Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-12-01
SUFFRAGE.
correspondence Between Hen.
Henry S. F0Ote and Hon.
Joseph 5. Fowler.
An Immediate Repeal Of the
Franchise Law Suggested.

Ia recent correspondence betw esn
Senator Fowler and Hon. Henry s.
Foote, the former, in reply TO The latter,
SAYS, on The subject Of the frRischise
You have also presented the subject OF
the franchise law in the State OF Ten
nessee, and expressed your o lsaSare On
learning my views of the question.
The Republican party Of Tennessee
has for its distinctive feature the. pEin-
cipie of the equal rights CT tho citizen 20
suffrage. It is its cardinal feature. Il
was believed by those who organized the
party that every citizen mast be maSe
interested ia the prosperity of the State,
that it is his right to exercise his voice
in determining the political forces that
shall govern bin. 1t is doctrine re-
vered by all Americans, thal; the iBde-
pendent, manly exercise of that right
by party ties or personal
fear is the guaranty Of our happiness
and liberty.
The limitation OF this right by the
Legislature wss made under peculiar
The State Government
was organized whilst the war was yet
The State was then divided
into hostile and belligerent psTtie-. The
Of the Government became .
matter OF salf-defense. It's importance
could not be overlooked. Il could not
be expected that any party would permit
their enemies 10 enter freely the citadel
Of their strength and safety, snd direct
them in the measures they might take
for their security. The convention that
amended the Constitution did no! desire
to omit from the franchise any citizen of
the State, but guided by their OWG sense
Of Eelf-defense, fCressw g contingency
that might demand q resort to a course
harsh to themselves ss it would also APP
pear to others, provided for the case by
granting 10 the Legislature that should
convene sfCer the amelded Consti-
tuition the power to legisiataO on the ques-
ton of franchise. In the Judgment Of
the friends of the Government, that con-
tingeney arose s1d demanded the exsr-
else of the power granted. The causes
which led to the exercise Of this power
were the proscriptive course of those
lately in armad rebellion against the
toward the friends of the
Government, in possession Of it; the
violent and denunciat0Ty character OF
the leading journals renewed in the In
teFval of the overthrOWn CGnfedsraey
and agsinst the Unionists. Il was the
stern argument of self-pI0tection that
induced the Republicans 70 resort to a
measure not only harsh to them, but
viOlatiye of their cherished principles.
It was strictly measure of defense,
and, under the circumstances, proper,
and intended to be transient in It's dura-
ton. 1t was to last so long as the causes
that had induced it should last. II WAS
the design of every original and eoHsis
tent UniOnist that this measure should
terminate as soon ss the temper OF their
would permit with safety re-
form st once desirable and salutaFy
It did not originate In spirit of re-
veDge, or fOr the purpose OF indicLing any
penalty upnr those on wnum it was desig-
mated to operate, for any part they bad
taken In the rebellion. 1T Is true, those
who participated in the rebellion are ex-
cluGed from the right, because it was re-
gsried unsafe TO the State and dangerous
10 tha peace and happiness of those who
b ad been loyal for them TO WELD 80 great
a power befOTe the passions and prsju-
dices engendered by tho war had CUB
sided.
The practical question now before the
is: Has the time arrived for
breaking down the barriers to universal
Acknowledgement In my judgment il
has.
The current of pubic opinion, on all
sides, is against the restriction, and the
States Of Tennessee and Missouri, that
alone adhere to il, cannot long withstand
the force of that power
1t is incompatible with the cherished
views and proIessed principles of the Re-
publican party. It is inconsistent with
the idea OF republican government, as
now maintained, to exclude 80 large q
part of the citizaDs, and those represent
ing so much of the taxable property OF
the State, from the ballot.
The generous character OF the Presi-
dent elect, who brings TO the Office of the
so large 3 share of influence,
and an ardent desire for the restOratioA
Of the States to their former relations
and for the reconciliation Of their dlsaf-
fected people, should meet with hearty
response from every patriotic heart. For
this reason the present appears TO me a
most auspiciOus period for the cOnsum-
nation Of so, desirable a result in this
State as the restoration of all TO the en-
ioymert Of this right.
The Republican party are certainly
ready to make the same generous con-
eessiOn 70 those of their own race that
they have made to different one.
These sentiments have been uttered by
me, not only from my conviction Of their
and right, but from as firm 8
belief that these citizens now disfraa-
chised will meet the Issues before the
country in the same disinteTssted and
generous sLirit OF foFbaaranee and respect.
We are ali of the same race. We have
inherited from common ancestors the
same desire for liberty, the same glorious
memories TO love. We have 8 Common
object and a common destiny. II is but
the common and impla0aDle enemy of
mankind that would tx perpetual barri-
ers against social and political com
muniOD 10 the same state and race. Il
is in vain TO await the consent OF all to
begin the needful reform. II the am
bitiop and eupidity OF all are 10 be con-
suited, generation after generation must
sleep its last long sleep before an effort
will be put forth in the right direction.
The object is S good one, and the conse-
Quence must, IL the END, be like il. The
sooner it is begun the sooner the whole
people will be restored 10 harmony and
prosperity.
1t is emlnently proper that those now
iD possession OF the Government should
begin and eOnsummate this work. Let
il be thorough, generous tribute to the
spirit OF charity and liberty. AS &c has
been their earnest. desire to extend the
boundaries of freedom, let them press
forward with unwavering faith in their
principles, not doubling that they will
win these who seek the good OF the State
and the nation if their principles are
true. 1t is a source Of modification and
shame TO see citizens Of the State stripped
Of the attributes of men. The measures
for the enforcement OF the restriction sre
harsh and distasteful to many OF the
truest Union men In the State, ami are
fraught with injustice and danger to
those who inaugursted them If not ad
minlstered by the highest wisdom and
purity.
II the sympathies and memories .oi
those who engaged in the rebellion are
TO cement into union all who followed
that course, it must defeat every geuer-
Gus effort to give peace to the oonntry.
If the cry against kadicRlisn IS made q
mere pretext to regain power and to per-
Detuate the cause OF secession, it will re-
suit in a political and social prescription
far more fatal to peace and Republican
principles than the present franchise
law. ! cannot believe that the citizens
of the State will, for 8 moment, enter
tain so erroneous view. They viii look
rather 10 their material interests than to
past differences.
The passport to tranquil prosperity in
the State must be by the reuunciation ol