Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-08-12

voted down. a recess was taken un-
til two o'clock.
AT that hour the convention reas-
sembled. The committee on platform
filed gravely in, the venerable Judge
Van Dyke, with his long white hair
streaming over his shoulders, being in
the lead. All felt the solemnity and
Importance of the hour, and the noisy
assemblage was for once hushed and
comparatively respectful. The ma
jority report, signed by twenty-one
members of the committee, was
read in a clear, ringing voice,
by Neill S. Brown, in front of the
chairman.'s desk. The minority re-
ports were likewise read.
This was followed by a very stormy
scene. Mr.. Snodgrass, the ablest
speaker and leader on the low credit
side, declared that thirty or thirty
five counties would withdraw if the
convention failed to submit the final
settlement to the people. A num-
Der Of speeches were made, and
near night last evening the conven-
tion took recess. The night session
was confusion worse confounded, each
side getting in its work according to
strength and long power. A letter
was read from Governor Marks de-
claring that he could not accept a
nomination unless this question were
submitted to the people, yet he would
stand by the party. The majority re-
port was adopted by a large majority
amid adiourning applause. When the
split was formally announced the low
credit delegates, to the number of
seventy-fve or more, left the hall and
organized as a state convention else.
where. The vote on the platform,
taken by call of counties, stood-ayes,
S35; nays, 437. The departure of the
secessionists was the occasion of
Kisses, groans and confusion. 1t was
not a scene upon which any
good citizen, whether democrat or not,
could look with pleasure or satisfac-
ton. The party cannot afford at a
time like this to be rent in twain.
The low credit men are very earnest,
and they have some strong reasons
for their course. We deeply de-
plore this division in the demo-
cratic family, and unless better
counsels prevail to-day at Nashville,
we will lose two or three congressman,
possibly the governor, and certainly
our usual majority in the legislature.
Shelby county sent up state credit
delegation, but they are men of mod
crate views, and our understanding is
! that majority Of them are in favor of
submitting any settlement agreed
upon by the legislature to the
people. There was very little dispo-
sition to compromise on either side.
The high credit men we're confident,
jubilant aud resolved to make the
most of the advantage, believing that
the others would not dare to bolt at
a time when the success of the dem
ocratiC party, both in a state and
national sense, would be endangered.
The low credit men were quiet, sullen
and resolved to carry their point at
all hazards. There is degree Of die
tation on one side, and desperation on
the other, No one can foresee the result.
If both sides hold out we may lose
the state, and possibly the presidency.
This is great crisis in the
affairs of the democratic party. We
sincerely hope that moderation, com
mon sense and patriotism will gain the
ascendency over personal feelings and
aims before it is too late. The lead
ers on both sides yet have it in their
power to effect reconciliation if they
earnestly desire it. 1t is impossible
for either wing of the party to carry
the state alone-a house divided
against itself cannot stand, and per-
haps we might add, does not deserve
to stand, The men who widen
the breach, but play into the hands of
the republican party, who, if in power
again, would speedily give us cause to
repent the folly and the crime that
brought about such misfortune.
Without knowing what has been done
to-day, we hope that a committee of
conference has been appointed, and
that these most unfortunate and in
opportune differences will be adjusted
before the hand Of brother is raised
against brother.
-.------
The widowed Mime Tsaac pereire