The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1868-12-18
For the Citizen

/ For the Citizen.
Reconstruction Made Easy-0ur Trou-
bIeB Ended-Peace Established, and
Liberty Accomplished.
live were called upon TO select one word
that would express the exciting cause of
all the political troubles and popular disaf-
fiction now in Tennessee, we would say
'disfTanehisement" And to bury that
word by legislative Intervention, would be
to bury all our ills ard to heal oar multi
piled Affections. Now is the time for this
to be done-by the Legislature which is
now in session. Unequal and discriminat-
ing laws among men of the same race, ORR
gin and temperament, have always been
fruitful sources of civil disaeBsioB, social
anarchy, and political revolution. But
more especially is this the case among men
ct different races, possessing different de-
grees of culture and civilization, hen these
inequalities and determinations are made
in favor of the inferior class. 1t is this
character of laws that keeps Tennessee dis
affected, quegulous and convulsive. They
excite thelimpatience, the pugDacity, and
malevolence of the disfavored, and, if per-
sisted in, will sooner or later result ia dan
gerous commissions and local collisions, if
not civil revolution. What is known as the
'.franchise law'' in this State, has not only
prevented that peace, unanimily and har-
mouy to which we would so naturally and
necessarily have settled down, after long,
destructive, exbausting and pauperizing
war, but it has sustained and promoted that
perilous agitation, that partisan luminosity
and hostility Of races, which exist to- day
in Tennessee. And this stale of things
will continue with US until the law is abro-
gated. Il is, therefore, the solemn and pa
trioIic duty of the Legislature now 10 sess
sion to take immediate measures to this eE
The present body did not naEe this lasIs,
which is now a part of the Constitution,
and are not responsible therefor. but they
can take steps to relieve as of the evils and
injustice it entails. But when we appeal
to them to do this. and thus lay the ground
work to effect our release from the political
disabilities under which we now labor, they
meet US with these objections First, they
say, you are re-enfra ncbised, that Wili
leave us in a, hopeless minority, and at once
commit the State government to your con-
ttol and administration.
Second, you participated in or sympa-
thized with the rebellion, and are Therefore
not entitled to such prsrogativs OF that
account. Third, you do not respect and
conform to the laws and government under
which you live, aud are therefore not true
to the State Fourth, you still cherish the
spirit of rebellion and have organized Ku-
klux Khan to overthrow the government.
Now let us examine and discuss these
objections for a moment, and not 10 tie
spirit of malignant controversy or partisan
pref but fairly and amioably.
To the first objection, we answer, that
you had better live 10 a hopeless minority
than do such egregious injustice to your
couutrymen, in order to peEpetuate your as
tendency and control. But you would not
live in hopeless minority for any cOnsid-
cradle period of time. We asserVate it,
for we feel it rather as the conviction Of
accomplished truth, than as the ardor of an
impulsiVe prophesy. No sooner will re-
enfFaueh isement take place, than the old
political parties will begin to assume their
ancient shapes and opposing attitudes, and
the present Democratic party would begin
a process of disintegration. How is iteVen
now? Why, many Of those who were for
merly of the old Whig party and can now
vote, affiliate and vote Tnh the Democratic
party under a sort of protest. They do net
like the name and sound Of demoeraoy.--
But proscr: ption and injustice have driven
them to an utilization and cooperation with
it. They could not, nor never can. endorse
your policy. But remove political disabil-
tiles, aud new party will be formed, under
what name we shall not conjecture. And
to this il may be answered that the Repub-
lican party will also disintegrate, and this
we do not desire. This may be 80; bas If
it does, its members will Immediately seek
the new parties with refereace to their for.
mer politics, aud then we would have no
more prescriptions of any party. bat dis
cuss aud contest party issues aud public
measures as in the halcTon days Of the
past. 1
TO the second objection. We answer, by
first asking, is nos the majority of your
body composed of those who not only sym
pathized, but actually eO-epera.ed, with the
cause Of secession in the beginning of the
revolution? Even admitting that not one
of your Honorable body ever for a moment
appreciated tile doctrine of secession, still
would it be right or just to redaoe eighty