Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-04
CALLING A HALT.

day, opens a long article arraigning
the Supreme Court Of South Carolina,
Hamptoa, Gordon and everybody but the
real wrong-doers, with this painful ad-
mission:
1t seems plain that the United States
officer in command at Columbia has
Numbered. There a be no doubt OF
his excellent intentions, and his honor
able, soldierly instincts. But it was a
wretched blunder to set his troops to ex-
aiming the certificates of members OF
the Legislature. It's a worse n to send
his staff officer upon the floor Of the
House, to give notice that the next day
he will not permit what be has permitted
to-day, in the matter Of the claimants
from EdghGeld. Obviously be Is sying,
in this clumsy way, to sustain the officer
legally charged with the organization OF
the present Assembly, namely, the Clerk
of the last ore But this sort OF support
is worse than none at all, and it is not to
be wondered that able men like Wade
Hampton and United States Senator
Gordon make the most of it.
Some Cabinet members have conclu-
ded there was a bIunder somewhere, aud
the President has been induced to send
word to Roger to hold en- a little. There
is a growing impression all ever the
country that uujaSti6able measures have
been ~resorted to to sustain ~carpet.bag
governments, and SECURE states for
HAYES that voted for Tilden. The bank
era and merchants Of the North, the
farmers of the broad prairies Of the
West, and hundreds Of thousands Of the
working CLASSES al over the country feel
aud express that there is something
wrong. II was never before thought ex'
pedient or lawful to send an army into
peaceable States to see the vote counted
out BY partisans. The election has been
over nearly a month, and yet the result
is held back TO the last. Business OF oil
kinds is nearly suspended in the North,
and the people are beginning to take q
sober, clear view Of the situation
There are those who say Grant ought
10 bs impeached, and he has heard
of it; his Cabinet has heard Of it; and
the ablest men Of the party would
dread to see the issue forced. Many o.
the Senators are lawyers Of the highest
legal attsiuments, who would not
sacrifice their national reputation fol
partisan applause Of the hour. II anti
Giles Of impeachment were preferred BY
the House a powerful case could be mad,
out, and even before a Republican Sen
ate the result would be doubtful. In al
Grants great moves and successes b
has been backed BY unlimited force. /
was SO in the army, it has been so il
politics. When be was a mere stat
officer to Andrew Johnson be trucklet
to him and vent about the country Will
him. He ever went South TO please ole
Andy, and wrote up q very favorable re
port Of affairs in this section The work
has an idea that he Is a bold. courageouI
man. He has never done anything ye
which required the fret element Of cour
age. he ordered immense armies to re
duce small ones; aud on each occasion
s'ected to the Presidency while silent as
Sphyax, was sustained by an ~oyerWbelm
ing sentiment at the North. The SouiI
had been whipped and its feeling was
matter Of no consequence. That b
hoped and plotted for a third term n
one who knows the man can doubt. Iii
disappointment was so great that h9 wa
not on pleasant terms With the party Iced
ers for some time after the nominatio.
of Hayes. Finally he doggedly yislde
to fate and was prepared to vaeate j
favor Of Hayes, The close vote at tn
Presidential election gave him a ne'
hope and new ideas. Calarism revive
in his breast and he once more dreame
of commanding armies, and perhaps
ruling over a semirepublican empirI
His coartiers whispered loud enough f
him 10 hear; The country has a stcou
Washington; the country will do we'll
keep him" He listened aud was read
to enter into the plan Of the conspir
tors, for he never yet originated an i'd
or a great plan. The troops sent
South Carolina failed TO provoke or g.
any disturbance; the Southern peop
we're heroicslly cool and impassiy
Nothing could move them from the d
nifty Of law-abiding citizens. Not a sins
United States marshal could fad a p
text Tor calling on the military. Ne
we see the army turned over to do du
for o carpet-bag governor and I
officers detailed to inspect the certiGcai
of Democratic members s~eeling adm
sion to the State capitol. 1t v, furtt
proposed 10 Gust eight Democratic me
bers. go as to force a Radical maiori.
The mandates Of the Supreme Cot
utterly disregarded. The outra
against Law and decency, and the far
became so apparent, that the North
gan to protest, and the best men of
Republican party hung their heads
shame. With a divided Cabinet, divid
public sentiment, and impending
parchment, The usurper became alarm
and sent word to Ruger not to be so "a
There is 3 reaction oil along tie Ii
and consultation among the ring lead.
Of the conspiracy is the result. WI
will coma of IL wa need mt nredics