Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-05-02
"The first general convention

says: The hrst general convention
OF the democratic party ever held IN
the United States met in 1882, in
May, I'm Baltimore, for the purpose
of nominating a candidate for vice
president, to run with Jack
SON." There, IT." l have ''examin.
ed" Stephens history for you But |
will explain, for IT'S" benefit, how he
fell into his error. On pages z76. 284,
293 and 329, and perhaps in a few
other places, between John Adams
and John Quincy Adams administra-
tions, Mr. .!Stephens speaks Of the re.
publican or democratic party" or ola
Republican or democratic measure"
or caucus" Mr.. Stephens idea was
that the republicans as a body, were
the anti centralists, ald that after
wards, the democrats, as a body, were
the anti-centralists, and retained the
Jeffersonian principles, and his OBJECT
in so writing, as he did in 1874, was to
present to the minds Of the youth of
his country the thought that the dem
ocratic party was the successor in its
essential principles and creed Of the
old Jeffersonian republican party, Of
which, | regret to say, the present
democratic party now retains but little.
If"L.G.T." were a school teacher and
taught history as he writes it'll should
pity his pupils.
The Richmond State and its editor,
Chamberlayne, IT., are not good au-
thority where they are known, and,
besides, there was no readjuster party
in Virginia in 1872, as there is not an
avcwed nominal democratic party
there now.
IT., claiming to be a democrat,
mildly speaks OF the 1908 sovereign
ty surrendering bill as IAN error" and
says he is opposed to further agita-
ton" II as he believes the interest
equitable, and that any further dis
turbance (2) of the question will only
engender bitter feelings and create
d~issensions. If the barons at Run
nymede had thought as he does, and
acted as he advises, would we have ever
had magma charta? Did ever Hampden
or Chatham so think, or counsel
the people on usurpations, or the de
mands of tyranny If Americans
had thought and proposed to act as
1T" does, should we nave ever had
the Declaration of Independence or
our. constitution and federal govern
ment? For one. as a true democrat, l
say down with the infamous 1908 act,
if the deluge comes next.
In my articles on readjustment and
in defense of Malone and Right and
Truth, | was but leading up to the in
famous 100 3 act when diverted by
IL G. T." | purpose to clearly and
couclusively show that act is uncon-
stitutional, or if not unconditional is
repealable, and that no power can
save it two years, if the people of Ten
nessee will its destruction. | shall do
this 10 two or three short articles. |
shall write the first, and perhaps all,
next week, if my health permits; and
if 81. G. T." will read these care.
fully he may learn something Of real
Jeffersonian democracy.
| did not put the heading to my
article. | leave that work for the
editor, and let my articles speak for
themselves. 1T" was the grandilo.
quent heading to your article OF yes
terday your work?
And now respectfully advising
81. G. T." to read stephens HIS
tory" again, and more carefully, | bid
him a friendly farewell.
TRUE DEMOCRAT.