Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-02-16
TENNESSEE POLITICS.
Correspondence Cincinnati Com nsrcisI.l


Since Andrew Johnson has passed
from earth. aud no longer disturbs the
placid surface of Tennessee politics by
descending into the arena at the inaugu-
ration oi each campaign, there has been
unusual quiet in political circles. For
thirty years be was the central 6gure in
Tennessee, and at each returning cleo
ton there was the annual Andrew john
con row. Bat he has run his last race,
and his place upon the stump, in publie
debate, aud "a an agitator will not be
filed this generation, BE has passed
from earth and earthly strife and con-
tent,on. All that is mortal Of him rests
under the shadow OF the. mountains.
After life's itful fever he sleeps well. :"
( The campaign in this State this year
will be Of unusual interest, owing to the
Presidential election. and tks fact that
Legislature is to be choses which is to
elect two United States Senators in
January The strife and pipe.lsyins to
secure these places for favOrites have al.
ready commenced. and will be felt IN the
selection OF the Legislature. Il
REPUBLICAN GAINS PROBABLE
Z The Republicans will undoubtedly
make large gains in this State, this year.
There is a larger Reppbliosn element
here than is generally supposed. provided
i Is not frightened into blind staegers BY
ths terrible specter OF negro equality 2
The civil rights bill was a blow to the
party in this State, from which il will not
recover within five ytars. Up TO the
passage OF that unfortunate measure, the
Republicans were making steady pro,
gress in this State. The old Wing ele-
ment, which Of itself ia nearly large
enough to control the State, was gradu.
ally swinging around to the Republican
party. Take out the eternal colored
person, and there is more affinity between
the Republicans end the Wings than be-
tween the Democrats and Whigs. The
Republicans were making such good pro.
gress 10 this State that in 1877 they
came within $4,000 Of electing their can.
didsts for Governor. But for the civil
rights 6re-brand they would very nearly
have had the State by this time. But
such was the effect OF that disastrous
measure upon the white people, that the
State which the Democrats carried by
but II, 900 in 1872, they carried by 4s, 900
two years later. The Republicans lost
heaviest in the counties where they had
previously the largest white vote.
But the fright and panic have nearly
spent themselves. The colored people
have abstaiued from attempting to on.
force their rights under that Law, and the
passions OF the population have msteri-
ally cooled. Matters have settled down
much as before, aud all owing to the
good sense Of tho colored people in not
attempting to take advantage OF single
right guaranteed to them in that Law.
II With the subsidence Of this issue the
Republicans will bsgin to gain again,
and they will not be defeated by over 35,
600 at the coming election, And if the
Democratic majority should be cut to 30
900 | should not be surprised. Also, the
Republicans will likely gain two Con
grsssmen and from six TO ten members
of the Legislature. After some years oil
effort theyTWiit get back to The poini
where they we're thenibe civil rights az
itatioh Knocked then 0tliehd --E = +lri
fHE SENATORIAL QUESTION.
There are rumors Ia the air of com
bination, which, If carried into effect
will have nationgtinanehce in shaping
State politics. It ia rumored that a com
bination has been formed, the effect o.
which will be, IL successtal, 70 give one
Senstership 10 q well known West Ten
bessee lawyer and politician, the Other
to a distpgpiahea, Middle TENNESSEE
editor, aud the 9SveFnorship to an Eas
Tennessee Wing and Unisp ,man,V rThil
would lbave u tendency to unite kli ele
mepts ip one harmoniousrwholeo lea
out onlf a, tew, scGll&vsgs And sniegsrs
and ak or seven postmasteTs. If there
isIsHch q combination formed, and i
proves a success, it will, be q. great sue
eess, And il itis failure twill be q
melancholy failure. In the nature O
things there can BE- no half way success
about it. iiii-A '-'A' IN
The Wings and Union men who are a
present camped in the Democratic party
lalthough they don't like the tents, auC
the regulations Of the camp are distsste
fuD feel that they shoqld heye9redogui
ton in the approaching barceling 0
spoils.. If they cans getftheg Governor
they might be inclined to yield, the two
Senators. But something they will have
Or there will be row in the colt pasture
/ Therofore We are inclined to believe ths
there may be something IN this rnmoret
combination between the frieada Of tht
West T6nnessee lawyer, the Middle Ten
nessee editor and the East Ten1esse,
ex. Wbig aforesaid.
4 However that may be, the West anc
Middle Tennessee politicians, ere deter
mined todivide the Ssnstorshfp between
them, leaving East Tennessee to subsis
upon bright memories OF Senstofia
past and all that sort of thing. Aud Il
toll the truth, East Tennessee has had {
| lion share Of the SenAtorshipl OF thC
| Eve Ssnators sibca ths war, Rast' T On
uessee has had three. Middle Tennessee
two and West Tennessee none at all,
| But the development OF strength By
Senator Key may diSErranEe the plan
Of the pipe-layers Of the otherend oflth,
| State. Key was appointed to iill John
sons seat until the meeting of the Leg
islature, in January. " Thsreowillitheu D,
still four years remaining OF johnson
unsXpired term, and Key wiz enter thl
contest having the prestige OF appoint
ment and the support of moat OF John
SON old friends Senator Key is not I
Nite.puller or grSSpst tCr Office. HI
never seeks Office. II the Legislature
elects him, he will serve, bat he will no
stir himself to bring about the result
he cares- little for Office At best, anC
dou know how to pull wires and spsinl
tsaps, eYen had be the einoliuatioR. Ihi
Of itself will giyp bin strength, Itisy
good thing 70 occasionally expeFiencl
The novelty of slscting 1, msu 70 ofic,
Who has too much dignity 10 seekit. ~
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