Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-19

spect has this party subverted the
principles of our government, and
rushed it upon the yawning gulf of
destruction. They have corrupted
its fountains, nullifed its laws,
spat upon its constitution, degraded
its dignity, dishonored its name and
disgraced its national honor. The
President elected by this party has
converted his high and exalted posi-.
ton into a gift-taking enterprise,
and his cabinet officers and chief
representatives of the government
at home and abroad have been
driven in disgrace from the posi-
tions they dishonored. The Amer
lean citizen hangs his head in
shame when he recOunts this long
array-this grand army of disgraced
high governmental officials.
These things must have an end
must exist no longer, or our coun-
try will not be worth saving. The
party in power cannot change it if
they would and would not if they
could. We must have the honest
reform of the patriot and not the
promised reform Of the political
partisan, who in serving his party
loses sight OF his country. The
Radicals want reform in nothing.
1t is just what they don't want and
don't intend to have. Bristow
started out a reformer and he got
less than one-seventh of the Gin
%cinnati Convention that nominated
Hayes. Henderson was a reformer
and Grant dismissed him by tele-
graph. Jewell was a reformer and
Grant hurled him from power.
Pratt was a reformer and Grant
sent him to retiracy. But the peo-
pie have got the say on this sub
Iject, and in November they will be
heard in thunder tones to hurl
forth their condemnation of this
corrupt and un~principled party. 1t
is our last and only hope. We
must have a change in rulers or a
change in our form of government.
No republic ever has or ever will
continue to exist. feeding upon
corruption or proAigacy. When
we look for reform from this party,
conceived in hate and brought
forth in corruption, what do we
behold A spectacle that shocks
the moral sense of mankind and
puts to shame every American citi-
zen. When asked for flesh, they
offer the serpent, and when APP
piled to for bread they hand forth
a stone.
But the people want reform and
they mean to have it, and so sure
as the sun sets on the first Thurs.
day in November next, so certain
will the Conservative Democracy
be crowned with victory. The
earthquake-tread of the people i,
already heard all along the line
and they are moving in solid and
determined column onward to &
glorious triumph. 1t is the onl,
hope of having our free institution
preserved and our liberties perpetu.
ated, and with this view they vii
? flee from Radicalism as they woulC
a city doomed to destruction by fir,
from heaven.
But | find | am far from the lin,
intended when this letter was com
menced, and that ! have alread,
oyerrun the limits of an ordinar,
correspondence yet / feel l canno
close without a word c%oncernin,
our Democratic delegation in tn.
House, which in point of ability
influence and personal popularit.
are, to say the least, the peers O
3 any other State. A Tennesseeai
need no longer hang his head il
I humiliation when at our nationa
f capital and called to look upon on
Representatives. in Congress. Tn
present delegation are worthy tn
successorship of Bell, and Peytou
and Polk, and Oaruthers, and Stan
4 ton, and Cave johnson, And fore
: most among them stands our elo
{ quent and gifted member, Hor
Casey Young. No new membe
occupies a prouder and more envi
= able position, and none WELD
wider influence, Entering Con
!. gress almost a stranger, and com
paratlyely unknown, it being hi
/ first appearance in official position
il is really a matter of astonish
ment to witness his success
j. and his achievements. 1t is nc
y saying more than the facts Of hi