Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-02
THE FRANCHISE.

| Mr.. LeliYett opposed the passage OF the
bill. He argued 10 show that tie measure
was wrong in policy and unjust in
| principle The negroes were found in the
| African wilds in a state of besotted igno-
| rance, and 20 far a. refinement and knowl
| edge was concerned, little above the bGutes,
and ali Of the light of intelligence that ever
beamed upon their minds was the result of
| the superior influence exerted over them
by the white man. He could not see that
their condition had been benefited by the
! new state ofthings They were not quail
| fed for the exercise of the. ballot-bot box.
Give TO the negroes, usedto the plantations
and fields Of the South, the franchise, and you
al once subject them and their votes to the
superior intelligence and influence Of the
white population, their former owners,
those with whom they have been
accustomed 10 agree-the sessionists if
You please. Even white men were
subjected to such influences. Then
why not the negro2 Give them the fran
chise and they can be controlled by design
ing men Of INSCRIPTIONS aspirations. He
had taken the oath as a Representative, and
had taken it with solemnity. He should
vote in accordance with the dictates of con-
science without regard to popular feeling
A good deal had been said about conspiracy
He knew nothing about that. He had been
ia neither caucus nor conclave. But sup
pose there had been, and they had sent out
emmissaries from Massachusetts, or else
where. Would it be expected that a men,
Der should go against his convictions Of
duty "A little leven leyeneth the whole"
He read the following extract from Gov.
BroWnloW's message.
| think that negro suffrage is bound to
follow as one of the great results Of the re-
bellion that the time will come when it
will be proper and right but that the time
has not vet come when the ballot-box
should be turned over to the emancipated
slaves Of this State, and the thousands who
would rush into Tennessee from the Cotton
States on this account / am
free to admit that for the present, we have
done enough for the negro, and although
negro voting cannot suit my natural preju-
dices Of caste, there is a class Of them |
would he willing 10 see vote at once. A
large class ignorant, doCile, easily led by
designing men, and not safely trusted with
political power, ! am not willing TO see at
the ballot box but As even these have been
faithful among the faithless, if rebels are to
be restored 10 the elective franchise, ] would
say let usno longer deny these political rights
to the slaves, In my Judgment loyal negro
is more eminently entitled TO suffrage than
a disloysl white man. Certain il is that
the majority in Congress has no right 20
expect the Southern States, recently in re-
bellion, 70 DO that for the colored popula-
ton Of the South which the people OF the
Nth h., -..e.-,gN - u. Il.
Gated class Of free culored men in their
own midst. And, being satisfied that the
immediate and indiscriminate extension Of
the franchise to the negroes will net prove
a. beneficial as many suppose, l cannot
recommend the msasuTe for yonr adoption
l think it would be bad policy, as well
as wrong in principle 60 open the bal
los-box 10 the uninformed aud exceedingly
stupid slaves Of the Southern cotton, rice
aud sugar fields Ii allowed 10 vote the
great majority OF them could be Influenced
BY leading secessiOnists TO vote against the
government, as they would be largely un-
der the infueace Of this class Of men for
years 90 come, having TO reside on and cui-
tivate their lands"
ID was Questionable IS 10 the power Of
the convention or the legislature to control
this matter. Bui they say the act must be
done. Gentlemen have argued that it
could be legally done suppose that such
power existed, then there vas no reserva-
ton whatever He read from the act of
1865
To DO justice and render persons Of AZ
riCan and Indian descent competent wit
nesses ia the courts OF the state OF Ten
nessee. as ioiloWs:
Provided, however, that this act shall
DOT he 50 construed as 10 give colored per
sons the right % vote hold office OF SIT on
iures in this State
And that this provision Is inserted by
virtue OF the 9la section Of the amended
constitution, ratified February %, 1886.
Tie never had seen the dsy when he was
unwilling 30 support the constitution and
the laws Of his country. He was not
guided BY other meas opinions or the news
from Washington or other quarters. There
vas some reason ia receiving for guidance
views from constituents, none from else
where Your fate, said he, Is 20 be my
fate he did Dot believe that those who
did not know how % vote should have the
privilege.