Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-07
JUDGE LEAFS LETTER.


The following is the letter of Judge
Lea, submitted to tho Legislature by the
message of Gov. Brownlow:
NASHVILLE, July %, 1868.
His Excellency, W. G. Brswnlow:
DEAR SIR: / had intended to go to
Knoxville to see you, but so many peo-
pie have called on you that your strength
as we'll as patience must be nigh ex-
hausted.
You began the work Of reconstruction.
/ want you to end it, and you are the only
man who can do il. The present is
most favorable time for the consumma-
ton of the work, and the very troubles
that we have had in few counties have
produced great desire in the minds of
the people for settled government.
" There is tide in the affairs Of men,
Which, taken at the food, leads to fortune"
The same remark Is applicable to States.
/ speak the truth, and, whether you
agree with me or not, ! know you will
give respectful attention to what may
say.
The great body of the people, exclud-
ing few revolutionary agitators, are
content with the results of the war
soon will be glad, believe, that the Con-
federacy was failure-and their exclu-
sion from the polls is the chief and only
ground of complaint. There is nothing
surer under the sun than that these peo-
pie sooner or later will be allowed to vote.
An American citizen has no idea of lib
erty unless it is coupled with the right to
vote. The public opinion Of the world
certainly of the Anglo-Saxon race--is
tending toward universal suffrage, and
the speedy rehabilitation of all political
offenders is, also, another marked fea-
ture of modern civilization. 1t was wise
and right for the loyal people to organ
ize the State governments-it is unwise
and wrong to discriminate in favor of or
against any class one moment longer
than the safety of the State requires such
invidious interposition. To that propo-
sition you, and all good men, know,
will assent. Has the necessity for dis
elimination ceased2 / do, in fact, think
that it has.
am ignorant Of the contents of your
message some say it is mild and others
say it is harsh and vindictive in its tone
and temper. Whatever may be the rec
concentrations that you have made to
the General Assembly, recent happy cir.
cumstances have given an entirely new
phase to the entire subject. Petitions
are in circulation which will be signed, /
sincerely trust and believe, by the best
men in the country, pledging fidelity to
the Government. The citizens who sign
these petition are in earnest, and mean
what they say; they feel the responsible
ity of their position. Lawess bands and
associations perpetrate unwarrantable
outrages, and private crimes of heinous
nature are daily committed. These evils
are the indications of disordered state
of society, and all the sorong is charge
able neither to one nor to the other of the
two political parties.
Let all good men unite to calm these
angry passions. The petitioners ask
reinvestture of the elective franchise,
and, in my Judgment, the Radical party
will place itself entirely in the wrong
unless it favorably responds to the ad-
vances which have been and will here
after be made. / care nothing for the
election of either Seymour or Grant,
compared with the solicitude which | feel
for quiet, orderly, just government in
nv native State. When a member of
my own family lies dangerously sick, my
philanthropy is not large enough to take
an interest in the health of the people in
a distant country.
Had | my own way, every man might
from this moment vote in all elections,
but from all that / can learn, and also
from my knowledge Of human nature, it
is not to be supposed that the desirable
change can be looked for till some time
after the next Presidential election.
Threats seldom obtain rights, nor does
injustice long hold power Well, the
present fixed right of future enjoyment
of the franchise, or an assurance of it by
those in power, will, l think, give salts
faction to the people. True, they would
prefer to vote at the approaching Presi.
Dental election, but the deprivation of
that privilege-knowing that ever after.
ward they would enjoy the right-would
hardly cause in their minds feeling of
regret, certainly not spirit Of discomfort.
With much diffidence take the liberty
to inelose a plan of settlement, which,
il adopted by the General Assembly,
will effect the desired result in legal,
constitutional manner, without moving
or dislocating cog in the wheels Of the
machinery of Government This plan
requires no election Of officers, aud the
change will only be felt in the blessings
which it will bring. TRUST that the direc-
ton of your mind to the subject may
suggest more feasible mode OF reaching
the end, and that upon consideration Of
the petitions aforesaid, the peace-ofer-
ings of an entire community, you may
find ample warrant for making another
communication to the General Assembly.
Now, what will be the effect IL some
such sentiment is adoptedl Here al
home, | verify believe, that peace would
reign throughout the Staie-a general
forgiveness ensue-a feeling Of gratitude |
engendered toward those in pover-ku.
Klnx organizations would be compelled
TO disband-Loysl Leagues would cease
TO exist-the people would look 70 the
law for protection and not count on any |
ts..t srSrs sssss.. =-ss--ooc:--.---ons-and our |
Presidential canvass, conducted, u |
might be, With warmth. would be The |
mosf ouief and peaceable that ever took |