Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-07
EFFORTS FOR PACIFIOATION.
The following is from the proceedings
of the Legislature on Tuesday:

of the Legislature on Tuesday:
Mr.. Prosser presented the memorial
recently adopted at the conference o.,
Confederate Generals. He remarked
that the memorial deserved the best con-
sideration that could be given by the
House. 1t came from men who, when
the war of giants was going on between
the North and South, were no pigmies
The Military Committee felt, however,
that they had duty to perform, and
that the Governor should be clothed with
full authority and furnished with all the
| means necessary to put stop to the out
RACES now being daily committed. he
moved that the memorial be referred to
the Committee on Military Affairs. Car
ried.
Mr.. Kercheval stated thafn delegation,
headed by Judge Shackelford, Governor
Foote and other distinguished citizens
were without the hall, and moved that
they be invited within the bar.
Mr.. Woodcock inquired as to the OBJ.
iect of their coming, and whether the
House could while in session have any
conference with those not properly COM
| missioned as officers of State Govern
ment.
The Speaker said that the matter rested
with the House, whether to receive the
delegation or not.
Mr.. Kercheval intimated that the OBJ
| iect of the visit was to present memo
rial with regard to extending the fran
| chise.
Mr.. Shepherd entered his solemn
| protest against the whole proceeding,
which reminded him of 1861, when
outside pressure in favor of the re-
belloH was used. Let the memorial be
presented by some member of the House.
A recess could then be had, when he was
ready to hear whatwas to be said.
Mr.. Woodcock suggested that the me-
mortal be first presented by some men,
bsr, and that the House then resolve
itself into committee of the whole for
the purpose of hearing Judge Shackel.
| ford and the other memorialists.
Considerable discussion ensued, in
which Messrs Woodcock, Hamilton and
Williams participated, relative to the
proper form of proceeding. 1t was
| finally agreed by the House to take a
recess of fifteen minutes after the read
| ing of the memorial.
Mr.. Kercheval then presented the me-
mortal, which was read. 1t is the same
that has for several days been circulated
| in the city, and bears the names OF nearly
| four thousand citizens.
On motion of Mr.. Williams, the Speaker
! was selected to preside during the recess.
Judge Sbackelferd then advanced to
the Speakers desk and spoke as follows:
Mr.. Speaker and the Members of the House
| of Representatives:
On behalf of my fellow-citizens, nearly
| four thousand in number, whose names
are signed to this memorial, | present it
through you to the Governor of the State,
asking that steps may be taken to restore
to the elective franchise those of our tel-
| low citizens that are now excluded from
that privilege by existing laws.
The time, feel, has come when all cit
izens of Tennessee should be restored to
those rights and privileges they inherited
| from their fathers, and which your pre-
decessors, under the powers delegated to
them from considerations of public pol
icy, thought it expedient, for time, to
deprive them. o.,
The memorial is signed by many of the
best men of your State-men who we're
true in their devotion to the fiag OF the
nation in the dark days Of the revolution.
The supremacy of the State government
is now too well established to be shaken;
the ship of State has been brought back
10 her ancient moorings Then let US re-
store to all equal rights and privileges.
This will bring pesce-blessed peace to
our divided population. Men will feel
they are free, and have right to psrti-
cipate in the government, and the sc-
knowledged maxim OF all republican
covernments-Bo taxation without repre-
sentation will be carried into effect;
when this is done we may well say we are
republicans. Restore the elective fran
chise, and then we will meet in debate
those Who differ from us in principles. and
if the Democratic party should triumph
for time, it will be, as in the early days
Of the republic, only temporarily. ] fear
not the ultimate success of the republi-
can principles-the march OF human
progress is onward. You mieht as well
attempt to stop the mighty current OF the
Mississippi as 20 stay IL.
! feel, gentlemen, / have the right to
address you in behalf Of the memorialists
and citizens of the State on this subject.
/ have co-operated with you since the
orranizaiion Of the State under the
amended Constitution. / was at the in
ception Of the organization. have
l labored amid al the strife growing out Of