Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-19

AAAN ANFtAN A-AeN'N~ ~"
Correspondence Of the Union and Americana
EAST TENNESSEE August 10th, lSG6.-As
the question Of negro suffrage is one OF the
live issues of our State, and one which will
have to be met by the Conservative Union
party in their future political digladiatlons
with the Radicals, perhaps it is not amiss,
now. to canvass the question little.
Under our Constitution Of 1896, Every
f-ccHaH of twenty-one years of age, possessing
a freehold IN his county, and an inhabItant OF
the State twelve months, and Of the county
six months, was entitled to vote for members
of the General Assembly" From the adop-
ton of that Constitution, down to 1854,
when IL was amended, no one was DIS
qualified rs a voter on account OF color
aerclV. lf the person Offering his
vote, were a freeman and tie 0lcner q
q freehold in his county, twenty-one years ol
age. and mad been an inhabitant OF the Stale
twelve months, and of the county six months,
he was entitled to stand at the polls as the
equal Of the purest blooded and most glited
white man there. even though he were as
black as Eblis, though his immediate ances-
tors NAV have made the middle passage
from the coast of Congo, and have been ac-
/ customed, in their torrid home, TO dine upon
baked parson, or as Rev. SIDNEY SMITH
acetiouslv SAYS, 70 constantly keep slice OF
cold curaie on their sideboard.
By the amended Constitution, of 1884, the
right of suffrage is denied the negro.
Now. WV this change? Was it on ac-
count of any increased hostility to the negro
Not at all. Those familiar with the history
of that period well know that there was
about that time a strong disposition towards
Il ,I..H,T a,HTs. InN saTN
was then regarded, by very many Of even
the slaveholding population, as an evli, TO
he eradicated as rapidly as consistent with
the interests Of both races. The cotempora-
peous legislation. and the adiudications OF
our courts of that and later periods, show
that the legal rights Of the free negro were
thoroughly respected and protected.
This franchise. therefore, could not have
been taken from him, simply from hostility
to him on account Of his color. Experience
had shown that he was not a worthy cu'to-
dian OF so valuable prcrogative-that the
ballot in his hands was not appreciated, but
was the subject Of barter and traffic, and al
the control Of corrupt demagogues and place
seekers
The probability of very considerable
augmentation OF that class OF population
resulting from the spirit Of emancipation,
then prevalent, excited aPprehensions IN th'
public mind that such an element, thus en-
iarged. might contribute, to an alarming eN
tent, i'm corrupting the ballot-boN.
II there were grounds for a reasonable ap
prehension of such a result, at that time
from the occasional manumissions then oc
curing and which were, in a majority q
instances, of faithful and tried servant
: thus rewarded for their merit, have we no
now grounds Of serious alarm at the propo
sition 20 clothe with the elective franchise
the entire population Of adult male negroe
who have SO suddenly come TO the estate @
freedmen?
Divesting myself as much as possible, @
an Prejudice Of education, the propostlul
Is. / caudidlv confess TO me appalling. Adj
10 the electors of the State from 10000 L
$4,000 of an ignorant manumltted class
themselves and their ancestors for genera
tiOus before them, trained in habits OF unen
9 quiriug obedience 10 the will and cOmman
- of a superior race-the rudimental educa
! ton of thousands Of them in their new e
tate, acquired amid the corrupting inhu
4 onces of military camps, and who can fore
see the fearful consequences upon our sy'
tenn Of popular elections? Or rather VIII
cannot iorescc that their purity is gone
- that the nlaces of honor and emolument Wi
|, be speedily transferred 20 the custody of th
y unprincipled and corrupt who can comman
\ money 20 enter the political market?
Merit and talents, ii allied to povert
will forever be excluded from political pr,
y motion Public morals will become rapid
r corrupted, and cur popular form Of govern
ment will no longer command the admir-
e ton Of the world.
" And yet this is the great issue before q
s. people Of Tennessee. The opposing hos
e. aru rapidly marshaling under tLeir respe'
"a tive banners- black and white.
he From the dome Of the Capitol floats q
"a former-cmblem Of all the dark passio
le and purposes, which ranzle in the b0soms
e. the present and recent occupants Of th
IA stately odihce.