The weekly loyal Georgian., 1867-08-10

4
| Government to see how each voted.
The question is not whether we will
allow the freedmen to vote. That is
already established beyond revocation.
He is already registered, and the army
stands at his back to see that he is not
deprived Of this right conferred by
Congress. When they have once ex-
ercised this right, who is SO blind
as not to see that we cannot take it
from them without war of races.
Having once exercised it they will
fight for it, or continue to exercise it;
and they will have the sympathy and
support of large majority Of the
| people Of the North.
It's not wise to deceive ourselves on
this point. Universal manhood suffrage
is fixed fact, however much we may
deplore it. The whole question, then,
is in nutshell 1t is not whether the
freedmen shall vote, but it is how many
of the white men shall vote? 1t may be
said this will fasten negro government
upon us, and we shall, therefore, vote
down the Convention to avoid it. How
does this help US! If we vote for u
Convention, about nine tenths OF the
white men of Georgia will still be
voters Ii we vote down the Conven-
ton Congress will extend the distran
chisement till probably not exceeding
one tenth will be voters. Which will
be the worst government for US, that
in. which nine tenths of our own race
retain the right to vote or that IN
which only one tenth have that right?
Take Tennessee as an instance. Her
government was set up before the war
ended and by her Constitution none but
test-oath men, and few other favorites
of the powers that then ruled her, are
allowed to vote. Of about 10000
white citizens, only little over 10000
are voters. How gladly would the
white people Of Tennessee accept the
| terms rendered to us by the Military
Bills, which would put the ballot box
into the hands of nine tenths of the
white men, when, at present, about one
seventh are voters. What sensible man
desires TO exchange position with them
And still Mr.. Hill aud other leaders
advocate mad policy that must, if
successful, place Georgia in a worse
condition than Tennessee now occupies
as our rejection Of the terms will cause
the disfranchisement of probably
larger proportion of our white people
than the proportion now dislranchised
in Tennessee.
1t was with view Of doing all in my
power to save our people from this
alternative that | took position in
advance for the acceptance, in good
taith, Of the terms prescribed by Con
gress. very well knew the advantage
which All unscrupulous opponent would
have by appeals to the passions and
prejudices of our people who have just
passed through the war, with but little
time for reason to resume its control
| was we'll aware Of the ease with
which the wounds could be reopened
by inhammatory appeals and dcnun-
Citations. The detraction and abuse
which have been heaped upon me was
not unexpected. But whatever may
have been our errors in the past,
entertain no doubt that our best interest
i'll the future requires the prompt ac-
ceptance of the plan dictated by the
conqueror. Having taken my posi-
ton in favor OF the acceptance Of the
terms, after mature consideration
deSpising the vile s!anderer whose
delight is de.raction and abuse, and
defying the surging, resistless tide
Of passions and prejndircs which
: designing men arc attempting to lash
, into fury fer selfish ends, | shall stand
/ immovably by my position. And
, warn the people to beware how they
subordinate their reason to their prciu-
dices, which, if persisted in, will bring
utter ruin upon themselves and their
children. If you vote down the Com
: yention, preferring military governs
t ment, how long may it be before
: Congress will direct the military com
t mander to assess Il tax upon you, In
f addition to your present burdens, to
Y support this military government, which
+ seems ut present to command your
i. admiration What guarantee have
s you that General pOpy, who has shown
0 himself wise, humane ruler, possess
|, ing the qualities Of the statesman as
& well as the General. will be continued
ii as your commander? lie may die, OF
: bo called to some other field of labor,
h and his successor may be destitute Of
0 the high qualities of head and hear.
g possessed by him.
a But, however this may be, mark it
be not deceived. If Yoa vote down the
al
3 Georgia will b8 reconstructed with a
b representation in Congress the great
: mass Of white men in Georgia, including
n all who vote against the Convention
q will be disfranchised and there will be
it a general cohfscation of property to
pay the war debt and pension Of the
Union soldiers who were disabled in the
q war. Tell me not that this will be no
f worse than the present state of things
e 1t will be infinitely worse than every
d candid man, controlled By reason and
!. common sense, is obliged to admit.
e 1t is no escape To- say, rs Mr. Hill
n and Others have said, that Congrcs>
# has no power to pass contiscation act
y after the war is over, or that confsca
/, ton is a war measure only There Il
/. an act now on the statute book, passed
i Ill July, 1862, while the war wa
:. raging, that confscatcd almost the
d entire property Of Georgia This act
t has never been repealed. Mr. Stey1n,
D arraigns The President for having failed
0 to execute it. Continue to show 4
+? rcbellious spirit, and it is only nece5-
e sary for Congress to pass resolution
e or act, directing that the property
Y already confscatod be seized, and
t instead Of it, appropriation BY til,
L President to the use Of the army, a,
y directed by the original act, that it b,
G applied i'll payment Of the war debt
e and to pension woun.icd soldiers, ant
e the work is dane,
If, it il said, as has been charged
II that my course is influenced by fear 0
It the coniiscatlon oi ms property,
If reply, as will every honest man Wit
d reads this, that | have no wish to los
] my property. But if confscation mus
u come can bear it as we'll as other
q can, | have a good profession b
d which | can make an ample support
Ie And this iSmorc than can be said B
'e thousands Of GeoEslans. The home Q