the
City Hall, took fore and back sight of
the political field, and saw nothing but
defeat staring the negro party in the
face. That night he went to bed and
dreamed that he was in Bartlett" that
he was Bartlettite, associating with
men of his own color and proclivities.
He woke his wife up by shouting out in
his sleep the magic word, the open
sesame, Bartlett" When asked by
his cora sposa, What girl is that you
were talking about2" he apologetically
answered, "No girl, but a party-the
white mans party. I'm going to join
il" The sleepy old lady muttered some
thing indorsing such course, and our
friend went into the land of dreams once
more. Next day he looked rather shy at
politicians, especially those to whom he
had been blowing about the great strength
of the African vote He talked no politics
that day; he kept shady, and the next
day he ventured remark in a crowd
that the Bartlett movement was a
strong one" Surprised that no one
denied the charge, he offered another
opinion; he believed that if the Bart
lettites nominated good ticket it would
be hard to beat" This was agreed to
on all sides, and again he was dumb
founded, That night he dreamed that
he approached the Bartlett msnsion he
saw the doors wide open and several of
his white friends and neighbors standing
within. He walked rapidly by on the
opposite side OF the street, keeping one
eye on the place, and said to himself;
If any of those fellows call me, |
believe I'll walk over and see what's GO
ing on" But they did not call, and he
went on to the next corner, stopped,
whistled and lit a cigar. Occasionally
he would glance back quickly at the
Bartlett mansion, but all seemed quiet.
He crossed the street, walked slowly
down toward Bartlett, and when he got
within few feet of the place stopped
suddenly as if he had forgotten some
thing, gazes furtively around to see
whether or not somebody was looking at
him, and marched back clear around the
square until he came in view of Bartlett
again, Courage" he said to the inner
man. Hang i'll the negro party does
not own you. Be independent and do
as you please" But everybody will
laugh at you if you change" whispered
the evil Radical spirit. Let them
laugh. Who laughs last laughs best.
Hal hA hal Go on old boy, you are
getting all right" He walked rapidly
past the open Bartlett doors, but did not
ook in. Nobody said a word. Pooh
no danger" whispered the good spirit;
u do it again" 81 will, by thunderl"
he replied aloud, as he again dashed at
Bartlett. As he passed he checked up
his pace and quickly looked in. Halo
where are you going" called out CHEEKY
voice, and he stopped ediately.
Come in, want to see you" called out
The same voice. he looked about, ex-
peeting that dog would bite him, but
saw no Radical around. Hehesitatingly
walked to the door and leaned against
it. Several Of his friends came out and
lively conversation.
. Hang il" thought he, I'm not going
10 get hurt; If that fellow asks me again
I'll walk in" Soon the same friend
said, w, come in here; you know
more about your ward than any man l
know" BE passed the threshold and
was inside. He saw all his white friends
around him, and heard them discussing
.he convention and the primary election
If delegates. He expressed an opinion
which was an opinion, and he felt that
his sentiments were Endorsed. He