Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-10
Letter from Hon W. L. Harris.


Letter from hon W. L. Harris. b
MEMPHIs, September. 7. 1858.
Mr.. r. II. Sylvester, Cor. Secretary; el
DEAR SIR: Your note, inviting me L
address the Young Mems Independent
Democratic Club of Memphis on th'
issues of the canvass, on Wednesday eve
ming, the 9th inst, has been received.
had designed to accept your kind invita-
ton, but the change of time since indi'
Gated places it out of my power to NEE
with you. Previous professional engage
ments compel me to be absent from the
city at the time to which understand
your contemplated meetingis postponed
/ avail myself, however, of the occasion
afforded me by the confidence implied by
your courtesy, to offer some suggestions
which may not be deemed inappropriate.
| The turpitude of the Republican ad-
ministration land by this mean Con-
gress) is a fact too fully emblazoned 10
its history, since it came into power, to
4 .
admit of dispute among honest, intelli-
gent men anywhere. 1t stands virtually
admitted by some of their most eminent
leaders, and the proofs are 80 numerous
that it would be time wasted to advert to
them in the South, where, among the in
telligent and the upright, these men have
no defenders. The powers of the three
departments of the government, intended
to be separate and independent, and
each check upon the others, for the pro.
lection of the public liberties, have all
been usurped by Congress; the Constitu.
tion set at nsught in all it's main features;
and revolution of the whole character
of the government completely inaugu-
rated.
We of the South foresaw this event, and
endeavored to arrest the usurpations, and
struggled long years, beforge the war, to
avert such calamity, and to save the
Constitution and the Union. Good men,
North and South, aiming at the same end,
seemed to misunderstood each other;
and the South, losing all hope of saving
the Constitution and the Union, endeav'
ored to save herself by secession. In
this she failed. The several States of
the South making the effort (t has been
decided by the Supreme Court of the
United States, in the case of Murran vs..
insurance company-6th Wallace, page
ID remained--after their attempted sep
aratiou and change of government-in
judgment Of ldao, as completely under
all their constitutional obligations as
before. All the proceedings of these
eleven States, either severally or 10 con-
junction, were void. The Constitution
of the United States, which is the fdnda-
mental law of each and all of them, not
only afforded no countenaDce or author
ity for their proceedings, but they were,
in every part of them, in express disre.
gard and violation of it. During the civil |
war they we're governments dc Jdcto-- |
the ruling power of the country" the |
supreme power" over the section which |
they dominated by force of arms-ds a
mGtter o.. fact. But at the termination
of the war their power ceased, their force
was. overcome, the Constitution of the
United States and the government under
il we're re.established, and the States in
judgment Of lats were restored to their
normal relations. Justice Sprague, in
the case of the Amy Warwick, in Masss-
chusetts, 10 1862, so held, also. l regret
that the limits of q letter will not allow
NE TO quote at length the views of tAis
eminent Judge on this point-as eminent
for bis learning, ability and integrity as
for his devotion to the Union.
Such being the condition and relation
IF these States to the Union, and their
rights under the Constitution, In the
Judgment of ldic, as expounded by the
highest judicial tribunals Of the United
States government. We now seek in
his canvass, with the aid of Democrats
md Conservatives, in the North and
South, to sustain at the ballot box the
Judgment of the judicial department of /
he government, aud to uphold the ex-S
'cutive arm ooinciding With II, and by this ,
means to recover our lost liberty against /
he lawless usurpations of Congress /
Under pretense of saving the Union OF
Is own yelition it has annihilated the
governments Of ten States; destroyed !
be union Of the States, and the Consti-
ution which held them together; and I
y force Of arms, against the will Of the {
'eople aud against the decision of the I
ther two departments Of the govern.
neui, they now seek the authority of The
eople at the bAllot-box to establish their !
surpAtions, and fssten upon these I
tates the military despo;ism under :
Ihieh they have so long groaned. To !
vert this is our object, and this, The 0
ssue OF the canvass. e
Our views Of the right Of suffrage 9
no should vote; whether there shall be Q
nisersai Suffrage Of al races and colors; b
: whether il shall be restricted. or upon
ha, principle it shall rest are grave .
uestious which We are bound 20 meet,
nd ought to meet aud answer honestly q
nd 10 good faith, for the happiness Of c
ie Whole country, white and colored, q
I'd in justice 10 our own character and q
1nscience Lawful liberty for all; pro- q
'ciiou and security for sll is vhat We u
uld&fsire. IL
NJ. Bbcke IN the preface 10 his letter p
a a I