Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-13
THE SOUTH IN CONGRESS.

The Knoxville Chronicle, edited by
ex-senator Brownlow, and the legitimate
successor of his old Wing, often rises to
the dignity Of fairness, but the Sight Of a
Democratic majority in the House of
Representatives is too much for the old
man, and his temper gets the best Of
him. Take, for instance, the following
assertion in the Chronicle of the 10th:
The Democrats, having control Of the
House of Representatives. and the pat
ronsge of that branch of Congress, have
grown ~insolent and exacting in a single
day. We look for them to introduce q
bill giving pensions to rebel soldiers,
paying the oWners Of slaves for their me-
groes, and divers other claims growing
out Of the war.
This is not supported by any proof or
q single incident, as far as we have OBJ
served the proceedings in Congress. The
Democrats voted cheerfully for Mr.. Ad-
ans for Clerk Of the House, and Adams
was a gallant Union soldier from first to
last. They voted for Kerr for Speaker,
who was a war Democrat, and for Thomp-
son, Of Pennsylvania, for S~ergeant-at-
Arms, who was always q Union
Making allowances for human nature we
think there is a marked absence Of q
consciousness Of triumph, and certainly
no word or act has been reported which
anybody could coolly and deliberately
term "insolence." The bill giving pen
sions to rebel soldiers and paying the
owners Of slaves for their losses will not
be introduced in any Congress; the ex-
Governor will never live to see it, nor
his children's children after him.
Such a bill would be opposed by the
Southern members as earnestly as by
any other section. Such a move, il any
one were insane enough to make it,
would receive the deepest mark of con-
domination from Southern hands. Why
then such a reckless assertion, unless to
feed the embers Of dying prejudice2
Not q leader or paper in the South, as
far as We know, ever thought Of making
such a silly demand. 1t would be as
reasonable for the holders of old Cont
mental money to demand its redemption
at the Treasury. Southern leaders and
Southern people years ago accepted the
situation, and have been performing
their duty as citizens, loyal alike to
State and general governments. The
Southern delegation ia Congress has
made no demands or threats. The most
perfect decorum and conservatism pre-
vailed. As a matter of course, the Demo
Gratis do not offer to give the Offices within
their control to Republicans; no party
has ever offered its opponents q divide or
ever will. The Republicans themselves
have not set such an example and could
not expect the despised and abused
Democrats to make a precedent, or TO
follow il if made. Our members in Con-
gress have conducted themselves with
the dignity aud earnestness which their
great responsibility would naturally sug-
gest. Thus far we have not heard of
any blunders, although among so many
young and inexperienced members, fresh
from a rural constituency, we will not
be surprised if mistakes are made
Still the delegation is on trial as a body
aud not for the isolated acts of the few.
The voices Of such leaders as Lamar
and Gordon and Key will be potent for
good, and we have little to fear under
their management. The war is over
and the time has almost passed when DO
litical capital can be manufactured BY
appeals to the passions it aroused. Mob
Law has long since been most effectually
suppressed in nearly all sections, and
good order, peace and harmony prevail
without the aid Of bayOnets or drum-head
conrts-msrtial. II the Democrats can
not introduce and force great reforms
while only controlling ore House,
they a at least prevent a great
deal Of corruption Of the kind that has
disgraced the country and desecrated the
capital ever since the Republicans came
into control Of the government. The
House will serve as a check upon the
Senate and the Executive. Bills involv.
ing the expenditure Of money, original
ing in either House, will be drawn very
carefully, with a view to passing the
other. This is bat the beginning Of a
better and pufer era. The Republican
party is. repenting on its desth.bed and
offering 10 aid in the work Of reform
But it is too late TO deceive the people
That party has refused to correct tn,
evils Of the times, and the scspter haI
departed. Even Morton has ceased Il
wave the bloody shirt and strives to sus
tain q sinking party on issues which, lik,
bladders under a heavy swimmer, vii
soon burst and leave him in q worse con
ditiOn than before. Much depends upol
the action of our members in Congress
bat We are confident Of their ability. dis
erection and patriotism to meet the mo
mentous demands of the hour.
--a-a~-b
THERE is likely to be . dearth Of Re