Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-10-08
THE MISSISSIPPI DEMOCRACY.

prtritcge OF CN0isytiy PVetVNtCc-
rHE MISSISSIPPI DEMOCRACY.
II any people have cause to be united
and Eigilsnt it can surely be said Of the
Democratic Conservative party Of Mis-
sissippi 1t is not composed Of a pArtic-
ulsr class, but embraces the best ele-
msnis of all without reference to former
political ties or affiliations. Colored
renters and lsborers belong to it as well
as white tax payers. The past has seen
left behind, aud the best men Of the
State have united under the name Of
this party to restore peace aud prosper
~, to enforce the laws for the benefit Of
sill alike, and to rebuild the fortunes and
tbe prestige Of this once proud and hap
py State upon a secure sDd lasting foun-
dalton. Thus fer the party has more
than redeemed its pledges; only the best
men have been nominated for Office, 0
sense Of security and lasting peace pre-
walls the whole State, and every man is
encouraged to pursue competency and
wealth in the peaceful paths of industry.
1t is scarcely two years since the State
was under the domination Of q villainous
csrpet-bsg government, and the people
Of substance thought Of moving away to
saw a fraction Of what had escaped the
despoilers. But q better day came. The
reckless sdventurers, sustained by Fede
raj bayonets, who led hordes of ignor.
ance and brute force, we're overthrow in
an hour, and the people asserted them
selves to be freemen still. White and
black seemed thankful for the deliver.
ance. The aliens OF the Ames stripe be-.
took themselves to more congenial
climes, where penitentiaries do not yawn
nor indictments stare them in the face.
The negro leaders Joined the Democ.
rscy, and some of them have been
nominated for Office, and the masses
seem satisfied. Yet there are a few rest
less spirits who are not satisfied, or will.
ing to give Governor Stones administrs.
ton q fair trial. Like some Of the chill
dren Of Israel, after Moses led them
forth from Egypt into the wilderness,
they begin to murmur aud to stir up dis.
sensions. They have no charges to pre-
fer against the present State government;
the officials are honest; the business is
properly conducted; but a few who are
not leaders, or likely to be, aspire to form
a new party. The material for such an
organization at present can only be
found among the ruins of the
old Republican party. The rural darky
still survives, and can vote. he is also
gulllble, and in some cases il suspicious
Of the Democratic-C Conservative party
This element is to be invoked aud drilled
TO elect, If possible, a few mslcontents TO
Office. That ID all there is 10 this move.
ment. It is not urged in the State or out
OF 1t upon grounds Of public service re.
form or any necessity felt outside Of the
circle Of needy Office seekers, malcon.
tents and chronic d%isorganizers who are
ever ready to csvil, to find fault and to
tear down, bat never TO bald Up any.
thing. Not having the courage or the
temerity TO call the new mythical party
by its proper nsme-Republican-they
propose to christen it under the seduc.
tive and meaningless title OF the hide.
pendent party, which means anything OF
nothing-particularly the latter. indie.
pendence is a good thing in politics
1t is essential to the political
well-being Of the country. 1t is strong
Characteristic Of the Anglo.saxop race
and has entered largely into all partie,
which have existed since the foundation
of the government. Wade Hampton /,
independent and fearless, but be is
Democrat aud a liberal one. Senate
Blaine is independent in his party, SO /
Ben Hill, Lamar and all the leaders q
the day, but they are too sensible an.
shrewd to go of and attempt to form
new pRrty under the name Of Indeper
dent. The independent movement is
sort of drag net spread to catch the dil
contented aud the unwary, who imagin
that they assert their %prerogatiye bel
by boiling and setting up for themselve
The Republicans always %eucourag
such movements in communitiC
or States where the Demooral
re ia the ascendeuey, but nev,
where the reverse is the case. The ali,
is supposed 70 catch some who otherwi,
would be repealed. The movemel
mounts to very little 10 Mississippi.
might as well be called neutral. tt
course of the Democracy has been SO u
eKceptionable that the opposition has l
cause, nc bold leaders, no particular f