Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-14

Convention intervening, tney nave STEP
ever since. They we're substantial,
these: frat, thatis the event Of The sue
c.,ss of the DemocrAtio party, tho white
mans government' principle would b
mai utained, and tie blacks excludes
from voting, holding Office, or acting q
Jurors second. that to life. liberty ant
property, and oil acts Of friendship ans
kindness, without reference to how an,
might have voted in the election, thu
| Democrats of shoIby county gave th'
solemn guarantee that from the freedmer
nothing should be withheld in our power
to do them good.
Aud, now, after the maturest reflection
and observation of results, We are only
the more convinced that those resolu'
tons embodied the true and sound policy
and that their passage would have even
tuated we'll. We can only excuse the
fact of not calling them up, BY what We
have reason now to regret, an over
anxious desire for unanimity, not often
to be expected from deliberative bodies
They would have accomplished the first
and great desideratum, and have won
confidence ct once and completely. Az
to the suffrage and Office, the freedmen
scoald hare knopn we told them the
truth, out and out sincerely and can
didly. So far it was impossible they
should have doubted. And next, when
we had thus won by frankness the con-
6dence which was our due, they would
have believed we would do, as to all the
rest, all that we ever promised, as when
we had made promises before, their ex-
perience has taught them we always had
done. This, in our view, would have
made the desired result and effect COM
plete, to all the extent it was practicable
to accomplish it. For il is physical comfort
with freedom assured, kindness from the
whites, aud an opportunity for property,
culture, and the happiness and success
in life common to all under good govern.
ment which the negro desires, and with
which the leading minds among them
would advise that they should be content
with the assurance. 1t 10 not to vote
that they care-butto be assured Of their
permanent freedom, with the privileges
and advantages which result from it.
They would be satisfied with such an
assurance, for they see thousands around
them in every State-foreigners, minors,
stc.--who do not vote, and that their own
race, where it is assured Of freedom, as
in the Northern States, is careless of the
franchise. They are fully aware that
they know not how to vote 40 as to be
most certain to subserve their own true
interests. Office is no lure to them,
which their own Radical white leaders
will always monopolize; and it is not the
vote they seek, though falsely told there
is anything in that to secure their free
dom, but to be assured they are free, and
to be able, under benign government,
to enjoy all the blessings of freedom. 1t
is not to govern, to which, in their igno-
rance how to govern, they aspire, but to
be forever assured against individual and
personal oppression, and that in all other
respects they may share with others the
blessings of government. This given,
with time fully to effect it, and impress
the truth that'itis better for all concerned
that intelligence should govern q country,
and the negro race will be won to its own
interest and duty, to all the extent any
policy will ever render it possible to win it.
AID now, not because we wish to OPP
pose the views of any, if with any they
are really in conflict, but because we be-
Heve the policy we have suggested
essential, and believe it will be effective
for good, if against all the misrepresen-
tations with which the Radical leaders
have imbued the minds of the negroes
any can, we renew the consideration of
this subject. We believe it has become
necessary to begin at the beginning. The
infamous lie that any white man desires,
intends, or would have slavery
back again on any conditions, has
to be met and overcome, If we
would have the least influence with the
African race, obtain their confidence,
and secure their corporation in the
votes, which not even the bayonet gives
them the right to cast. Do this, and we
believe something at least will be done
towards bringing them to see that they
have an interest in common with us, and
to secure friendship and good conduct
which can never be done without it And
for that purpose we tell them emphati-
cally that the above mentioned rssolu-
lions embody the feeling and sentiment
Of the Southern people, and that they
will be carried out to the letter. when
ever the Democratic party comes into
power, be it sooner or later. Wetell them
that the idea of the white mans govern
ment" is the foundation stone OF the
present Democratic party. II is en-
bodied in its National platform, and in
the platform of the State, BY which oil
Democrats are bound. Some there are
who have thought best at the Brownsville
Convention to promise them a vote on
a certain condition. But that is
not the voice of the nation, Of the State,