Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-04-03

OF the case, than a forced settlement.
If our whole system of government is
not a farce, the manifest, conscious
will of the people is the standard OF
all political action. Then in relation
to our state debt let us stand by the
will Of the people. There is nothing
to be lost to the state credit view OF
the subject. Surely the low tax men
cannot object to standing by a verdict
brought about by themselves.
The verdic. of the people having
settled the question, so long as exist
ing conditions obtain, what is the
necessity of any agitation Of the ques-
ton in the canvass that is to ensue
this year? Ny plan of harmonization
is to ignore the question entirely,
forego all discussion or agitation in
the election even of governor aud
members OF the legislature. Unless
we ignore the question in our state
election it will be impossible to pre-
vent the agitation and division in the
democratic party in our state canvass
from affecting seriously the presiden-
tial canvass in the state, and indeed
throughout the Union. As proof OF
this we have but to remember the eff
feet of the Johnson split in the state
in 1872.
am aware that there are extremists
on both sides. who will not consent 10
anything looking to the harmonization
of the party. There are those on both
sides who have not made all for them
selves as yet, they think there is in
this agitation. The rejection of 50-4,
will be mistaken for encouragement to
the extreme low tax men to agitate.
The extremists on the other side are
already feeling their way to combina-
ton with the republicans, with a view
to making the next governor and
u. S. senator. But the great con-
sentative mass Of the people of the
state will rise .above the petty, war
ring factions and will bid them, peace,
be still, will bid the ghost of Banquo
to down" and at their bidding it will
down. Their action will be based
upon the sovereign will of the peo-
pie, so expressed at the ballot box,
and it is bound to control the con-
tending factions. The conservative
masses will be governed by the tradi-
lions, the presidents and custom of
the party, and not by the interest of
either faction. Consulting the i'm.
memorial usage of the party they
will insist on the reelection of
Governor Marks who has at
least given as much satisfaction on
this vexed question as either of his
two last predecessors, both of whom
were reelected by the democratic
party. They will forestall all efforts to
elect a governor by a combination, by
a bargain and sale between the high
tax democrats and republicans. As
to U. S. senator, Mr.. Bailey having
made an acceptable representative on
questions of national import, they will
be disposed to pay him the merited
compliment Of a reelection, provided
he keeps his hands clean of all com
binations. As a further step toward
completing the work of harmonization.
the people will be willing in counties
entitled to more than one representa-
tive in the legislature, to take one of
one faction and another of an
other faction; pledging them all how
ever, to nOn-actiOn on the state debt
question, and against any increase Of
the taxes.
Thus we will be able to tide itover this
presidential year without any division
or wrangle 10 the great democratic
party. Is this not to be desired by all
true democrats who love their country
and their country's institutions, and
who believe they depend for their pres.
eryation and perpetuity on the demo.
cratic party? Especially when this mere
party result is brought about not by
tactics or strategy, but rests upon the
solemn verdict of the people, expressed
in the mode provided by law. But
we are told by the American that
all national issues dwarf into insigpif-
canoe before the question of state
credit. Ii the result Of the ensuing
presidential election is to decide the
question forever, as to whether there
is to be left any state lines on state
existencies as | verify believe it is. we
had better attend to that question
before we concern ourselves so much
aboutstate credit. 1.-THE states of this
American union, with our democratic
institutions, are to be overwhelmed in
the vortex of radical revolution, I.
for one, shall not be very solicitious
about our credit, owned by those who
have aided and abetted in precipitat-
ing this ruin. Let the great demo-
cratic party harmonic in all the
states, aud throughout the union. and
our liberties and institutions will vet
be rescued from impending ruin and
handed down to posterity intact and
unimpaired-the priceless heritage we
received from the generations that
have preceded us. But let mon
omaniacs divide us on distractions or
theories Of local and minor Importance
at most, and all is lost.
That such a calamity will be avert
ed we can but trust in an overruling
providence, and in the wisdom and
patriotism of our people.
| remain yours truly,
WIN. p. TOLLEY.
The Ways and Means Committee.