Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-10

J heartily rejoice to see that happy, era
when an insult or injury 10 the humblesl
individual wonld be regarded asa wrong
done to the whole community.
While we earnestly desire all this, and
| will heartily cooperate with all good
meuNo bring about this happy state OF
society. we cannot shut our eyes to the
alarming fact that such is the state OF
feeling between the disfranchised white
} men and the insolent, dominant black
race in Middle and West Tennessee, as
fearfnlly TO betoken bloody interneeine
war, frightfal and appalling IN ITS cnars
acter and consequences, which, IN Us IN
ceptiou, may, like the prophets cloud,
be no longer than mans hand, yet wili
soon loom up in blackened horror ana
deluce the land with blood. From such
calamity. may God, in bis mercy, shield
and deliver us.
| Impressed With these views, We feel that
an organization Of the State militia would
moi only add TO the burdens OF taxation,
already too grievious, but intensity the
hostility Of feeling existing between the
races, and tend to precipitate the dread
full issue we cannot contemplate but with
borror-an issue which every motive that
control prudent men induces us to avoid,
but which iujustice.t to our nature, TO the
| love we bear our race, and for our wives
and little ones, cannot be done by cow
ardice or dishonor therefore It Is
Resolred, That we respectfully sub
nit to His Excellency, W. g. Brownlow,
Governor Of the State OF Tennessee,
these, our views aud feelings, with the
request that he recommend to the consid-
GRAFTON of the General Assembly Of the
State. soon to assemble in extra session
under hts proclamation, the impsrt-
ance. as an act OF magnaninity and
Justice. as well as of peace and
order, the eufrsnchisement Of all persons
now laboring under political disabilities.
To the end that, as united people with
equal law, We shall feel that for each and
ali there is but one government whose |
credit is our credit, whose prosperity is |
our prosperity, and whose future is our |
future, and that our native Tennessee is
the home Of us and our generations for
ever. |
2. That it be also submitted to the
Governor that, in our opinion, a call OF
the militia is unnecessary to the enforce
ment of laws; on the contrary, wise, i'm
martial legislation will best promote the
security and peace of the whole commu-
nifty.
Mr.. Garner entered his solemn protest
gainst any countenance being given to
{ ie memorial. he thought it an insult
TO the Legislature and the loyal people. |
Mr.. Smith said there were two or three
direct threats in the memorial. They |
say when you will enfranchise us, or in
other words, when you turn over the
Government to us, then, and then only,
will we have peace,
Mr.. Nelson did nst consider it a
petition-he regarded it as a fiery stump
speech
Mr.. Wisener drought it respectful to
them TO receive the petition; although it
was not couched in respectful language,
vet he was willing to overlook that, and
was willing for it to be referred to q COM
mittee to be reported upon. But if you
let it 90 without consideration, it will
only add fuel to the FIRE. He was not
willing to vote for it withouta signature,
and did not know whether it would be
to the Governor to reject il.
On motion OF Mr.. Mathews, it was laid
Oh the table.
In the House. Mr.. Dyer introduced q
bill to be entitled An act to amend an
act passed March l6, 1868, to organize
and equip the State Guard, and regulate
the Governors stat" r,rat
Ssorroy /. Be ii enacted BY the Cen
.ral Assembly ofthe State Of Tennessee,
That the act passed March l6, 1868, be
so amended as to give the Governor full
power to increase his clericalforce when
ever there are State Guards in actual
service, TO such numbers as the absolute
necessities Of the service may require, to
execute all orders and perform such SER
vices as the Governor may assign them.
SEC. 2. BE ii further enacted, That
The Governor and the Board Of Finance
Of the State shall have control of 50
much of the finances Of the State as may
be necessary to meet all the expenses
incurred in calling out, organizing,
equipping and paying the State Guards,
under the act 10 which this is amenda-
tory. Ltaa
SEC. 3. Be II further enacted, That
the militia or State guards called out
under the provisions of the act to which
this is amendatory, when mustered out of
The service Of the State, shall not be held
liable to indictment or presentment or
any suits for damages for any acts done
under orders or in the line of duty.
SEC. 4. Be 1t further enacted, That all
laws or parts of laws in conflict with the
provisions Of this act be, and they are
hereby repealed; and that the act shall
be in force from and after its passage.
The bill passed it's FIRST reading. and
was referred 10 the Committee on Mill
larry Affairs. II
NAsHvILLE, August TN the House
Mr.. Prosser, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported the following
bill, with the recommendation that IT be
adopted in lieu Of all others which had
been referred TO the committee:
An ACT to enforce the laws of the State.
WHEREAS, There exist in this State
lawless bands and desperadoes who are
setting at defiance civil lay, and BY
their threats and acts Of violence are
forcing many Of our citizens to leave
their homes, and
WHEREAS, In certain localities IL is
entirely impossible for civil officers of the
State 70 enforce the lava, In order that
the supremacy Of the law may be main
tanned, and that peace and order may
prevail, therefore
SECTION l. Be u enacted By The Cen
eral Assembly offhe State Of Tennessee,
That the Governor Of the State is hereby
authorised and empowered, when he shall
deem il necessary, to organize, equip,
and call into active service q volunteer
force, 70 be known as the Tennessee