Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-26
Howell Il. JacksOn's Political
Stains.

have taken place there.
Howell Il. JacksOn's Political
Statas.
"a State Credit Democrat" in
Sundays Appeal, tests, from one point
of view, Mr.. Jackson's position of at
tempting the solution of problem in
the political field about equal to what.
in the aerobatic arena, would at once
be pronounced an impossibility-that.
namely, of straddling and fairly riding
two horses going in opposite directions
at one and the same time. In either
case the adventurous crank would be
either pulled asunder, losing thereby
all personal identity, or, as would
more likely chance, give way to a bias
in favor OF one side, and ride, ike the
Hudibrastic compounder between
right and wrong-who yielded to the
latter-to the side "he was inclined
to-" propose to speak of Mr.. Jack
son from a different point OF view
from the standpoint he at once as
sumed when he became a bolter (per.
haps even it was in his mind when,
thrAgh the manipulations Of Roderick
Random Butler, he was indebted to
him aud the Republicans in the Ten
nessee Legislature for his election to
the United States Senate). Ignering
all Of his past as a Democrat of the
JeffersOnian school, and Of fealty and
loyalty to the party principles therein
inculcated as the "modus vivendi" of
his political lite, he speaks in differ
ent strain, and as though change had
come over the relation Heretofore
existing between him and other Dem
ocrats; he discovers that he is raised
far above them, is hedged somehow
around as being of superior order,
something akin 10 "the divinity which
doth hedge a king" saying, Il will
never educate my people downward"
etc. All this | notice cursorily to
make point of on the broadest prin-
ciples of political duty. From the
earliest known times there have been
two influences necessarily at work
antagonizing each other in all forms OF
government; in the most absolute Of
despotisms, so in the most pronounced
of democracies The assertion is
broad, but | think it can be elucidated
and illustrated.
In moral government it is generally
accorded by writer's on the subject that
there are two principles underlying all
other foundations that are, have ever
been, and will, more or less, ever be,
however advanced man may become,
striving for mastery. These are known
in their struggle for ascendency in and
over mans moral nature as good and
evil. AS these are in the moral world
SO are the democratic and autocratic
in the political. The greatest good to
the greatest number" is the aphorism
deduced on the one side, backed by its
complementary adjunct, eternal vigil
ance is the price Of liberty" On the
other we have the autocratic assertion
that "the few only are fitted to govern,
the many must be ruled" backed by
the sentiment that "only by ooeTsive
power can peace be maintained, " or,
as was announced by Russia when
Poland lay strangled at her feet,
Peace reigus in Warsaw" Democ-
racy proclaims, Descending still from
sire to son, freedoms battle, seeming
lost, is ever won.' Autocracy shrieks,
"God descends; we rule by right ldi-
vine You common fellows are of the
earth earthly, and have no rights but
such as, in our benignity, we see fit to
bestow."
Now, if in politics principles on
which parties are based should rule
influential individuals, then to allow
mere side issues to rule them when the
aseendency of party is at stake, is
criminal, and should be condemned
and denounced.
Arthur, the noted corrupt machine
politician of New York, now Presi
dent of the United States, working
strenuously for personal aggrandise-
ment and for Capitalization Of power
iu the party Numerically opposed to
the Democratic theory, has OPEN
| ly avowed his aim to Ma
honeize this State Of Tennessee.
and is working every influence to chat
end. As matters now are it happens,
fortunately or unfortunately, that
Howell Il. Jackson stands prominently
forth as the instrument to be used for
its consummation Indebted as he is
for his election as United States Sena-
tor to Republican votes, Mr.. j. sud
denly changes front, casts off allegi-
ance to party ties and the policy that
he had undeviatingly approved aud
adopts a line antagonistic thereto.
What is the natural inference in view
that he cannot but be aware that, If
President Arthur succeeds by any
means in carrying Tennessee in the
present State canvass for the Radical
party, it is dangerously probable that
it will defeat the Democratic party
for tae Presidential Office and its con.
troll of the Federal government in the
election for those ends in the years
now rapidly 0pproachingH If Mr..
Jackson is so impressed and yet con-
tinues the course he is now pursuing,
there is but one judgment that can be
: passed on him, and that is, that as a
= Democrat he is derilict and unworthy
, to be trusted in any shape as its ex,
6 ponent, and that he should follow his
chosen "file leader, the editor of the
Avalanche, who, eternally prating OF
his being great and good" and wise
and ioreseeing far beyond credibility
: has, ever since he assumed the edi.
r tolial tripod, been the malignant
1 enemy OF everything bordering OF
Democracy and the right OF tn,
y masses, and by his ingeniou tergiver
: lations done his utmost e. assail botl
and play into the hands Of centralized