Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-02-27
REcRImlNATIoAs AMONG DEMOCRATS

DENOMINATIONS AMONG DEMOCRATS
Yesterday was a warm day in the
house of representatives at Wash
ington, and it was mostly Demo-
cratic caloric at that. Mr.. Hewitt,
who conducted the late Tilden
campaign as chairman of the
Democratic committee, and who is
rather more of a leader than any of
the various %aspirants for that honor,
continued a speech which he began
Saturday. He was particularly
severe on Mr.. Hoar and charged
him with acting in bad faith as a
member Of the electoral commits
sion, but concluded by appealing to
the house to abide by the decision
Of the commission, saying:
"Let us give the people OF the country
and OF the world an example that, bav-
ing been cheated, we can still trust in
the providence and justice o God, and
in the disposition and determination Of
the people to do justice in the end. We
have still a free ballotbox and 2 free
press, and we still are a free people, aud
no justification for revolution, and no
justification for civil war can ever arise
among a free people until they are de-
prived Of the remedy Of the ballot'box.
10 that remedy | propose to report, and
if that remedy be found in vain, although
] am the humblest of DEMOCRATS and
most feeble of citizens, | will be ready to
take my arms. and lead if necessary, or
rather serve, in q crusade against injus
tice, oppression and tyranny"
He was Soon surrounded by ali
excited crowd of members as he
spoke, and was several times inter
rupted. He said to the last that lie
would yield to the consummation,
seeing no other course left but an
archy. Mr.. Cate, of Wisconsin,
said il would be cowardice not to
oppose the result by every means
in their power. This coming from
a Northern Democrat produced
great excitement and confusion.
Mr.. Yeates, a North Carolina DEM
ocrat, forced his way through the
circle and declared that those who
denounce us now as towards when
the pinch came fifteen years ago,
turned against u.s." Other speeches
and remarks were made, including
one from Mr.. Hoar in reply to DIR.
Hewitt, but the notable event Of
the day was the hot discussion be-
tween Democrats. This is not a
time to indulge in ordinations and
recriminations among ourselves, but
if the Northern Democrats think
the South can again be betrayed
into any overt act to obstruct the
processes of Federal law, to inau-
gurate civil strife, or in any way ia
resist the government, even in the
hands of a sectionalized party, they
are mistaken. We cannot be USED
as a catspaw. We have had enough
Of war; know all about the terrible
meaning Of the word, and the real
ity of the fact. We sincerely be-
lieve, yea know, that Tilden wa.
elected and should be President
and it is impossible to yield to tn.
minority without deep regret ant
evaporation. Such feelings vii
find expression, and it is natural T.
pitch into somebody. 1t il not sur
prising, then, that the Northern
Democrats, who in some degree a
least encouraged the South in 1866
should taunt us with submission
when they find discretion, coolnes
and foresight in the place they es
peeted impulse and fiery temper
When the war was over and tn
Southern States were given over
the tender mercies Of untutore
Africans and unprincipled adyel
turers, and tins whole section W,
made to feel the grinding heel
power, the people gradually resume
cordial relations with the Dem.
cratic party Of the North and ha,
acted with it in good faith eve
since. The Southern States ha,
been treated as conquered provinc.
and the Republican party has pc
sistently treated the people as rebe
still unworthy of confidence. Tn.
party has done nothing as yet
make us feel in love with it. ]
have done SO would have been
admit on our part a loss of self.l
spect and manhood. Hence v
have stood shoulder to should
with the great national Democrat
party and shall ever be true to /
cardinal principles; but it com
1T -.I- IL