Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-22
PUBLIC OPINION,
As Reflected by Exchanges in
Different Portions OF The
State.
Franklin Prosress.l

| franklin ProSress.
For ourselves we are partial to a 80
4 compromise. To us this seems mos
fair, most just, most in keeping witt
the principles of our party, and it.
past history dignifed, as it ever ha,
been, by a lofty superiority over pas
sion and prejudice. We may be
wrong. The party in convention as
sembled may adopt different basis oil
settlement than that which we now
favor, and which we believe it will
adopt. Ifit should, holding as we do
that concession is properly the order
OF the day, and believing a united
Democracy to be of paramount i'm
portanee, we will, and that too with.
out violence to principle, adopt and
advocate that basis with earnest ap.
prOVal. 1t is unjust to say of the
party that there is not enough con-
seryatlsm and moral force within the
party to unite it. The past rebukes
such an assertion, the future will dis.
prove it, and we confidently believe
the day is fast dawning for a thor
oughly harmonious Democracy.
We do not agree with the Dresden
Democrat that THE breach in the
party is SO wide and so deep that it
cannot be healed in days and weeks.
but is the work of years, if it can be
healed at all. The view is that of a
pessimist who lacks confidence in the
party he claims to love. We say with
kindness, such utterances are weak
and merit most heartily disapproval
from every patriotic Democrat who
believes fusion of the different fac
tons ofthe party to be, at best, but a
matter of few months. The Dem.
crat" will yet find out that this rally
round the flag business" of which il
speaks so derisively, is the awakening
OF great party to necessity which
its own following has imposed.
Murfreesboro Free Press: Do you
hear that? The Republican horn is
sounding I'm favor Of a constitutional
convention for the purpose of settling
the State debt question" Listen and
you will soon hear the yelping of the
hounds. The coercionists intend TO
wrest that question out of the hands
of the people, where it rightfully be.
longs, and put it into the hands Of
creatures Of their creation. We ad.
wise the people to stand fast in the
liberty wherewith the Supreme Court
has made them free, and be not again
entangled in yoke Of bondage.
Hickman Pioneer: A large ma
jority OF the Democratic papers of the
State are urging harmony in the party.
declaring that all factions must unite
and settle the State debt and thus de.
feat the Republican party.
We are much gratifed to see this.
and hope that this spirit can prevail
until it culminatcs in a solution of
the vexing problem Of sentiment, be
lieving, as we do, that this can be
done without sacrifice of principle
by anybody.
The Republican party with its solid
phalanx of we'll disciplined adherents,
threatening to capture our Constitu
tional Convention and thus accom-
plish the purpose of settling the debt
at their own figures. and gain perma-
nent ascendancy in Tennessee, is in
deed menacing spectacle, and should
cause Democrats to lay aside personal
opinions and ambitions, and look to
the vital interest of their party and
people.
Mark our predictions If Democrats
don't quit piddling aud fooling with
so important question as the State
debt, and don't settle it, the old party
will go tn the wall; for the fact cannot
be denied that hundreds Of her warm.
est supporters look at the question as
one above politics and party, and will
affiliate with any party to get it set
tied.
Let US then come together, and,
laying aside our differences, battle
against the common enemy.