Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-12-04
SUFFRAGE IN TENNESSEE.
The Present Condition Of tee
South.
Important Letter fTOl2 Hon. JO-
Seph ). EOtCIeT.
He FdCOrs Immediate Repeal of
tie franchise LdtU.

II was strictly a measure of defense, and
under circumstances, proper, and INTENDED
20 be transient in its duration. 1t was To
last So long ss the causes that had induced
a. should last. IL was the design of every
original and consistent Uuiouist that this
measure should terminate as soon as the
temper of their opponents would permit
with safety reform at once desirable and
salntsry.
II did not originate in a spirit Of revenge
or Tor the purpose Of iuhictiug any penalty
upon those GU whom it was designated to
operate, tor any part they had taken 10 the
rrbe mon. IL Is true, those who participa
ted in the rebellion are excluded from the
right, brcause IL was REGARDED unsafe to the
State aud dangerous TO the peace aud hap
piucss uf those WHO had been loyal Tor thtm
10 wield so great "a power before the pas
sious aud prcjudices epgeudcred by the war
had su6sldrd.
| The prscucal question row before the
country Is: Has the time arrived for break
ING down the barriers To universal euiran-
chISementi La my judgment IL has.
! The currJrt of public opinion, on all sides
| is against the restriction, and tue States Of
| Tennessee aud Missouri, that alone adhere
to a., cannot long Withstand tho force Of that
/ power.
1t Is incompatible with the cherished
views and protrssed principles Of the Re-
publican party, 10 is inconsistent with the
idea OF republican government, as now
maintained, 10 exclude large q part of the
cIuzeus, and tnoNe representing 50 much OF
me taxable property OF the STATE, from the
! ballot.
The generous character Of the Pres dent
eject, wuO brlugs to the Office OF the Exec
uuve So large shlre OF popular irfl Icuce,
ami an ardent desire Tor the restoration ut
the States TO their former relations and tor
the reconciliation Of their dsatlscted peo-
pie, should meet with hearty response
nom every patriotic heart. For This reason
the present appears to me most auspicious
period for the cousumation of 80 do,irabl
a result in this State as the restoration of
all TO the enjoyment Of this right.
The Rrpuuncan party are certainly ready
TO make the same generous con, essiun to
those of their own race that they have made
20 "a dliftGenG one.
1t is ,mueuty proper that those now in
possession at the government should begin
and consumate tnIs work. Let II be thor.
Ough, generous tribute to the spirit Of char
ity ANA liberty As il has been their earn
est desire 10 extend the boundaries OF Tree
dom, let them press forward With unwaver-
ing iaith IN their principles, not doubling
that they will win tnoso who seek The good
OF the State and the nation ii their princi-
pies are true. IL is source OF mortiica-
ton aud shame to see citizens OF the State
stripped Of toe attributes Of men. The
measures Tor the enforcement OF the re-
striction are harsh aud distlsteful To many
of the truest Unlon men in the Stale, and
are traught with injustice aud dapgr u
IA, s. WHO iRangurated them # MT ADMIN
istered by the highest wisdom and purify.
1.-THE sympa'hies and memories of thos
Who engaged IA the rebellion are 20 cemen,
Into union an who followed THAI course, IL
must defeat every generous cnsurt 20 give
peace to the country. II the cry against
} Radicaism r m ide mere preteYt To re
glA pow and 10 perpetuute he c,u,e al
secession, II will result In political and 50