Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-11-27
Ally Gators Letter.

past week.
In common with number Of the loyal
Legislators Of our country, i have felt
that something ought TO be done to pro
tect them, in the event that there might
be something in the incendiary resolution
Of Senator Cate in regard to our patriotic
and loyal speaker.
When the glorious Legislature OF Ten
nessee expelled onethird OF their own
members and brought enough OF the bal
ance to make quorum, by force OF arms,
into the capitol, In order 10 ratify the l4ih
constitutional amendment, they never
intended 10 dsqualiiy any Of their own
members from holding any more Offices
don't suppose any man is disloyal
enough to doubt that
But the narrowing question having
been raised by Stokes, Cate a Co, has
proved thorn in the sides Of number
of worthy and extremely loyal gentle
men in the law making business, and not
oil the whisky of Robertson county can
wash the sting away.
Nay, more, the disloyal Inhabitants Of
the State consider it good joke on the
Legislature, and laugh them TO scorn IN
their agonized writings.
Such being the case, il was evident that
something had to be done, and Of course
/ was appointed to help them out OF their
dilemma.
| told them it was the easiest thing in
the world.
All they had to do was to get up pc.
tition to Congress reciting the facts, ana
their sufferings in the cause OF loyalty,
and had no doubt that the magnanimity
which had forgiven Stokes and Butler
would embrace, with the arms of mercy,
such eminent servants of true LOYALTY as
the authors of the Tennessee ku-klux
and Militia bills.
They then sent n delegation request
ing me to draw up petition to Congress
embracing resolution Of the character
which they desired passed, and l cheer
fully complied.
Here is the resolution:
"WHEREAs, 1t appears in the lights
now before us, that many members OF the
Tennessee Legislature, in adopting the
amendment to the Constitution OF the
United States, commonly known as ar
ticle XIV, have placed themselves in the
unhappy condition of the man who
sawed of the limb of the tree be was
trimming, between himself and the trunk,
and are now lying in most uncomforta-
ble position with their heels in the air,
80 to speak, and their bodies lacerated
by the thorns of disloyalty; and
WHEREAS, In ratifyiDg this amend
ment they never intended, and did not
for moment think it possible to deprive
themselves of the right to hold office; and
"WHEREAs, 1t is impossible for them
to hold any more of the Offices for the ex-
press purpose of holding, which they
have. at great expense and much labor,
40 amended the laws and constitution OF
the State of Tennessee, that none others
but themselves, and those equally loyal
TO the great principles of Repubiicanism,
as declared and understood by Governor
Brownlow, and that departed saint, the
late Thaddeus Stevens, except that Con-
gress shall kindly extend helping hand,
and remove their self-imposed disabilities;
and
"WHEREAs, The interests of loyalty
plainly demand that such a course should
be adopted by Congress in order that
others may go and do likewise; now,
therefore,
"Be ii enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives OF the United
States in Congress assembled, ttco- thirds
of each House concurring, That the po-
litical disabilities imposed by the XIV
article of amendment to the Constitution
of the United States, upon the Tennes-
see Legislature, and their Representa-
tivcs in Congress, of the State OF len
nessee, aud also upon all the qualified
voters of that State, who, at the recent
Presidential election, voted for General
Grant for President Of the United States,
and can prove the fact by two competent
witnesses, be and the same are hereby
removed"
This was eminently satisfactory, and
will be offered by Mr.. R. r. Butler imme-
diately upon the assembling of Con-
gress. e.'~a
He may have to delay it few days,
because General Stokes is likely to OPP
pose it, in order to have Senter out OF
the way next August, but it will be
We had grand loyal jubilee over the
result of the election, Thursday night,
upon which occasion the true doctrine of
the loyal men of Tennessee in regard to
the franchise was correctly and elo-
ouently stated by Judge Harrison.
We have to consider whether it is best
TO establish the doctrine of equality
before the law, and give up our offices, or
hold on to the present satisfactory ar
rangement
The loyal man that would take two
minutes to decide that question is a
bigger fool than Thompsons colt
Having got good thing We propose to
hold on to it, and not allsw ourselves to
he blinded to our own interests by what
Old Proc very appropriately terms
weak effusion of foolish magnanimity,
or words to that effect.
When the loyal men of Tennessee en-
franchise any man who will not pre-
viously agree to vote their ticket. the days
OF loyal supremacy are ended, and we
know it,
We had our election for Secretary of
State to-day, and it resulted in glorious
triumph of the native ire-tried loyalists
over the carpet-bag interlopers who say
we cannot be trusted.
A. ]. Fletcher was triumphantly re-
elected.
Iregret to say that the Legislature in
this respect disregarded the wishes Of
Old Proc, as they are doing in many
other minor points.
The are going to pass an act to COM
pei him to order an election for judges.
This is very disrespectful to the old
man, but the Legislature thinks that be
is going out Of Office soon, and be ought
70 be willing 10 let them run the machine
a little, so as to get their hands 10.
I did not get elected State printer, bat
Captain George Edgar Grisham did, who
i elc,ost az loval a man as | am.