Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-11-06
the Franchise.

lug n"uyt We "" 49," -
ascertain how far we have 'strayed from
the old land marks, by which the Democ'
racy has been guided since the formation
of the Government. II has ever been q
cardinal principle Of the Democratic
creed, enunciated ia the platforms, and
BY her leaders In the halls Of Legislation
and in the hastings, that the fundamental
idea of this Government is that the con-
stitutional governing power of the nation
is the white race. This is white mans
government, and all attempts to sngrai'
negro suffrage upon the creed Of the party
has been declared time and again as i'm
polite and unwise.
Suffrage is not demanded as a matter
Of right to the negro, but as voting ma
chine. He Yields vast political power
| in the South. This, by the most inia-
nous manipulation, is cast in support OF
the party in power, against his true inte'
rest-the interest of the country-and
against those who stand in the natural
relations Of friends.
But whether the negro vote is cast with
the Democracy or not, we are uncom-
promisingly opposed to placing in his
hands political power which the trainers
of the Government never intended him
TO have, aud which experience has shown
him TO be so incompetent to exercise.
Others may pursue whatever course
thew choose to follow, but as for ourselves,
we shall continue to be guided by the
teaching and experience of the only party
that has ever shown itself competent to
administer the Government upon high
and enlightened principles of statesman
shin. We are not bound by any pledges
to any policy, and shall be guided by that
nolicy which we think will conduce to
the best interest of our down-trodden
country. While we freely accord to the
negro all his rights before the law we
never have. and never will consent that
he is our political and social equal.
We can never forget that in our veins
aovs the noble blood of the Anglo
Saxon and the Huguenots, and shall ever
proye true to our lineage and high des-
inv. We can never forget that we be-
long to the dominant or growing race
whose triumphant march through the
world is marked by empires, and an en-
liehtened civilization. The negro Is,
and always has been, the inferior or ser
vile race, and occupies the same posi-
ton in the scale of civilization that his
barbaric ancestors did thousands OF
wears ago. The genial influences oil
Christianity, education and social re-
form. are to him sealed book. Inc
experience of the wisest statesmen that
the world has ever produced, shows that a
government to be stable, permanent and
effectual, must be operated through the
intelligence of the country. Its course
must be controlled and guided by reason.
The great bane Of this country is, that
we have too much suffrage. 1t should
he restricted within those limits which
will secure a judicious exercise OF that
power for the best interest of the coun-
try. and not used merely as a political
power to foist partizan demagogues into
power and place.
The representatives of a people are, as
a rule, the opponents Of the intelligence
Of their constituents. This we see fully
exempliHed in the Barbour Lewises,
Smiths and Hamiltons, who now repre-
sent the semi-barbarous horde that COM
trolls the destiny Of Tennessee. Elevate
the people in the scale of virtue and in
telligence, and they will then be repre-
seuted in the Legislatures and halls OF
Congress by virtuous and intelligent
men,. Until the people reach certain
standard of intelligence, we are in favor
of a restricted suffrage, based upon in
telligence and property qualifications.
That would insure judicious and intel
lieent exercise of the ballot This will
| insure stability and permaneuce to the
| government, justice to all; and due
administration of governmental affairs
will follow as natural consequence.