Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-20
. Resistance 20 Tyrants In obediencs
% God"

90 God"
The public sentiment does not seem
vet ripe for a State Convention in Ten
nes,ee. Some doubt and hesitate, and
action in that direction is postponed
But Il is for want of investigation, con-
sultation and discussion. The right as
affirmed is one Of the resolutions OF Sat
uraay's meeting is declared in the State
constitution, andis an inalienable and
indefeasible one even If il were not
Are we then laboring under no evils,
that we pretermit the exercise OF
sovereign right to redress them
Or are we threatened with the bayo-
net in Tennessee by the National
government five dare to exercise right
of a free people, as much belonging to
Tennessee as to New York; 1t so 1t
NAV be, and that at an early day, that
the power of the tsraat will be de,hroned
at washington, where it would be indeed
well to begin. The Louisville Courier
thus emphatically speaks out on this
subject:
Do the people of the United States
intend to remain passive while the ieii
scheme devised by the Radical con.
spirators is carried out Do they intend
10 remain quiet and sunk in apathy
while Congress forces the shackles
which are to bind themY DO they intend
TO offer no resistance to those who are
destroying their lihertiesY II 1t is not
their purpose thus slavishly to submit
Il they are worthy of that precious legacy
of freedom bequeathe6 to them by their
fa,hers-then we tell them that the time
has come when they must make known
their resolve. -,
We are aware that our words will prob.
ably be falsely construed by Radical
journalists as an attempt OF melting the
people to new rebellion, for 1t IS
mart of their tactics to raise hue and
cry against all~who offer active opposi-
tien to the diabolical conspiracy in
which they are engaged. 1t is no part OF
our intention to incite to rebellion
or urge to civil war. God knows the
country has had more than enough OF
civil war during the past few years: 1t
is precisely because we, would have
the people preserve their liberties
and avoid internecine strife, that we
would have them give at once
unmistakable manifestations of their de-
termination to resist Radical usurpation
at ali hazards and to the last extremity.
If Americans are deserving of freedom,
even civil war with all its horrors would
be preferred by them to the despotism
with which the Radical conspirators are
preparing to supplant our republican
system. We believe that they are thus de-
serving. We feel assured that the same
fire which burned so brightly in the
hearts of the sires is yet smoldering in the
bosoms of the sons, and that that fire will
hurst into fierce and consuming flame
if the time shall ever come when the
Radical leaders, omboldened by apparent
acouiescence, attempt to put the finish
ing stroke to their traitorous work. The
inauguration of man preferred to Office
by usurpation in lieu of a President
legally chosen by the constitutional cleo
tors of the United States can never take
place. There may be few signs OF what
is coming till such time as the consplra-
tors attempt to place over the people one
whose claim is founded in the support
of negroes and the ruling out OF the
votes of white citizens, but then, if not
until then, a torrent as resistless and
consuming as the sudden eruption from
the sleeping volcano will burst upon
them. =,
All this we would if possible avoid.
We would have the Radical leaders re-
alize the futility Of their scheme ere 1t is
too late. We would have them under
stand that the success of their scheme
to deprive the people of their liberties,
and establish Capitalization and despot-
ism. is impossible. We would have them
know that the people of the United
States, or an overwhelming majority OF
them. are resolved to continue to speak
for liberty, TO vote for its preservation,
ave. and if need be, to fight for it. Thus,
perhaps. they may be induced TO abandon
the conspiracy, and avoid bloodshed and
civil war.
There should no longer be hesitation
with any of the friends of constitutional
liberty to declare their purpose OF re-
sisting to the last extremity the subver-
sion Of the Government contemplated by
the Radicals. Let them speak their
intentions boldly as patriots and freemen
should speak, and perhaps the consplra'
tors may be warned before they have
taken the fatal step, No time is to be
lost. Already Congress has set the Con-
stitut;on at defiance. Already it has
destroyed legitimate governments in ten
States, and is about to admit those
States. under negro constitutions, IN
order that their electoral votes may be
counted for the Radical presidential can.
didate. Already it has usurped much OF
the power of the President and the judi
ciary, and is preparing to usurp the rest;
Already it is proposed to give the General
of the army, who is also the Radical presi'
Dental candidate, dictatorial power over
the South ana over the Democratic
States that his success may be secured
by the strong arm. 1t is evident what
all this tends to. Let those who love lib
erty and the old government be no longer
silent.
The negro Convention Of Georgia has
decided against a proposition requiring
common carriers TO provide equal accom-