Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-11-26

practical christian.
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THE NEW IMPULSE OF THE SOUTH.
The Grant boom in the South is
vlriously construed 1t is deprecated
alike by the Northern Democrats and
Republican stalwarts. The move
ment, if it deserves that name, is look
ed upon by many as a new road in the
same old direction-a short cut across
ancient party meanderings in the di-
rection of national patronage. The
Pittsburg Post, staunch old Demo
cratic paper, says "Since 1861 the
South has had precious little of Uncle
Sans money. 1t has any quantity Of
hungry politicians with grand schemes
of internal Improvement, claims, sub
sides. etc. These people are very
suspicious of Tilden. He has the old
Democratic ideas about the misuse Of
the public revenues. His Southern
claims letter was entirely too pointed
and sweeping. No wonder that relict
of the old Whig party, Aleck Steph-
ems, who believes in throwing other
peoples money around by the wagon
load, says he infinitely prefers Grant
TO Tilden. There is not lobbyist
speculator, corporation, claim agent
land grabber, subsidyist or jobber in
legislation in the land, but holds with
Mr.. Stephens. 1t seems that most oil
the people north of the Ohio river arc
united in opposition to any federal
aid for the South. We are supposed
to be in tie union, but not of the
union that is. in it TO pay taxes, but
not to hold Offices or enjoy the benefits
of governmental aid extended to other
sections. The Grant idea in the
South, like the shadowywaye of impc
rialism, which swept over the whole
country ten or twelve years ago, may
have been born Of discouragement and
stimulated by the hope of restoring
the Southern States to an equality in
the union. 1t may be as eyanescent
as lunar rainbow, yet back of it there
are deep-seated causes thus expressed
There is a growing feeling strength
ened by each successive general elec
tion and session of Congress, that nc
party in the North deals fairly with us
and that we muRt take care of our
selves not only In developing our re
sources, rebuilding the waste places
and educating the rising generation up
60 grapple with the new order Of
things; but in securing our proportion
Of national aid and protection. We
propose to be something more than
Outlying provinces Of a rich central
government, required 10 make brick
without straw. Having complied with
every obligation of law implied or ex.
pressed in the federal constitution and
the statutes uuder it, we claim to be
equals with all other states in the
Union in proportion to our population
and productive capacity. This is a
matter of business as well as senti-
n:ent and patriotism. a new order ol
things has dawned, and we must
still further learn to adapt our
selves to the situation and make the
most of it. Ti;s need not involve any
sacrifice of pdpoiSle, manhood or
pride. Self.presGrvatien is the first
law of nature, but ofall laws perhaps
the most disregarded by many South.
crn people. We must look out toI
number one, and the old editors and
politicians and dreamers DO not feel
the necessity, the younger generation
that Grant speaks ofwill, and will act
upon it regardless ofancient grooves.
However, we are not going to secede
from the Union or the Democratic party
nor will the South take up Republi-
cau candidates much less their meth
DDS and expodients, such as Mr.. Bay
ard alludos to. 1t is proposed rather TO
let the Northern Democrats, from Mr.
rItllnn In,rn 10 Nh rnnL nnA Gln