Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-06
POLITICAL.
How are we to Profit by Defeats
.Journed.

EDITORS APPEAL-Just as you predicted,
some time since, as to the disregard of
political organization, defeat and ruin has
followed. The fire and smoke of battle has
cleared away, all excitement has subsidized, land
now you can calmly survey the battlefield of
old Shelby and not one is left to tell the
tale. The field is literally strewn with dead
and slain Democracy. Now what a lesson
should be taught the living. When and how
is this defeat to be checked and made benef-
cial to the living? is the great question for the
opponents of Radiealism. Long years of po-
htlcal outrage, suffering and utter ruin and
bankruptcy has been the result of Radical
rule in the south-so great that we thought
and believed that the better common sense
of the people outside of the rings would die
tate united action, regardless of names, color,
or condition, against the opposition. But not
so, while the people, who are now utterly
ground to death by oppression and wrong,
after having aroused and whipped the Radl-
Gals out OF the country, and somewhat re-
Eeved themselves by getting better footing.
flushed with success, have gone to squabbhng
for place and power among themselves, Sand,
as ever, from dissentions, lost all. "a house
divided against itself cannot stand" How,
to-day, has this truism been verified as to
Shelby county, politically? That you have
some good officers may be; but in the future
what are you to gain by them? What is to
ue the result in the congressional election of
this crushing defeat? The tenth COMPRESSION
al district is an important one. You have it
now ably represented with man Of ability
and inhuence-one who, dare say, has done
more for Shelby county and Memphis than
any other ever did, saying nothing OF what
he has done for his other constituency and
the people of this great Mississippi valley.
Are you certain of keeping him there, or of
holding this district and keeping a Democrat
in? If so, how and by what means should
certainly begin to occupy the attention and
thoughts of this people. Radicalism has
been crushed here, you say; but not 50; to-day
it is crushed, but tomorrow it raises It's head
under new name and sweeps everything
before it. Nationalism may have its great
virtue in its name, and may attract many
conservatives to its folds by its name. but the
combination with Radicalism of itself is
enough to damn it with all true opponents
of Radicalism, if they will only reflect or
think for moment. Fayette and Hardeman
counties are greatly interested In this congress
sional representative, and it will hurt US
greatly to loose this district and if Shelby
county don't be up and at work organizing,
we will surely loose Our congressman and have
a Radical In his place. This district is close
one to carry at best, and with all united
strength and harmony it is doubtful, and
with the crushing defeat in Shelby county,
where we have been routed and whipped
terribly, with no organization, no leaders,
and every squad for himself, how can we ex-
pect to accomplish anything. Organize and
drill, Conservatives, for this contest! Have
no splitting up; no independents; no moth
ing, but one great united organization against
Radicaiism, Nationalism and other iSmS an
tagonistic to our Democratic principles, and
let every voter stand by and vote the straight
full ticket, and work for it, or we will be de-
feated surely. FAYETTE.