Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-03-27
SUSTAIN posroN AND WALKER.

On Saturday next we are 10 nave an
other election for members Of Legisla-
ture that seems to defy time and project
its duration to the very brink of eternity
Organized in the midst of war and de-
yastation, it is untitled for the milder
business of peace, because it brings into
the altered condition of the country the
passions that presided at its birth,
What the sword has left underoured'
this body would, by enactment, dsmollsh
When GRANT and SHERMAN disbanded
the Southern armies, and JOHNSON pro-
claimed an amnesty, the Tennessee Leg
islature began war to conquer the lib
critics of the people by DISTINGUISHING
and erecting over them an oligarchy OF
passion, ignorance and intolerance. In
n minority, that melts away with each
rising sun, those who cling to the offices
of the State, would discard all the estah-
Gshed maxims of free government and
perpetuate power of the most despotic
character in the hands of an insigniti-
cant dozen or two of men, that they may
scourge, at will, the great masses of the
people.
To such Legislature We have sent,
and are to send, members from this
county. CAMERON was not allowed to
hold his seat. For what reason, the
country is already advised PosToS and
WAIERR resigned theirs to defeat the
most iniquitous measure ever concocted
in the interest of tyranny. For their
conduct they haze been eensured and
pplauded-censured by those who in
sist that. though tine people have laid
down their arms and been pardoned, they
are still rebels, and possess no rights
which Union man is under obligation
to respect; nor privileges common TO the
meanest races of the ear;h-applauded
by those who detest tyranny, and de-
rnand all the rights appertaining under
onr Republican system, TO every free
born American BY this latter class,
constituting the great majority Of the
people, PosT0S and WALLER are deemed
TO have acted correctly in resigning their
seats 10 defeat measure fraught with
consequences most fatal TO the great
principles of the declaration of indie
pendence-" life, liberty, and the pur
suit of happiness. = And the Issue to be
determined on Saturday is, shall these
men be sustained? Those who oppose
them must be understood no matter
what profession they may make, to con-
denim their retirement Condemning
them is TO condemn all who retired, and
to condemn all who retired, is, in effect,
10 sustain the pending act of disfran-
chisement Reason as we may, this con-
olusion is irresistible If they had re-
manned, the bill would have passed, that
is certain To condemn them for retiring,
is to condemn them for defeating it. And
so, in any turn the argument may take,
the conclusion is the same
We suppose, of course, that Posroy
and WALKER will have some sort of OPP
position, and that opposition would not
object to getting every registered vote in
the county, no matter whether correctly
registered or not 1t is not the policy of
.l:l..o, a. ;non.ra into he o,,.l;co
ton Of voters who vote for them. Well
then, suppose three or fonr thousand
men in Shelby county shall vote for a
couple Of opposing candidates and elect
them. They go to Nashville, duly elected,
qualified, and take their seats The
Franchise bill comes up for final vote
Though the members from Shelby might
vote against it, they secure its passage
because they make a quorum They
wonld more likely vote for il. II does
not matter, the result is the same They
disfranolise ee:foUrths Of the men TO
srhoHrt they ore their election They de-
stroy the source of their authority; they
legislate themselves out of a constitu-
ency, represent nobody, but still remain
in office and get their per diem, wrung
from the pockets Of the people whom
they disfranchise.
If the dear people have any taste for
this sort Of thing they have an excellent
opportunity 20 crafty it If they have
permit TO vote now and wish 20 get rid Of
it. let them vote on Saturday for some
body or bodies in opposition to PosTos
and Waller If they do so, and elect
them, the polls wilb not bother them
again for years TO come We now, in
disrnissing for to-day fcrbiddinG sub-
iect, advise the people Of Shelby county
that they cen on Saturday next, with
very little trouble to themselves, prepare
for the pleasant process Of disfranchise-
nent by voting against Posrox and
TlrrrE-