Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-14
gro which has agitated the country for


thirty years.
Emancipation is small evil compared
with that arising from the attempt, on the
part of Congress, to regulate the social,
civil, and political status OF the freedmen
In the several States. From habit, asso-
citation and interest, the feeling between
the two races was kind and friendly. 1t
would remain SO, but for the pragmatieal
interference of unprincipled adyenturers
who excite the passions of the blacks
against the whites for political purposes.
If the dominant party had been satisfied
with emancipation and left the relations
between the races to the normal action
of the principles Of assimilation and
growth which obtain, even in the mineral
and vegetable kingdoms, and are espe.
cially potent in their organization OF
communities, few years would have
brought adjustments mutually beneficial,
and the shock to labor, capital and soci-
ETY. would soon have ceased to be felt.
This was the path of duty and policy
clearly indicated by the character OF our
Joint system of government-State aud
Federal--and by sound philosophy and
statesm nship. But when the effort is
made to render them equal with the Cau-
casian race of the Southern States by
statutory enactment when they are
clothed suddenly with political rights
which they are too ignorant to understand
and wisely exercise; when, by disfran-
chisement of the white citizens, they are
placed numerically in the ascendancy so
as to control the formation and ratiiica-
ton of State constitutions and direct
legislation, it is folly to expect anything
but discomfort in the minds OF the white,
and insolence in the bosoms of the negro
population. This is the source of the in
stances of collision and violence which
occasionally occur in the South. But un-
der no aspect do we expect or desire the
re-establishment of slavery. Let me say
to the colored people and to rejecting
men all over the country, that, whether so
designated or not, the principles and
policy of the centralist, if permitted to
progress in the line of their legitimate
tendency, must make slaves OF US all,
white and black, must lead to despotism,
that will fatten upon the sweat OF toll,
wax insolent in the possession of con,
scious dominion, and WELD political
power to pamper and aggraudize its
minions If we wish to escape bondage,
and enjoy constitutional liberty, let us
all, black and white, support the princi-
Piles of the Democratic party. 1t is pre-.
tended that those who are loyal men and
Union men are not safe in the South
that they are liable to insult aud violence,
merely on account of their political
sentiments. This is totally untrue. That
those who flourish under these titles are
sometimes snubbed and not recognized
among gentlemen, is certainly true;
and lawless men, such as are found IN
all sections, occasionally maltreat them.
But / venture to say, that any man north
of the Potomac, whatever may be his
political opinions, can travel on foot
from Richmond to New Orleans without
m molestation, if he show by his inter
course that he is gentleman. The
truth is, we desire good men from any
and all sections to settle among us. Let
them come and bring their capital, capt.
tai, whether it consists of money, enter.
prise, muscle, or brains. We have land
abundant and cheap, natural resources
coal, timber, water power, iron and cop
DeI-uUlli1lltus u
peace-loving men of the North, East and
West, come, and be with us and OF us.
Well bid you welcome, and join our en-
ergies to develop those resources and
build up our prosperity, and quicken-if
Congress will permit-to its wouted step,
our march to glorious civilization.
Equally groundless is the imputation,
perpetuaily repeated, that we are dsloyal
to the flag, the Union and the Constiiu-
ton. The flag, as displayed among us
for three years, has been the sign OF op-
preston that indicated the headquarters
of freedmen's bureaus, or military sa-
traps, with their narrow prison cells or
sweat-boxes; or of military commissions
TO try civilians, imprisoned without war
rant and denied an impartial jury; the
Union as it is proffered to us, is not the
Union of equal States, but the unity OF
empire; and the Constitution, admins
tered by Congress, is the unwritten law OF
their own discretion. These we do not
love. But let the stars and stripes be un-
furled over us as the insignia and pledge
of proteetion aud justice; offer us the
Union of Washington and bis oompatriots
the Union of coequsl States; give us
the Constitution of i7s7, fairly and hon
estly administered and enforced, and
then the world shall see whether our
hearts are true TO these emblems, sym.
bols aud cauons Of liberty. Do this, and
IL we fail 10 respond to the call Of pa.
,rio,ic duty, at the sacrifice Of blood and
life if necessary, but not until then, may
we be stamped with the brand Of inf
deity to our country.