Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-09
PUBLIC LEDGER.
ELECTION BY NEGROES AND GOV
T4 ERNOR sENTER.

Ihe washington sour
paper, deplores the disgraceful conauc'
Of the negroes at the municipal eiec.ion
Yesterday, and says the experiment o.
negro suffrage, so far, is failure, and tne
brutal conduct of the blacks will raise io-
snrmountable barriers in the way oil tneir
fnture progress ard elevation. IL IS
known that many people, iscluding hun,
dreds Of negroes, who would have voted
The Citizens ticket, were kept from tne
polls through fear of violence Inc nau,
icals are irving to hush the matter, and
feel solicitous about the welfare OF un-
reconstructed Mississippi and Texas.
This is the rpened fruit Of universal
suffrage, which action is SO persistently
advocated by some of the shortsighted
n.wsuayers Of the country. The Star, Q
Republican sheet, admits that the expert
mept of negro suffrage, so far, is faii
urs. and we were convinced, before the
sr;al was had, that ignorant cornheld
hands could not in day be fitted TO ex'
sre;as the delicate rights of making
proner legislators and governors
The fact is not at aH aston
isbipp that these dunn, driven cattle
should be enab,,sd to act the part OF wise
law makers, when their minds are
chaos of confused ideas. Ifsny one OF
a re Hsetiug turn Of mind wou.'d s'saa -
we have and behold herd of .'aSs
Ethiopian voters crowding up to the polls
to deposit their ballots, like SO many
wild cattle in slaughter-pen, he could
but exclaim, "Oh, liberty, what mockery
is Republican government The
thought of universal suffrage is wild,
chimerical scheme of politicians who
would make their fortunes out OF the
miseries and unfortunate state of the
country. They expected by advocating
such TO be able again to place themselves
and friends in power, if but few years.
Bot we imagine that the Tennessee dis
franchised can be restored to their rights
without first swallowing down negro
suffrage. Governor Senter, who pro-
claims himself in favor Of enfrancbising
all taxpayers in the State, don't require
that these men shall compromise them
selves by declaring for universal suffrage.
II is true that Mr.. Senter's platform is
universal suffrage, but be will
not say to the disfrsnchised, swear
to support the negro in bis right to vete,
before you receive back your lost herlt-
age. We do not propose to trade on
that basis, as the votaries OF the African
would imagine. The simple words Of
the contract between Governor Senter
and the Conservatives who will vote for
him, is that if elected be will favor the
enfranchising Of all white men in the
State who have been deprived Of this
right since the war for participating in
the rebellion. There is no compromise
with us in principle in accepting and
voting for Governor Senter for the next
Governor Of the State.
We expect to give hearty support to
this gentleman on the condition as ex-
pressed by himself, and which will be &C.
cepted by the Conservatives iu this end
of the State. If Governor Senter and his
white friends would secure for themselves
the favorable consideration Of the true
men in the State, then stand for their
freedom, aud they will not hesitate here
after in comforting any Office upon them
that might be within their gift. We will
vote for Senter for the next Governor.
believing him to be the white mans can
didate, as opposed to Stokes, who is run
ming for and expects to be elected by the
negroe vote Of the State. OF the two
evils we shall prefer the least.