Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-11
MEMPHIS TENNESSEE EVENING. SEPTEMBER H. 1868


only do 90 when compelled to. The
people are so heavily taxed that II is to
the interest Of all parties not to have a
militia force" s.r
"Would the Governor rather have
Federal troops to aid in enforcing the
law, or does he prefer the State forces r
He would rather have national
troops"
"Does the Governor think that the
President would execute in good faith
any promise he might make to carry out
the franchise law and insure fair elec-
ton p ~
"That he does not know. If the Presi.
dent should leave Gen. Thomas in com.
mand OF the department, he would regard
it as an evidence Of the honesty Of his
Intentions; but If he should remove Tho
mas, and send Gordon Granger or some
such man to take the command, the
Governor would consider it an intention
to violate any promise, and to try to
cirry the State for the Democratic party"
will the Governor make any effort TO
preserve order without calling out the
militia, even If the bill now becomes q
law2" a eI
He will. tits his intention to appeal
to all the people by proclamation TO obey
the laws and to assist in maintaining
order. He is resolved not TO call out the
militia, only as last resort"
In a conversation with A. ]. Fletcher
to- day, he remarked that he did not con-
slider the militia the remedy for the dis
ordered condition of affairs, but did not
favor any extension Of the franchise.
He did not indorse Gov Brownlow's s
policy, as be did not think he had any.
He believed Gov. Brosnlow TO be an
honest man in everything, and from this
fact was deceived and used by many bad
men. But with the exception Of his ex-
ercising the appointing power without
authority Of law, the Governor had done
nothing but execute the laws ofthe State
If the laws were bad it was not the fault
of the Governor.
Hon. John B. Henry, State Treasurer,
said he regarded the Governor as too
lax, through his kindness Of heart, to
strictly enforce any law that would look
like punishment of the rebels, and that
the rebels, knowing this, were constantly
taking advantage of him.
find that the members Of the Legis-
lature are divided upon the question OF
militia. Senator Elliott told me that the
militia might be organized and not be re-
sisted, but it would not do away with the
i'll feeling-would only increase it, in
fact--and after the troops were dispersed
the Ku Klux would still be here. He
thinks that if the franchise was extended
to all the rebels quiet and order would at
once be restored. / found that this
opinion is entertained by very many good
Republicans, all of whom think that gen.
eral enfranchisement would take away
the great argument of the late rebel lead.
ers, and other than personal issues would
occupy the public mind.
Hon. l.. NJ. Blackburn informed me
that the Republican party was now being
divided upon the question of the exten.
sion of the franchise, and that it would
inevitably be brought about-that in the
end the whole people must be allowed to
vote He said "the views expressed by
the Cincinnati Commercial and indorsed
by more than half the Republicans in the
State-they are opposed to militia and
arbitrary rule"
Judge L. G. Houk (Republican), said
In me: The present leaders of the
Radical party in Tennessee would ruin
any political party in the world in three
years" He thought if the Republican
party would extend the suffrage before
they were forced to do it, they could be
4 perpetual party.
| met, this evening, Colonel James s.
Hull, formerly of the army, and at pres
snt elector on the Republican ticket for
his (the Fiftb) district. Colonel Hull is
IN Intelligent gentleman, and has been in
politics ever since the reorganiz alton of
he State government, and is as familiar
With public sentiment in Middle Tennes.
lee as any man in the State. i
Colonel" said /, "your people down
,ere seem very turbulent and unsettled
What do you consider the cause Of this
p
well, l can give but this explanation.
1t the time OF the meeting of the New
FORK Convention everything was quiet.
)n the 4th of July the President issued
lis proclamation of general amnesty
The rebel element, who had heretofore
their paroles as prisoners of
rar, regarded this as absolving them
rom all the obligatory conditions of those
aroles, and that they we're no longer
ound by them; and being absolved from |
ny penalty, they at once placed them
elves in an attitude of defiance TO State |
Avs, as recommended by the resolutions
{ the New York Convention, which de. |
Jared these State Governments null |
nd void.
"But, Colonel" | asked, "the Ku-
lux were organized before that time,
ere they not? ?"
"0nly partially; so far as we could
sarn, their existence at that time was
on6ued TO two or three counties in the
tate, but after the issuance of that proc
lmation. followed by the resolutions Of
le New York Convention, aud the action
{ the Northern Democrats toward For
,st and other leaders in the rebellion,
lie organization was made general, and
xcept in East Tennessee, the outrsges
scsme the mark by which we followed
le progress Of their organization.
"Do you think the excuse that they
ere organized as defense against the
embers of the Loyal Leagues and the
rand Army of the Republic, ssufficient
le3"
"No, sir" he answered; "the Loyal
eagues we're abandoned, and ceased to
eet in any part of the State after the
ection last fall. There are but two
,sts Of the Grand Army, in Middle and
est Tennessee, and all their members
, not number four hundred men. This
no excuse at all.
"Do you think Governor Brownlow's
has been as successful as