The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1867-07-19

vision such a force. But in fact be dares
not raise them until after the election. The
good sense and better feelings Of even
portion of his own supporters is already
SO greatly shocked at the barbarities of
his militia, that he will not likely dare to
increase their number, even if it should
lie within his power. Tho people look up
on these outIages more in anger than in
fear. But, if the full quota ofeight thous-
and outlaws xere quartered upon this once
free people, we should be unworthy our
former honor to permit them to control the
result of the coming election. 0ne hun
dred and fifty thousand men aroused to
struggle for their liberties and unused to
submit to oppression, cannot be held in
subiugation by such force.
Notwithstanding the wicked maohina-
lions of those who have organized loyal
leagues throughout the State, the colored
peopls can be induced to to vote the Con-
servative ticket, if the mass of the people
viii interest themselves actively to instruct
them as to their duty and interest in this
regard They will readily understand that
the 'leagues" will not support them, and
that the Radicals will not.be 46le or willing
to give them employment at wages, or to
feed and clothe them. and give them shell
ter. They may soon be taught that their
interest lies in living in harmony With the
white people in their midst. Much has
been done already in that way, wherever
the effort has been made, and there can be
no doubt of success if our yeople viii
make but half the effort the importance of
the case calls for.
In this trial, fellow-citizens, let us act
like men. Let US not forget our former
freedom. Let us not so soon forget our
former honor. 1t was a grave error to
break down the barriers of the constitu-
ton erected by the wisdom of our fathers,
which stood between the people and the ar
bitrary power of those who would oppress
them. Many of you participate in that
error. And now, when you see some of
US who have not been compromised by the
untoward events of the last four years,
straining every nerve in the effort to re-
store to you your dearest rights, viii you
lie idle, with your arms folded, submissive
30 the hateful domination Of the oppressor Z?
II memory 81 the past, let it not be so -
If each one of you who is disfrancnised
will use every exertiou to secure one vote
for the Conservative ticket, of couIse the
result cannot be doubtful. II each one Of
you win make the EFFORT, the result is
certain. Many of you can secure many
votes. Win ali the votes in your power
Induce those within your influence to with
draw from their reasonable leagues. II
they continue in such associations it must
work their ruin. We owe il to these poor
people, who were once our servants TO res
cue them from the Wiles of the unprinci-
pied adVentuTers who are now seeking TO
ruin the colored man for their own selfish
purposes.
No time islto be lest. Perfect your or
ganizations in every neighborhood Have
your barbeeues and public speakings. but
above all things, see that the right voters
be registered, and that they vote, and vote
right, on election day. Obey the laws.
unjust and oppressive as they are and
see that your opponents obey them. Go
to the polls on election day, and see that
elections are held and watch that they
| are held fairly, and the result reported tru-
! ly. Let those who cast vote to continue
the enslavement of their fellow citizens, be
noted and let them know that hereafter
they shall ''be to you as heathen men and
publicans." Where the issues between
political parties involve only reasonable diff
ferences of opinion, we condemn proerip-
ton for opinions sake but Radicalism
has branded you as infamous, as on par
with him who has been convicted of rob
berry, or theft. or burglary or arson. He
who votes to sustain Radicalism, casts a
stigma upon your honor and has no right
to expect any thing else than your honest
and honorable ennaity and indignation.
Within the last few days, correspon-
dence has been published, between two
agents of the Freedmen's Bureau, the in
tention Of which is to intimidate you in
the exercise Of your last remaining right
to employ whom you please to labor on
your farm, or in your woFkshoPs-to re-
quire you to feed, and clothe. and shelter
the men who will vote to deprive you OF
your inalienable rights. to strip you OF
your liberty and property. You are not
sufficiently humbled even yet, to tremble
at the petty threats Of insolent officials and
venal editors. The man who votes the
Radical ticket in this election, votes that
YOU shall never be allowed to vote-yotes that
Won shall be taxed without representation
ground down with taxation as only the IN
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