Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-03-18
A Hypereri,icaI Jester.

eral weeks cheerful contributor, who
signs himself ironically Warm Sup
porter" takes some exceptions to the
Bartlett meeting, and as it is evident
that he cannot contain himself much
longer we admit his elegant effusion to-
our columns. AS it is utterly pointless,
as well as captious, it is not likely TO
injure the Bartlett movement or benefit
its writer. But after this no one can
say that both sides have not been heard.
Here it is:
To the Editor Of the Ledger:
/ desire to say little something about
miscreants political miscreants.
The Appeal, in its Tuesdays issue of
last week, with all its old fire OF indigna-
ton against inconsistency in politics,
most appropriately applies the term
miscreants to those who won't swal-
low the Bartlett movement. 1t did my
heart good to read that article, and l
cant withhold my applause. 1 have
always thought that whatever that old
reliable family journal had to say and
advise in regard to politics was jist the
thing" and | am getting too old to go
back on it now.
1t has always toted fair with Democ-
racy. Well do l remember, some two
years or little more ago, when the Dem
ocratic party was thoroughly organized
and had full control OF everything in
Memphis and Shelby county, that a
squad Of political miscreants" " col
leagaed together for the purpose Of
forcing particular man into the office
Of Mayor in the face OF the action of
that party and its compactly formed le-
gions. What did the Appeal do? Don't
you recollect? Why, the gallant old
paper rose sublimely in that dark and
trying hour and pelted these hard.
checked miscreants " with sound and
wholesome Democratic blows. Captain
Church, Colonel Phelan, Pat Winters
and all the rest of the independent
John Johnson miscreants caught
Jessie through the blow-pipes of this ever
faithful Democratic organ. 1t made
em skip.
And when the same sort of discontent-
ed and restless "miscreants" attempted
a similar game in the municipal contest
just gone by, didn't the Appeal salt 'em
and pepper 'em and lambaste EN- by
beating their candidate, major Busby),
all to flinders? Why shouldn't the Ap-
peal, then, fog the recaleitrant lubbers
who dare not pull in our glorious Bart
lett harness? You bet that echo an
swers "Why2" all around and over this
Chickasaw Bluff.
What does anybody want to be mis-
creaHt for when he has such induce
ments to reform and swear off? What
like about the Bartlett party, and what
everybody ought to like about it is the
way it was fixed up. Done so quietly
and SO nicely. The call for the meeting
was all signed, and the platform and
party name done up in nice brown pa
per, in little dark room right here in
Memphis by the people" before any of
the cussed Office holders and old bilious
politicians and place-hunters found it
out. That's why all the people" like
it except the "miscreants.
Then like the platform, because there
is no biggod nonsense" about it. 1t
jangles out doctrines as pure as the
oldest Democratic chimes. 1t claims
that the Democratic party is the only
organized opposition to Radicalism in
Shelby county, and then tacks on some
more christian names to it, like Liberal,
Conservative, etc., to make it more
binding on Radicals who can't get office
in their own party. That's one partic-
ular reason why no Democrat should
become "miscreant" towards it.
1t wants honest men in office, even if
we have to 90 into another county to
find them. The great point is, they
must be Liberal no matter to what or
ganization they have belonged before
Liberal, if it is only with the peoples
money; then we must have economy in
local government--if the Office holders
can afford it; then no member, especial
ly if he has been an old Dimmycrat,"
must speak of the African Radicals as
niggers" for fear of war of races,
and to keep the "niggers from voting
with the Irish to get a nigger" in
office. And inasmueh as the farmer 5
movement has become considerable, we
Bartlettites
"WOuld like to be granger,
And with the grangers' stand,
and lock at 'em vote our way, and help
US to be liberal towards ourselves.
Miscreants, come and join us; we
are your friends
WARN SUPPORTER.