Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-26

solemn oath Is it to save the State
and preserve liberty2 This is not the i
object, but the purpose is as infamous
as the measure resorted TO to effect it.
You first propose TO abrogate your State
governments by authority OF the so
called Congress, mere conclave Of a
portion Of the members of that body. By
whom is this dictated The
principle that whoever forms
government should form it for
themselves as well as for others, is a
correct one; but the men who propose
this for US do not live in any Of the ten
States to be affected by their legislation.
It is not made to suit either black or
white, or any other class Of our people,
but to suit themselves, while they are not
affected by it; and if you act upon their
proposition, in a manner to suit your
selves, you will not be accepted by them;
nay, YOU violate the Constitution to
subvert the Government And by carry
ing out these measures you disiranchise
your own people. Suppose we concede,
for argument, that II is right TO enfran-
chise all the negroes; II this be right, by
what principle Of law or morals do we
disfranchise the white peopler 20,
but" you say, "the whites have been
rebels" Then they should all be dis
franchised and not part of them.
Besides, the governmentyou are TO frame
is to be civil government, and last for
all time, and for peace, when there can
be no rebels. see it stated that Gen.
Sickles has advised that the disfran-
chising feature be repealed or modified,
aud for the reason that the enfranchised
class ore not fit to FIJI the Offices. Well,
if he has done so, he has acted wisely,
| and has shown himself capable of appre-
ciating one truth. And it is great
truth-one that will hide q multitude OF
sins; and il might be well for his fame if
this recommendation alone could be re-
membered of his administration. In the
face of the fact that republican gov
ernment can rest upon and be perpetu
ated only by the virtue and intelligence
of the people, you propose to exclude
the most intelligent from participating
in the Government forever
You will by these measures inaugurate
q war Of races A people who will
abrogate their own government and dis
franchise the most Intelligent OF them at
the dictation of those who are not to be
affected thereby, and live under the die
tation of foreign power, have no con-
science but if you have a conscience !
hope to reach it. By all you hold dear
| warn you that by accepting these mill
tary bills you inaugurate measure that
will exterminate the African race. Some
of YOU who have come among us are
taking the negro by the arm-telling
him that you are his friend, and that you
gave him his liberty Ye hypecritos
Ye whited sepulchers Ye mean in
your hearts to deceive and buy up the
negro vote for your own benefit lap
plause.] The negroes know no better
But would ask them: If these men are
1 faithless to the Constitution of the conn
try how can they be faithful to your Yet
these men admit in the very act that
they are disregarding the Constitu-
ton They take an oath to support
it with the purpose and intent formed
before hand to violate it, and vote for
measures contrary to it. They are not
fit TO be trusted by any animal, dog or
man. Applause. Such a man would
betray his pointer, and such woman
sell her poodle. They are not capable
of Icing the friends of anybody but them
selves / don't pity the whites 80 much
who are to suffer by these measures;
"You knew your duty and did 1t not,
and if you are beaten with many stripes
we have the, authority of scripture Tor
saying that your punishment is just; but
to see the Africans led off by 0 clap-trap
which they don't understand, and used
because they don't understand it, and
thus led to the slaughter by men who are
faithless to every principle-under the
belief that they are being elevated and
exercising God given rights-is enough
to make any man feel sick at heart, and
experience the deepest pity for the unfor'
tunate race.
This is not the first time that such
things have been attempted. UDfortu-
nateIy, there have before been both fools
and knaves in the world, and some oil
you, it would seem, will not learn wis
dom from the lessons of the past. II
the Constitution is dead, we are outside
of it, and, pray what government have
we We have nothing, in that case, but
the will of an unlawful couclave, and
don't YOU know this means only anarchy
and then despotism and tyranny What
inducement is held out to you to accept
their propositions1 You say il is to gel
back into the Union and for this you
nre willing to submit to disfranchise'
ment and the inauguration Of q policy
that tends to war of races all TO gel
back into the Union-just where you srE
already, and always were
What do you want to get back into thA
sort of Union for7 If you are not now
in it, what can you expect by getting IL
,, such as they present to you You say
8 it is to get representation in the Union
i, Is not Kentucky in the UnionY Hal
! she any representation 2 The telegraph
informs US that a resolution has beer
introduced into the socalled Congress
making inquiries whether Maryland
Delaware aud Kentucky have State gov
ernments or not Are you SO stupid as
not to see what all this means2 The
result will be the substitution OF the
Radical party for all governments, bott
7 State and Federal; aud the substitution
I of Radical tCiH for all law Take tina
home with you and digest it That
! where you are going Kentucky Is ex
cluded from representation because 1t Il
! alleged her representatives were voted
for by disloyal men. What is meant BY
disloyali Every man who does not sup
port the Radical party will soon be de.
. clared disloyal aud every State whicl
does not vote the Radical ticket will b,
disloyal, and her government illegal
tell you, unless patriotism shall wak'
M from the stun which the herrid con
I, fusion Of the war has given it, the Rsdi
cal party will be our only government
/ and Radicalism will be our only law.