Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-07-07
NOW FOR WORK.

The election for county oihcers VIII De
held on Thursday, the 9th day OF August.
There is just time enough to marshal our
forces and bring out the full white vote
Of the county in behalf of the Bartlett
ticket Many of our people are in the
habit of going away at this season, but
We anueal to all who feel an interest in
securing good local government and
pride in the public welfare and good
name Of the commonwealth to stop over
nrt;l after the 9th of August. Many of
this class we know, are so well pleased
with the ticket that they have determ-
;ned to stay and help make its election
sure. And every man who has some
fayorite on the ticket should re-
member that the nomination was made
with the assistance or concurrence OF all
the different elements constituting the
convention and with a distinct under
standing that each one would support
all the rest at the ballot box. This con-
stitutes much Of the strength of the
ticket, although each nominee is worthy
and has his own positive strength ire
suective of these reciprocal obligations,
OF course there will be an opposition
ticket, looking for little support and
comfort from the disafected conserva-
tives whose friends failed to get on the
Bartlett ticket, but mainly to the Pole
Bearers and the rest of the colored pop
ulation. The man who runs as an inde-
pendent knows that he stands in the
attitude of asking for the negro vote and
that without it he has no ghost OF
chance. If elected, he will owe his
election to those who favor civil rights
and insist on negro children being thrust
into white schools, and who boast that
they will yet sit at hotel tables with
white ladies. This is the issue, and we
intend to nail it up where it will DO the
most. good until the 9th of August.
There is no lodging the issue, and the
Democrat or Conservative who thinks he
can run against the white ticket without
incurring the personal odium that
attaches always to turn-eoats, will be
grievously mistaken. For straight out
Republican, who has always been so,
through thick and thin, we can have
some respect. But for the deserter, who
goes over to tie evil rights party for the
spoils Of office, we have only scorn and
contempt. These remarks are not in
tended for any one in particular, as we
cannot believe that any Conservative in
the county who has any influence with
his own people will be found in the Rad
ical harness, because he cannot 60 there
without base betrayal Of his friends.
We have no war to make on the negroes;
they are the easy dupes of artful leaders.
We want them to enjoy all their rights,
and have always advocated the educa-
ton aud elevation of their race. This,
however, is a difficult matter to do as
long as they are controlled by dema-
gogues and ofice.seekers. They have
Disseminated against the white race by
their votes at almost every election since
the war, and the whites therefore in self
defense, had to take care Of themselves
This is the true situation, and we arr
slow to believe that any respectable
Conservative or Democrat is so base snC
hungry for Office as to 90 over into thu
negro camp for votes TO lift him int
power, Notwithstanding the rumors tha
busy news-mongers daily put into circu
lation. Yet, if such there be, let then
90; they can carry nobody with them.