Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-09-09
REFORMED NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
OF THE FRANCHISE QUESTION.

attention.
REFORMED SOLUTION
OF THE FRANCHISE QUESTION.
The experience Of every dsy-the agi-
tstions and exeitements growing out OF
the Reorganization Of the political and
social elements of our body pOlitic-the
villsinies Of demsgogues the mob-viO-
lence almost reaching to revolutiOn-all
these and more bear evidence of the
necessity for an entire reorganization of
the elective franchise. The elective sys-
tenn is the very bssis Of Republican Gov
eminent. What then must become of
the Government itself, when the founda-
ton upon which it is reared becomes
weak, rotten and ~crumbling? 1t must
certainly too become rotten and corrupt,
or totter to its fall.
This is the Identical state of facts that
we now find passing beneath our obser-
walton. The elective system is demon
allied and corrupted. The basest of our
population-the white Radicals-have
seized hold of the accidental possession
of power, at the close Of the late civil
war, to play upon the prejudices of the
ignorant class of negro voters who have
suddenly been proclaimed capable of ex-
ercising every right Of citizenship, and
to degrade and de-citizenizs the intelli-
gent white citizens who oppose their
schemes of ruin and plumber.
In this manner the elective franchise
has come to be used by these selfish
%scOundrels as the mere instrument of
faction, to perpetuate their power and to
Cypress their enemies. 1t is not used as
was designed by our fathers, to subserve
the public good, to insure good laws, to
guarantee right and justice and to secure
the blessings of liberty to the people and
their pOsterity. Thus it so results that
the ballot-box has become the source Of
the most enormous corruption and OPP
preston, known in the worlds history.
Open, continual, incessant and fierce
warfare Of factions-the ballot being sub.
stituted for the bullet, but being none
the less destructive and arbitrary in its
uses, is witnessed day after day, week
after week, and month after month.
No one dreams Of having the wrong
righted or justice executed or good order
and safety secured by this monstrous
tribunal. It is not the voice of the intel
ligent, v%irtuous, thinking people which
speaks to US through such q system. 1t
is the voice Of hate, prejudice, selishness,
greed for power, and determination to
rob and plumber, under the forms Of
law. The sanctions Of law are weakened,
and law itself cOmes to be regarded aud
feared as a monster Of cruelty and crime.
Can Republican Government survive
such an ordeal, unlessthe system shall be
changed? Every thinking man says, No.
Revolution and anarchy must dissolve
this despotism, unless there is a change.
The country is even now rife for thsse
changes, and nothing restraints the kind
ling of the flame OF revolution, by the ig-
milton of 3 spark, but the we'll founded
and firm conviction of the true and wise
that such violence is not, and never will
be the proper solution Of this desperate
problem. There is another remedy which
strikes directly at the root ofthe evil, and
which is practicable, by the exercise of
wisdom, firmness and forbearance. This
is the gradual reorganization of the cleo
tive franchise upon an entirely different
h.,fa frapa that npuT nxisfinp II h-ao
not contemplate the deprivation of any
person now exercising the frsnchise-and
il proposes to restore the franchise to sll
who were entitled to il before the war
this system to remain ia force during the
present generation. But all who Rccede
to the franchise hereafter, either by ArTiv-
ing at majority, or by immigration, will
be required TO possess moral and intel
lectual qualifications, which are to be
ascertsined by certain tests that may
easily be applied and fairly adapted to
every inhabitant Of the country. For
example, every voter shall be required to
show that he regularly follows q lawful
occupation; that he is a bona fde resi-
dentof the place where he offers his vote;
that he has not been convicted OF larceny
or any infamous crime; that he can read
and write the Constitution OF the United
that he proposes to give his allie
glance to the Government while he re-
mains under its protection, and that he
has psid, at least, q poll tax to support
The same.
The plan proposed will combine four
advantages, that may contribute to re-
the elective system, and finally re-
Itore il TO pristine soundness:
LIST. 1t will DOT challenge the opposition .
II any existing incumbent of the elective :
privilege, or Of any one who is fairly en-
to the same. I
End. 1t will be prospective solely In its
fperatioD, and viii give a fair opportu-
Iity to minors, net entitled now 10 vote, /
0 prepare themselves to exercise the :
under the qualifications to be ?
nforced. .
Sd. The reform will be gradual, but :
ill commence its operation at once, J
is to say, every person arriving at
% the day after the adoption of the
1stem, or any one irnmigratiDg into the 9
tate, will be obliged TO exhibit quslifi- n
such as are herein prescribed. q
4th. II viii altogether rid the State OF
citizenship Of worthless Migrants,
lminals, plunderers, and ignorant per- :,
ms of all classes, and will supplant the 4
'esent system Of allowing the dregs Of "
to control the Government, by
intelligence, virtue and worth o.
take the lead in society and in the y
ate. -
. peaceful solution OF the great prob q.
%, now engaging the earnest attention siC
the people, may be had under this
an. After very earnest reflection, We An
We been able to see no other. War /
" only lead to stronger and more Gu
peleRs despOtism than that Whioh nou I