The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-19
TIE YIcE. pRESIDENCY.

There being but one opinion rs 10 who viii head
the Democratic National ticket tho second place
comes In, naturally, for great deal Of intriguing,
speculation and gossip. But one thing In regard 10
the Vice Presidential nomination seems to DO set.
ted--thc location OF the candidate IL Is conceded
thathc win bc--must bc-a Western man. II also
seems pretty clear that there but three gentle
men whose names are used In connection with the
Office by their consent, probably their approval
The three nre Gen Black, OF Illinois, Col Morrison,
OF the same State, and Gov. Gray, OF Indiana All
three Of these men were Union soldiers and made
highly honorable records ia the service Black
and Morrison were each desperately wounded, the
former several times the latter once when leading
brigade In Smiths stubborn charge on GIANTS
left during the short and bloody siege Of Fort Don.
cison. Gray did his duty, was well regarded by his
commanding Officers and by the men under him.
SO iar as this item IN their records may be beneh'
cinl TO the ticket the three are ION equal terms"-
| Chattanooga Tmos
Admitting all that is here said so enthu-
siastically OF Black, Morrison and Gray, we
cannot concedc that the candidate for the
Vice-Presldency must necessarily be a
Western man. Why should he not be u
Southern man? Tho South is not dis
franchised, its citizens are eligible TO
every and any Office under the Govern
mcnt, why should not one OF them be
nominated for the second place on the
National ticket by the party 10 which the
Southern people have given hearty and
unstin,ed support since 1858. Southern
men sit in the Senate and the
House, and legislatc for the dearest
and grayesi concerns OF the Union. Why
should not one OF them be elected TO pre-.
side over the Senate IA possible successor
TO the chair, which so many Southemers
have filed with honor and credit to them.
selves and the country. Southern men
I'll places In tho Cabinet of President
Cleveland M they did IN the Cabinets Of
Grant and Hayes, directing the affairs OF i'm.
portant departments and as executive aids
enforcing and executing the laws, why
cannot such one be nominated by the
Democratic party for Vice. President.
What is there in that Office that should
lit Il above the reach Of Southern men
like those who sit as United States Judges,
Senators and Representatives and Cabinet
officers. Its responsibilities are no greater
than these, and like them. II is open
TO every aspiring citizen OF the
United States. For the South longer
TO neglect the assertion OF lis right In this
regard is 10 confess that IL disfranchise-
mcnt 10 far ~ that Office and the Presi-
dency is concerned may be perpctuated in
definitely; Il Is to confess q great wrong
that may in time lead TO very serious con.
sequences TO be on act Of justice. The
modest forbcarancc OF the South II pcr-
sisted in may come TO be regarded us a
precedent dangerous 10 the rights
Of sections or Of States. Since the
war we have fallen into the habit
oilocking alone 10 New York iorour Presi.
dental candidates, and Of utterly aud alto
gcthcr overlooking the claims Of the South
in the matter OF the two highest offices Ia
the giit Of the people. This is not Dcmoc
racy-ii Il the easy acquicsccnce In the
dcspoiism OF the balance Of party power