The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-07-16
"FOr Senter and Suffrage"

The Maryvllc Republican, the only
paper IN the State owned and edited by
colorcd man. has abandoned Colonel
Stokes-the anti-suiliagc candidate
and declared for "Senter and Suffrage"
We copy the article of the editor on
the reasons which have induced his &C.
ton, and commend it to the attention OF
our coorcd friends in McMinn county.
1t is as follows:
CoLoRED VOTERS.
1on who have SO nobly earned your
birihright of freedom, remember that
passion and prejudice never brought
about your acknowledgements. Some OF
the very same Republicans who voted
to relieve YOU of your disabilities are
now actively engaged in advocating
their removal from the DISTINGUISHED
whites. "A proscriptivc policy, and re-
taIiativc measures, will inevitably re-
vert upon your own devoted heads
with overwhelming force. This is not
! your fight. it is fight between the
whites, and to bring you into ii is both
unwise and dangerous to your well be-
ing as pcaccable citizens. You are the
balance Of power and whether all men
vote or not. YOU have your rights set
tied beyond question. 1t is not the aim
OF any party to wrcst from you the
rights OF citizenship. On the contrary
YOU stand in a much better position
than any other party. Your, {3vor is
coLrtcd by all. and your llbNcr ac-
knowlcdgcd. This question Of uuiver-
sal suffrage will be settled whether You
90 for or against it, and bold manly
stand for the restoration Of those dear
privileges that YOU now enjoy. to the
disiranchiScd Of Tennessee. will Cndcar
YOU TO every American citizen who de-
sircs peace and prosperity. There is
no further practical use Of keeping any
one out in the cold any longer. No
State can debar her citizens from cXer-
ciSing the Inherent right of citizenship
for any longer period than we have.
Your rights are made sccurc by Con-
grcssional legislation so that YOU have
no excuse to offer that YOU are protect
ing yourselves in opposing universal
suffrage. We warn YOU not to he led rs
slaves by designing white men, who in
flame your worst passions for the pur
pose of being elected by your votes to
some Office that could not be reached bv
calm and peaceful means. Allay all cX
element. Peace is what YOU need, as
we'll as liberty. For as YOU derived
your freedom from war 50 would il
pass away by the same measure. 1t is
to your interest to cultivate peace and
friendship with all mankind. it j. TO the
interest OF all to live in unity with each
other. We can have our preference for
this man or that man. this measure or
that one, but if you desire to rise to a
full and perfect manhood to become an
educated and religious people. to grow
prosperous and happy. you must accord
! the same rights to others that you enjoy
yourself. You have enemies, and they
are not confined to any particular party.
who would lead you OH in the path to
greatness and glory, and who, when
they can do without your aid in secur-
ing Office, will bascly desert YOU. Let
your voices then swell with that Of the
noble Republicans who are battling for
the great and good causc--IIuman Lib
crty. Lei your votes be cast for peace,
Ihnd we assure YOU that in one year
hence You Will not rue it.