Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-17

aohemes OF personal aggrandlzement,
and that this race will readily surrender
itself TO the acts and lntrigues OF eucn
designing knayes as will Halter their
vanity, and encourage them in jealous
hate Of the white inhabitants OF the
State.
The drilled phalanx of colored dele
gates in the Convention with one hon
orable exception), moving as subser-
vieutly at the beck OF their managers as
ever slaves did at the command OF g
master, renders argument upon this
point unnecessary. The subseryience oil
government framed on this Constitu,
ton TO the more ignorant class, may Wen
be argued, iroms the subseryience aus
played toward them by the Convention
B6y~ The principles we advocate de-
pend upon no man. These are immut-
able and eternal, but when public
officer, in his position, regardless alike
of the menaees of conspirators and
traitors on the one hand, and Of cowardly
tine.servers on the other, raises bis
voice on behalf of those principles and
gives us so clear an exposition of them
as President johnson has given in the
admirable state paper alluded to, tits
solemn obligation, as well as a positive
public duty, to support and applaud
him.
This message correctly reflects the will
Of the people, as expressed at the ballot
box in the recent elections. Mr. JOHN
son conceiving that he is the servant OF
the people, and not their master, makes
haste to execute their behests, and &C
cordingly we have him declaring in
phrases shat cannot possibly be miscon-
ceiyed or Misunderstood
That the Union and the Constitution
are inseparable. If one is destroyed,
the other cannot survive.
That to repeal the Constitution is to
dissolve the Union.
That the defeat of the Southern Con-
federacy on the battle field vas not the
triumph of lawless principles.
That the military reconstruction bill,
in all its details, is fragrant violation of
the Constitution.
That the military despotisns created
by that bill exist by no powers derived
from that instrument
That, therefore, tina: bill and these
are usurpations and crimes
against public liberty and private right
That in seeking to place the white at
the mercy Of the ignorant black race,
they contemplate a crime likewise
against civilization.
That the negro has never shown any
capacity for selfgovernment, and is
utterly disqualified for taking part in the
of institutions like ours
That these military despotisms-the
spawn of the military reconstruction bill
are costing the labor and industry of
the country two hundred millions OF
dollars per annum to maintain.
That this sum, worse than thrown
away, would, if properly used, form a
sinking fund large enough to pay the
whole national debt in less than fifteen |
years.
That from these, and all such enact
the business interests of the
demand immediate relief
That the Southern country = the
richest in natural resources that the
world ever eaw--is worse than lost if not
soon placed under the protection of
rec constitution.
That the recent elections are an admo'
iition to Congress to retrace its steps,
md demonstration that the affections
If this generation cannot be detached
rom the institutions of their ancestors.
That, in regard to any unconstitutional
ttempt on the part of Congress to usurp
be functions of the Executive, the Pres
dent will stand upon his rights, regard.
ess of consequences. - Metropolitan
Record