Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-11-18
The CrOakers.

The CrO0kers.
Nashville World, l6,
Ever since the wal there has been a
lot Of disgruntled spirits in the South
who have invariably criticised every
stop taken by the Democratic party.
Even unto this day do We hear this
same raven cry, and not untrequently
from men who claim to be Democrats.
They say that we have not pro-
crossed, and for the reason that the
Democratic party has moved only on a
line Of bluuders and mistakes.
Some of these emphatic critics 90
so far as to declare that the Demo
cratic Representatives in both Houses
of Congress have literally done moth
ing since the war TO better affairs, or
to help the condition OF the people.
This school are continually shou'.
ing out that we must be progressive
and conservative.
If this means anything in the world,
it signifies hal the policies and ten
denotes and practices of the Repub-
lican party must be initiated and fol-
lowed and Endorsed.
Because the Democratic party bas
been the only organization that has
offered one iota Of opposition to the
Republican party, since it entered on
its policy Of pillage, plumber and rob-
berry.
We can take the career Of one in
the Democratic party and refute all
the calumnies uttered by the halt
hearted Democrats and open mouthed
enemies of the Democratic party.
1t is that of Allen G. Thurman, of
Ohio.
At the mention of this great name
every Democratic heart throbs with
pride.
1t hasa manlier ring in it than
comes from the mention Of any other
name Of our time.
He went into the Senate Of the
United States at a period when Thad
Stevens, in the House, and Morton,
Wade, Chandler and Wilson, in the
Senate, were lOrding it over the South
in a manner that utterly crushed all
hope out of the hearts of her people.
There were but a handful of patriots
on the Democratic side of the chamber
to help the old Roman. He was the
champion of home rule. He was the
hero Of the army fighting for the lib
Grafton Of the South from carpetbag
aud scalawag rule. 1t was a fight for
the rescuing Of the South from the
fate of Poland and Ireland.
Do our people forget that hour Of
gloom and despair?
Can they ever forget those dark and
hideous days?
Thurman fought for US and that
fight wal the fight of the Democratic
party.
1t was won and he remained in the
Senate chamber long enough to see
the majOrities.
lie saw his enemies die on his right
and left.
By the votes Of the people be saw
them defeated and retired to the rear.
The South to-day is free from the
Ohio to the gulf.
Who did it?
The answer comes yelling up from
the hearts Of the redeemed and freed,
the Democratic party did it and
Allen G. Thurman was its grand in
strument.
This is the mightiest fact in our
later history.
Just before the Republican party,
in the pay Of the money power, start
ed upon the bloody programme Of
contraction. Thurman offered a resoi
luton in the Senate, requiring the
government to receive its own paper
in payment Of its own dues.
This was defeated by the Repub.
lican party under the lead Of John
Sherman.
The grinding proceeded, and moi
before the civilized world was startled
and shocked at the unparalleled
bankruptcy and ruin wrought b.
Sherman did they stop.
Amid the wreck and disaster
which had befallen the business Of /;
continent, John Sherman was forced
by the Democratic party to stop the
destruction Of the greenbacks at thu
point that the volume now reaches.
Besides he complimented his grea.
rival by issuing an order, without tn,
sanction ofthe law, that the treasurl
agents everywhere should receive thu
notes Of the government in payment 0
all dues.
Why was it not done when Thur
man suggested it?
What ruin would have beer
avoided?
By so doing an equalization o
values was reached and the Demo.
cratic party justified in its policy.
These two facts stand boldly out il
our history to rebuke the defamers 0
Democracy.
They also show that the gratitudI
; Of the South and Of all the people 0
the Union is due Allen G. Thurman
the graudest Democrat existing.