Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-08

ohA NhN NlAaNAn N0AulAttCC NAluuIGM "
an adjoining room to take counsel among
themselves. Colonel DuBose waited on
them half an hour later and announced
as an ullimatum that the propositions
made by the citizens committee we're
rejected. Captain Williamson and the
rest of the committee then re-entered the
room of the executive committee and
presented the letter already referred to,
which was published in yesterdays
LEDGER. Colonel Loeney stated: 1--WE
p%eremptorily reject the propositions
made by your committee" and added
that a formal reply would appear in the
morning papers. The citizens commit
tee withdrew and reported back to a
meeting of some thirty persons assem-
bled at the Office OF CAN'T, Patterson &
Lowe that no compromise could be
Effected. The meeting then adjourned
until three o'clock to-day. Considerable
feeling was manifested on both sides, and
at present it is not unlikely that the
citizens committee will continus to act
aud probably call . convention on its
own account. This would make things
lively. There is plenty of material on
both sides to make a spirited canvass.
The following is the reply of the Dem.
ocratic COMMITTEES to the letter Of the
citizens committee:
Messrs. Butler p, Anderson, w. N. Brown.
Jesse A. Forrest. X. G. Williamson, d, T.
Porter aud @. G.. Fisher:
GENTLENEN-We are in recent of a
communication from you, as follows:
There appears the letter published
yesterday
The presentation Of this paper, and
the very marked personal slight put
upon the committee by its terms, would
justify its return without the slightest
notice. You are froward to ignore aud
treat with the utmost disrespect the Cit.
zens who convened December LIST, in
accordance with the request of the pre-.
vious executive committee, to whom the
Democratic and Conservative party Of
the city had heretofore intrusted its for,
tunes-a committee that commanded
the confidence OF the whole people, aud
especially of the party. Even if we did
not hold our appointment from this mass
meeting, we would, as individuals, be
dlslnclined to %counteuance the discount.
esy your appeal to US manifestly i'm.
plies for an assemblage Of people quite
az much interested 10 city affairs as you
can represent, and who are entitled to
as much consideration as any body of
citizens you can possibly speak for.
But having consented to act for the partv
on the authorization of this meeting. we
lind ne excuse that warrants us in sub.
hitting to the dictatOrial spirit of YOU
paper, or IN falling to protest against the
reprehensien 1t casts on the mass meet
ing of the LIST instant. We will. how.
ever, waive these obnoxious features of
the proceedings from which your note
emanates, 50 far as to assign reasons for
our refusal to comply with your propo-
sition.
Flrst-The mass-meeting from which
We draw our authority to act for the
Democratic and Conservative party waa
assembled in obedience to a legitimate
call of q former committee and in ac.
cordance with the recoSniz d usages OF
party organization.
Second-Citizens who failed to attend
that meeting have no right to ask a reyi.
sion Of its proceedings. II dissatisfied
there is but one remedy for them, and
that is to act outside of the party. To
recognize the right OF a few members OF
the party, after refusing or neglecting to
attend its regularly called meetings, to
demand other and successive mass.cou.
yentions, would introduce constant dis.
order. There would be no terminating
point IN party organization. The very
meeting you propose to call might have
ITS action set aside on precisely the same
ground now urged by you for vacating
the results OF the meeting from which we
hold our appointment. This must strike
the most ordinary apprehension,
Ihird-We deny that "hasty action"
characterized that meeting, or that the
meeting was a small one. On the con.
trary, the conduct of the business of this
body OF citizens was deliberate; the
numbers in attendance were in excess OF
what usually marks the initiative BY the
people in this city Of party organization.
l0e meeting was called for seven o'clock
ID the evening, but was not calledt to order
until twenty minutes to eight. There
was not the slightest pushing of matters,
not the slightest attempt to anticipate
time, or 10 be before hand We there.
fore deny the assertions on which YOU
impugn the representative character or
integrity OF the meeting OF December lst.
Hence we decline your proposition.
We will proceed in the discharge Of the
duties OF an executive committee repre-
sentlng the Democratic and Conservative
party of the city-not cliques or candi.
dates, but the party. Whatever may be
our personal preferences ss between az.
pirants, it ia our purpose, and will be our
effort, to secure a fair representation of
popular opinion to the nominating con.
v%ention, which it may be our duty to call
and organize. 1t is not only our desire,
but our duty, to confer with leading Dem.
ocrats Of the city, and especially with
the various friends Of the aspiranls, so as
to direct ouF labOrs With q view Of har-
m1nizing all factions and interests.
When we fail to do tits, it will be time
enough for you 10 offer the i~mputalious
contained in your offensive request.
r. +. LooSEY, chairman.
j J DUBoGE, secretary.