Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-16
sHRLRY couHrY POLITICS.

Judge of the County Court and
Attorney General of the Bartlett
Court. Delegates have already
been nominated in most of the
wards and will be elected to-mor-
row, Saturday, between the hours
of 8 and 7 pm, in the wards, and
from II to 6 pm. in the districts.
The people seem to be taking more
interest than usual in general and
local politics, owing no doubt to
the magnitude of the contests that
take place this year. 1t is likely,
therefore, hat a full vote will be
cast in most of the wards, and that
an excellent delegation will be
chosen. There has been I'M
doubtedly some dissatisfaction
in the ranks of the Democratic
and Conservative party. Differ
ences Of opinion have arisen and
caused lively discussion. This, we
take it, is mostly in regard to
methods of conducting the cam
paign and mere matters of detail,
upon which all can eventually unite
and become reconciled. -Four years
ago we had such serious divisions
that the whole Radical ticket from
Grant down carried Shelby county.
Our party was demoralized by the
nomination of Horace Greeley, and
the Independent candidacy of An
drew johnson for Congressman at
large. We neglected to perfect the
minor details Of organization, with.
out which no party can succeed,
and were badly defeated. A few
restless and over-sanguine spirits
hope to see something of this sort
occur again, that they may possibly
be carried into Office on the coat
tails of the Great Unknown. They
are, we say, oyer-sanguine. Nothing
of the sort is likely to take place. W.
learned a lesson in 1872, and have
not forgotten it. That is to say
the great body Of Democratic ant
Conservative voters and workers
will profit by that experience. w
have a few unwise and radica
Democrats who must have i
straight or not at all. They cor
respond in temper to the extreme
wing of the Republican party anC
often cost us many votes. Theil
business is to manufacture capita
for the Independents and other
easily estranged. A party ought t.
succeed on its merits rather thar
the dement's of the other side
There is a large class of peopl
who are Indifferent or reserv
their opinion until the last
The way to win their con
fdence and support is to de
serve it. There is a foreign elemen
here which formerly had Republ
can procliyities but Of late hs
been voting with us from choiC
and principle. There is a larg
Wing element which does not lii
the name Democrat, yet near
always votes the ticket, because
is impossible for them to vote Wi
the Republican party. There a
likewise Liberal Republicans, Il
tiYe-born, who occasionally vo
with us, especially in local election
Sound policy, fairness and commC
sense would suggest that the
classes be recognized and conc
lated rather than driven off. TIT
are not Democrats through thiC
and through thin, and like fir
men they assert their Independent
upon proper occasions, especial
when abused and called bad name
We are not afraid Of any considt
able number of them going
this year either to the Republic
party or after an independe
ticket. They are men of ser
and intelligence, the most of who
will probably vote with us as usu
But there is no use in inviti
them to leave, lest they might
cept the invitation. We have &C
iideDce in the discretion and go
Judgment of the Executive Boar
and believe that through their
strumentality The present canva
as well as the one ia The fall, "
be conducted to a successful issl