Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-04-12
POLITICAL PROSPECTS.


The comments of the truly loyal press
upon the Connecticut election come in
SO slowly that it has been @ difficult mat
ter to gather their tone, if indeed such
journals have any tone left. The fact
forces itself upon them, as well as the
whole country, that the tidal wave Of last
October and November has not gone
back, but is rising higher and
higher. Explanations will not make
it 20 back, and a Republican
success in the Radical State OF Michi-
gan does not Offset overwhelming defeat
in Connecticut. For ten long years the
Northern masses have been fed as it
were on Southern outrages and incipient
rebellions. But the time for that has
passed. and intelligent people can be
deceived no more. Even the little trick
of parading Jefferson Davis as 8
probable Democratic candidate for
the Presidency just before the Con-
necticut election had no pereeptible
effect. Third termism has received a
stunning rebuke in this house of its
friends. The Nutmeg State, where 10y
atty has ever been at a premium, now
sends three instead Of n Democratic
Congressman to the national House OF
Representatives. General Hswley, one
of the ablest and best Republicans the
State ever sent to Congress, has been re-
tired by the people. This was accom-
plished ia the lace Of all the patronage,
money and influence the Grant
administration could throw into
Connecticut, and naturally fills the
great unconstitutional party with fear
and trembling. None Of the leaders
have the nerve to stand up boldly anC
say with Phil Sheridan, 81 am Hoi
afraid They are afraid and canno
conceal it. The Democrats and thei.
allies, the Conservatives, are everywhere
full Of hope aud confidence, yet not owe
sanguine. The mistakes Of 1868 snC
1879 will not be repeated. Experiences
brings wisdom ard defeat caution Vigi
lance is to be the watchword and tn
order will be: Steady along the line
The people who pay taxes and work wit
their hands aud brains have taken th
matter in hand, and self constitute
leaders will have less control than eve
before. The next general election wi
be held in November, 1876, about a yea
and a half from now. 1t seems moi
than likely that a straight Democrat
ticket will be elected The Radicals ar
disconnected, and really the party is bel
together by nothing but the lust Of powe
and craving for official spoils. The Ere
Of hate and prejudice have well mig
died out aud cannot be rekindled unleI
the fuel is supplied by some very FOOLS
or reckless persons claiming to spea
for the people Of the South. The civ
rights bill tell harmless like a she'll wit
a false fuss which drops 20 the groun
without exploding An effort will yet
made to stir it up, but let our people star
alOOf and no harm will be done. II
trouble has been ever since the war th
incompetent men in the South ha'
forced themselves forward as leaders al
demanded recognition as such regar
less Of the success and welfare of Il
people or the party. The people ha'
felt this keenly, and are likely to
jealous of their rights and watchi
of their interests hereafter. T
Republican leaders have betray,
the people uUou every occasion when
suited partisan purposes. This was tn
great underlying cause Of the revolt
ton wrought last year Let our peopl
and especially our leaders, avoid ii
bluuders Of their own, and shun Ii
crimes o. the other party, and 1877 wi
see q Democrat in the Presidential cha
aud a pure, honest administration