Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-22
Governor Senter-The Duty Of the
Democracy.

Governor Senter-The Duty of tn
Democracy.
From the Nashville Union and American. 2lst.
The experience of the State election
two wears ago, and the Presidential cleo
ton last November, sufficed to convinc'
the Conservatives of this State that il
was futile to attempt to contest with thu
party in possession of the State govern
ment in the election now pending. By
almost universal consent it was agreed
that no nomination of q candidate fol
Governor should be made, and, if events
had not turned as they have, it is prob.
able the mass of the Conservative votes
would not have participated in the strug
gle between rival Republican factions,
either in the gubernatoriai or legislative
elections.
The disruption of the Republican State
Convention on the goth of May, however,
put q new aspect on affairs. Though the
chosen leaders of neither wing spoke at
that time clear aud unequivocal voice
on the important question of sbrogating
all laws and ordinances restricting the
franchise, it was manifest that the schism
would, ia some fern, lead to condition
of things hopeful for the disfranchised
portion of the people with whom the Con.
serystives were in sympathy. Out of
that split" consu MINATED in confusion
and violence, it was evident the flower of
freedom would spring. The reign OF
Radical prescription was virtually ended
in that scene of tumult and conflict.
A few days thereafter unanimous de-
cision from full bench of the Supreme
Court broke the fell rod which had so
long held the State in thraldom. 1t an
noupced principle which restored the
franchise privilege to at least twenty-five
thousand voters, which had been ruth
lessly wrested from them by tyrannical
Legislature and Governor who scrupled
at no act of unwsrranted authority over
the ballot box. The two events laid the
foundation for the great work of com
plete enfranchisement for this people,
now so happily and triumphantly in
progress.
It was possible, however, that the
movement at this stage might have been
seriously retarded, and the repeal of the
restrictive statutes postponed to an in
definite time 10 the future. TWAS in the
power Of the Governor of the State so to
have welded the machinery of the regis
tration lays, and SO to have shaped the
issues of the campaign for the succession,
that partisan Registrars and election
officers might practically have set at
naught the great measure, the epfranr
chisement wrought by the judicial fiat
referred to, and repressed the rising spirit
of liberality in the party to which he and
his competitor both belong.
But by his uttersnce on the 9th of June
the opening day of the canvsss-like
the bell on Independence Hall on the
fourth of July, l776, he proclaimed lib
erty to the State and all the inhabitants
thereof. Boldly and molly he declared
in favor Of the speediest legal means for
the CELEBRATION of the least vestigs OF re-
striction on the franchise, and announced
bis purpose to so execute the law as it
nov sispis, that every man justly en-.
titled to vote should do So Cohsistently
and yaiiantly, in the face Of determined
opposition and denunciaiion, he has kept
faith With that pledge. Under his gallant
lead, bearing the flag of restitution Of the
suffrage, he has revolutionized the senti-
mspt Of bis party, and driven diseom-
fted, bnt skillfpl and experienced CON-
petitor, to trail in his rear, and surren-
der bis resistance TO the proposed mea-
sures of safssncklseMent. BY his acts,
not less than his manly speeches in this
behalf, be has already crowned the work
Of redemption. The coming six months
viii witness its formal completion.
For this, By is entitled 10 the sincere
gratitude and the ardent and unanimous
support Of the Democrats and Conservs-
tives of Tennessee. Under rigorous laws
committed 70 him for execution, he held
the issues OF enfyan ehissmsnt and dis
Reimbursement. 1t was in his option to
will it either way. Without prompting
or solicitation from them, be generously
and graciously chose the liberal part.
He could have elected himself Governor
as bis predecessor did. Under no state
of the sass, st sny time, hss there been
the remotest probability that General
Stokes or any other competitor, could
have defeated him. Had be seen fit to
force registrars to bis purposes, he could
have secured his election, if the entire
voting strength of the Conservatives bad
supported bis eonpetitor. The power
remaining 10 his hands. even after the
Brownsville decision, left him master Of
the situation. 1t was a case 10 which
possession was full nine points in the
law. He had but to decree that the
partisan and personal uses for which
the FRANCHISE Law OF ~ was in
tended, should be continued, and the
Conservative party Of Tennessee would
still be in hopeless minority, and being
ground between the Radical factions as
BY the upper and neither millstones,
while the disfrsnchised oitisens would
be utterly and helplessly in tie slough Of
despond. The sure prospect Of early
regeneration and disintbrslIment is due
chiefly 10 the broad, wise, and liberal
craftsmanship which Gov. Senter has ex.
hibited. A Radical of the strsitest sect
for q time, be has nobly emancipated
himself from the shackles Of prejudice.
Upon the question Of responding TO this
manly conduct, it will not do for them
so deeply Indebted, to pause to consider.
We do not believe they will. Indeed,
we know Of no reluctance or hesitancy
having been manifested But cognl
can't, as we are, Of all the facts, and con
scious Of ogr obligations, We feel II TO be
duty TO urge our friends, With alscrity
and in solid phalanx, to rally to his sup