Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-02-20


ONE BY ONE THE ROSES FALL.
The Republican Mayor of Memphis
VIII Cooperate with the Democrats.
An.Appeal reporter has interviewed
his Honor the Mayor of Memphis as
to his politics, with this result:
Q-You have hitherto, Mr.. League,
aetedswith. the Republican party, and
you have been looked upon here as
one of the leading Republicans; and,
as an lrishman, you have been regard
ed as tower of strength to the Re-
publican party. What do yon think
OF the conduct of President Grant in
the issuance Of his recent message to
the Congress of United States in re-
gard to the State of Arkansas?
Al am not really prepared to an
swer that, from the fact that | was so
utterly indifferent as to what his mes
sage contained at the time that Ibid
not read it. But from the various
criticisms have seen.in the press con-
corning it (and | say this with regret,)
l am sorry he has acted in such way
as not to receive the Endorsement of
anybody who, think, is for the gen.
eral good of the country. -
Dwell, the general effect then. of
President Grants policy, would be to
drive such Republicans as YOU are
away from the Republican party.
A.-Hell, no sir that alone would
not have the effect. because | have
always had confidence in the intelli-
gence of the people when they are per-
mltted to act. am more attracted by
the good than driven away by the bad.
But the wisdom, the justice. and the
good sense that has recently marked
all the acts of the party opposed to
the Republicans party, has won my ad-
miration and approval; in other words,
Legislature of Tennessee exhibited SO
much patriotism and good sense in
electing to the Senate of the United
States one of the greatest and wisest
men of the nation, that 1 think it is
the party which is really for the public
good, and that party shall in the future
have my hearty and earnest support.
Q.-Then am | to understand BY
that, Mr.. League, that you are no
longer in sfiliation with the Republi-
can party?
A.-Well, l will never oppose any
good measure simply because it ema-
mates from the Republican party; nor
will oppose good measures when pre-
sented by the Democratic party. In
other words, [ am satisfied that The
Republican party of late, and its rings
and cliques in Congress and through
out the country, have acted in such a
way as to bring disgrace upon the en-
tire people, and | think it is necessary
for the public good that the places
they now fill be cleaned out.
Q.-Then you think that the Dem
ocratic party is the party in order to
clean them out?
A.-Yes, sir.
FL understand you to say You
have no more utilization with The Re-
publican party. and hereafter you are
going to affiliate with the Democratic
party?
A.-Now, I pray you do not misun-
derstand me. | never have been and
never will be partisan in politics
Whilst living in the Eastern States,
among people who relied upon man
ufacturing. was Wing. After re-
moving to the South, and finding that
instead of being a manufacturing peo-
pie, the masses were an agricultural
people and Democratic in sentiment, l
felt that my position was among the
Democratic party, and | was a Demo-
crat until the beginning of the war.
Since that time | have acted with that
party. which | thought was best for
the country; that party which /
thought and believed to be for peace
and quiet, the restoration of the gov
eminent and the perpetuation of the
Union. Now, after opposing as far as
could the election of several of the
LEGISLATORS, who went from this county.
when | see that they have set aside
th5isSc partisan ideas and have gone to
work for the good of the country, lam
glad that they were, elected; and / am
obliged to you now for asking me the
question, if only for the opportunity it
affords me of returning my hearty
thanks to them for the noble stand
they took in the Legislature. l do not
remember body of men who stood
up more nobly to the work entrusted
to them than the delegates from Shell
by County. Twill be only too glad to
CO cooperate with them in any measure
or movement which I think is for the
public good. will not remain with
the Democratic party or any other
party only so long as / feel satisfied in
my mind that they are for the good of
the masses. -~..-- 49,.
Q.-Still you intend hereafter to CO.
operate with the Democratic party2
Ayes so long as the party gives
evidence that it is acting for the great
est good for the largest number; and
| believe that the Democratic party of
the country to-day is in favor of good
government and low taxes, without
which the people cannot prosper.