Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-11
m,NoRIrIEs VS.. MAJoRITIEs.

If the victory of the North gave that
section the right, or the power to dispose
of the political institutions of the South.
ern States. il cannot be logically claimed
that it gave to a minority of the Southern
people a right to govern the majority
Nor can il be claimed that it gave to
those who might emigrate to the South
from other parts Of the country that
right. 1t was the Government, not lndii
viduals. that dealt with the South. And
vet we see individuals, both native and
toreion. clothe themselves with assump-
lions of authority and the attributes oil
government. With such, the great mass
of our people have TO deal Products OF
the hot-house of war, and the benehcia-
ries of whatever civil authority was per
mitted under the domination OF martial
law, they find it convenient TO claim
power as a perpetuity They assume
that a claim to loyalty dating back into
the midst of the war, of itself invests
them with authority 10 govern, control
and regulate the people in exactly such
manner and t. such extent as they had
governed, controlled and regulated them
selves previous to that event.
This preteution, or rather this actual
ity must be submitted to, or else
resisted. The people must either aban
don all claim of right of government, oil
assert it in such a manner as will be
most likely TO prove successful Inc
obstacles TO be overcome are great, bu
they are not insurmountable. Other
wise, the theory of the Government has
changed, or been superseded BY another
des,,otic in its character and unknown
TO the founders of our political system
But the idea Of submitting to this new
enforced order Of things is not enter
tanned for moment by the people. |
they are not entitled to civil government
they will desire to be informed of tn
reason. No ordinary reason will satisi.
them. 1t must not only be a substantial
one. but It must have numbers to enforc
il. They have been accustomed to thin
that there is no law either natural o
municipal which accords to the Jesse
number the right to control the create
the right of a dozen men to COVER
five hundred The claim is new, an
was never heard of until the close Of tn
recent war.
The present government OF this stat
was meant for state of war, and is,
neaoe. little less than usurpation.
is probable that ten thousand vote
might be polled by BRowSLow part.
The intention of the franchise act WI
TO prevent another class Of citizens fro
voting In the hands of these men,
,beS are a majority of the registers
voters. absolute control Of all the Peep
of the State will be invested There
we believe, no period determined, &c
tainly none intended, when the franehi
NAV be restored. The Representative
oe tie ten thousand would not be like
20 clothe those with the ballot who wou
cas-, II against them and terminate the
- Well then, in this view OF :
matter. what can we. do to regain j.
authority, and restore the republic
form Of the State? If there is one pr
ciple settled more definitely than anO'f
IN our history and constitutional law
i that which aecords to majority
the white people Of a State the right
liter or amend their organic Law
pleasure Ii is nowhere decided or ma
aimed By any American sisiesmAn' l'
YER iurisi or publicist that minor
80 that right An attempt to exere
:, Is revolutionary. The exercise o.