The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-05-27
The Franchise Question.


CC0usspoBdsnee Of the Nashville Oaion-I
Mr. Error
From the discussions which have ta-
ken place in the Legislature for few
days past, on the Franchise Question,
it Is apparent that some very vague
ideas are entertained by members Of
that body upon the subject. The Dec
IaraGon Independence sets forth Ger
tain inzlisnable rights. These right
are declared .aqEsrg5ls They cannot
De taken away from us, or given away
by US. Neither can they be conferred
upon u. No law or municipal rsgu)a-
ton can confer these rights, they
are given Us by the cd who made
US and are sbo7e all hunaR Law
The right IS it is called, to
vote, stands II 3 different category. It
is the creature Of law and Is conferred
or withheld by arbitrary enaclnasnt A
proper distinction in the usa. Of l1gz
terms would therefore class ths ss-cqLLsd
right TO vote as a privilege Or JrarcLige
rather than as 3 right ! have said that
this franchise was conferred or withheld
arbitrarily. What but arbitrary rule de-
termines the age at (which young man
may cast his voter If the privilege Of
voting be a right sacred and inViolable,
why sre the women Of our country,
who are citizens as well as We, depri-
we'd of that Tight2 If to vote be q zgLL
why is it that our fellow citizens Of the
the District of Columbia and OF the
Territories of the United States are de
prived ofthat right? The truth seems
to be that it is franchise conferred
upon certain portions of our citizens
for the good of the State.
In childhood I remember, that under
the old Constitution Of Tennessee free
negroes were allowed to vote When
our fathers abrogated that Constitu-
ton and made new one, they robbed
the free colored men Of no right, bat
prohibited them from the enjoyment
of a privilege previously accorded them.
The extent of this franchise has been
q matter of Legislative or Conventional
action from the first establishment Of
popular government
Being then priri3e7c or trqnctise it
is clearly matter to be determined by
municipal regulation. The amended
| Constitution places the question under
the control of the present Legislature
The only question then Is, TO what in
tent shall it exercise the power given
to it2 This must be determined by
the true object of this franchise l
have already said that this object was
the good of the State.
We have had q gigantic rebellion. This
rebellion has been crushed by the
strong arm of military power. TIE
rebel armies have been broken up, and
the rebel soldiers are in our midst
Gentlemen have used their powers Of
observation to little purpose who have
/ failed TO observe in their demeancr
evidence of the fact that they are TO
dav az rebcIlious IN spirit ss when they
| left their homes four years ago. They
return as they themselves are proud 20
/ say, "overpowered, but not su51tcd
| F ur years ago they were 50 schoo'ed in
hatred 10 the Federal government that
/ they were ready TO incur the aawlu! guilt
Of treason. to imbrue their haHds IN
blood, and open wide the d,od gates Of
devastation and ruin, forigs overthrow
-Four years of teaching, under such
masters IS Forrest AID Wheeler, sud
Baauregard and D wis, have no, taught
them lessons of veneration for the IN
stitutions for the overthrow Of which
every evil passion has been invoked
They have not learned to entortaiu feel
ings Of affection for the loyal men oI
| the country. Disguise II as you may,
the fact stands boldly out, that the
/ loyal men Of the State must rule or 5e
ruled n, the rs5els The alternative musI
be- determined By the action Of th'
present General Assembly. The Peo
gle demand that they shall rule.
LOYAL.