Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-02-13
The subscription price OF the
PUBLIC LEDGER Is - per aunum
for Daily, and 81 per annnm Q
weakly. POSTAGE FREE.
LET THE PEOPLE RULE.

Many OF tue changes huu Iclornis
proposed and advocated by the so-called
People's Protective Union meet our
decided approval. They appear wise,
proper and necessary. But there are
others 10 which we are not prepared to
weld our assent. We believe in the
principle Of popular self-government
Our faith is strong in the intelligence,
virtue and capacity OF the people. We
think they comprehend what is for their
own interest, aud are entirely compe-
tent 10 manage their own affairs.
Granted that 10 moments Of excitement
aud under the influence Of bad counsels,
they do sometimes err with the return
of the sober second thought, and the
discovery Of their mistake, they
are prompt 10 retrace their steps
and rectify their own errors. The
committee Of the Peoples Protee'
tive Uaion, in a report made to the meet
ing held at the Chamber OF Commerce
rooms last month, drew a rose col
ored picture Of the great blessings to
low from the enactment by the Legisla-
ture into a law Of a bill which the Unien
proposes 70 recommend and have passed,
providing for such amendments Of the
city charter as will do away With the
present complicated, expensive and IN
wieldy system of municipal government,
by placing the entire management OF
the city's affairs into the hands OF three
commissioners, 10 be appointed by the
Governor Of the State. That misman-
agemeot and extravaganza, if not cor
ruptiou, in our municipal government,
have reduced MS TO a condition that calls
loudly for reform no n will question.
We want a better local goyernment-an
honest government a chesp govern
ment. We need and must have q
change. But We are not prepared to say
We require a change go radical snd
sweeping as that proposed by the
Peoples Protective Union. And
certainly we do not desire TO see
the government taken out Of the hands
of the people. They are as competent
to select suitable men TO manage the
city $ affairs as either the Governor or
the Peoples Protective Union. The
people are honest, and may be trusted
I o do right. We protest, then, against
the Protective Unions covert assault
upoa the principle that lies al the very
foundation Of republican government
the sovereign right Of the people to a
voice 10 the selection q their own Off
Gers and the management Of their "
local affairs. To attempt 10 deprive
them Of this right is a violation Of the
Fundamental principles Of democracy,
and We shall oppose and denonnce every
such attempt, Rs We opposed and de.
aounced the recent Federal nsurpation
IN Louisiana. An experience Of ninety
nine years has given the people such
confidence in their own capacity TO rule
that they will be 10th now to surrender a
~prerogative they have enjoyed so long
without interruption. II the city Of
Memphis is ever governed by commits.
sioDers the commissioners will not be
appointed by the Governor Of Tennes.
zee by aud with the advice and consent
Of the so called Peoples Protective
Onion. They will be elected by the
people, and will be held accountable foI
their acts TO the people by whom elected.
This is democracy.
In justice to Colonel Tyler, who has
hitherto written all the articles in the
LEDGER on the subject Of reforms, it Is
proper to say that the above is not from
his pen.