Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-11-15
Thursday Morning, Nov. Is, 1866
Message Of Governor
BroWnloW.

House of Representatives on We'd
nesday, 18th, Notwithstanding there
was not at the time quorum in
either branch of the Legislature.
We copy its important features.
Want of space prevents comment
to-day:
At your session in July last, in
the face of the direct opposition
of the Federal administration, and
in defiance of its power and pa
tronage, you ratified the pending
amendment to the Federal Con-
stitution. The loyal people of
the nation have approved the wis
dom and applauded the fearless
ness of your course; and the Con-
gress of the United States signi6ed
their appreciation by at once ad-
hitting to their seats your chosen
representatives, thus restoring to
our State all the rights and rela-
tons that had been lost or dis
turbed by the rebellion OF our
people. True, you have been
abused and denounced by the
President and his present follow
ers, while those who endeavored
by revolutionary acts to destroy
your organization have been hon
ored and rewarded; yet you have
enjoyed the appreciation of your
own conscience and received the
plaudits of the patriotic of the ma
ton, and may we'll go on in the
even tenor of your way, guided
alone by a sense of duty. Having
in this distinguished manner at
fixed the seal of your appreciation
to this amendment, it is proper
that you should mold your legisla-
ton to its spirit and design.
While it is true that this amend
ment leaves with the States, as
heretofore, the regulation of the
elective franchise, tits equally true
that it encourages the enfranchise-
ment of all loyal male citizens of
whatever color. Our own State,
for instance, under the operations
of the amendment, without the en-
reimbursement of the colored citi-
zens, will have but six representa-
tives, while, with impartial loyal
suffrage, it is estimated that she
would have nine, thus increasing
her power in the councils of the
nation fifty per cent.
In my message addressed to you
in October, 1865, the subject OF
colored suffrage is discussed in all
of its bearings. Upon a careful
review of that paper, l still ap-
prove the sentiments therein ex-
pressed, and respectfully refer you
to them.
An eventful year, however, has
passed since it was written; and
while unforeseen events have hap
pened, contingencies therein con-
templated have also occurred.
The colored race have shown
greater aptitude for learning and
intelligence than was expected,
and by their good conduct and
steadfast loyalty have rapidly won
upon the good opinion and respect
OF the white race; while the late
rebels, under the encouragement
of the President, have shown less
disposition to return to true loyal
ty than was hoped for.
These manifestations have oc-
casioned a rapid advancement of
the national sentiment in favor of |
impartial suffrage. In the message
to which / have alluded, while
candidly admitting that "negro vo-
ting cannot suit my natural preju-
dices of caste" it is yet stated that
"there is a class of them | would
be willing to see vote at once"
The opinion is also expressed
"that negro suffrage is bound to
follow as one of the great results
of the rebellion; and that the time
would come when itwould be prop
er and right" but that the time
had not then come, the great OBJ
lection being to the immediate
and indiscriminate enfranchise-
ment of the negroes; but it is d.
rectly insisted in the message to
which / refer, that eff rebels are
restored to the rights of the elect
i've franchise, let us no longer de-
ny those political rights to the
slaves who have been faithful
among the faithless." / still ad-
here to the opinion that sail this
great outcry against a negro voting