Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-03-27
PUBLIC LEDGER.
VOTE. OR BE RUINED.

The ten Estates lately in rebellion
are in a condition far better than that o.
Tennessee. There, the great masses may
register, vote, form new constitutions
and protect the privilege of suffrage. In
word, they may retain control OF these
States, and ultimately return to the
Union with rights identical with those
of the most favored States. 1t is not
thus with Tennessee. A few adventu'
rers seized upon the State at time when
the people did not enjoy an opportunity
ofvoting, and so arranged its machinery
"a to exclude them from the polls. The
constitution Of Brownlow & Co. invested
the first Legislature that should assem-
BILE after its ratification, with power to
arrange the franchise. That body has
arranged it with the last degree of
nicely. The people have never been in
a condition to help themselves. They
appealed to the Courts, but these tribu-
nails uroyed true to the Legislature and
TO the genius Of exclusion. Weare at the
end of our tether, unless we can lind
an escape through Constitutional Con-
vention. 1t is true that our Supreme
Court decides that sovereignty rests with
the people; but what class of peopleY
With the great majority who are distran-
chised, or with the enfranehised minor
ity2 If with the former, they can, upon
the recognized theory of the peoples
sovereignty, amend their Constitution
and thus protect themselves. If with the
latter, they have no redress. Every true
Tennesseean desires nothing so much as
the opportunity possessed by the ten
States lately in rebellion" of asserting
the sovereignty of the people. How
gladly, how joyfully would we all en-
brace an opportunity to register, to the
last man Within twelve months Brown
low, his Legislature, with all its out
rageous acts, would be swept away, and
the people of the State would stand forth
in the light of freedom.
The Southern States occupy position
that Tennesseeans crave. We have
tested the justice of Jacobins, and
drained to the dregs the poisoned chal-
ice they have held to our lips. With our
example before them, will the people OF
the South fail to take advantage of an
opportunity to escape its horrors Will
they lie down, or sit upright, or rock to
and fro in dignifed indifference, while a
few active, seepless spirits of mischief
fasten chains of slavery on their limbs ?
Heaven forbid Common sense forbid
Manhood forbid By action, founded
on the facts of situation there is no
power to alter or resist, the people Of the
South may save themselves. We do not
suggest that they accept the recent
legislation of Congress. They have no
power to do that. We do ask, that
they recognize it as binding, and
prepare TO turn it to the best possible ac-
count. All hope of relief from the
Courts is vain. If tomorrow the Su
preme Court Of the United States should
pronounce the Sherman bills uncon-
stitutional. the situation would not be
changed. That tribunal would be treated
with contempt by Congress, and the
military would still enforce them. Rec
ognizing them therefore as binding, the
people of the "ten States lately in rebel
lion" should proceed to register as
voters-register to the last man-and
vote, when the suspicious moment ar
rives. If they fail to do this, they will
be ruined. The fate of Tennessee will be
their fate. Why do not the presses of
the South speak out upon this matter
There is not moment to lose The
people Of the South must vote or be
ruined.