Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-28
TExNEssEE AND CONGRESS

We ara not taken aback 10 the attempt
to reconstruct Tennessee by On act OF
Congress. The notorious cait-killee
threatened the like when the people iailea
20 elect him Governor over his opponent
DsWitt Senter. We. however, rather
regard things as having come to pretty
pass when we rebels are not permitted
TO take sides in dog fight. II our
canine has succeeded in getting on top
it is not grave matter OF MISFORTUNE
and will rot affect anybody outside
What has Congress to do with our domes-
tic imbroglio2 If the law of the State
has been disregarded, then it is the duiy
Of our courts to look to the matter. IL
the fact can be shown that Governor
Senter was illegally. elected, We VIII
favor putting him out, aud having
a new election throughout the State.
We will uphold the law, and not hesitate
to stand by it's DEGREES, when we know
what tbs. The correct way of reaching
the bottom of the difficulty between
Stokes aud Senter would be to have an
investigation before proper law tribu-
nal. Congress has no authority to in
ouire into case Of election frauds in this
State no more than under like circum-
stances if the State Of New York or
Ohio were involved. Tennessee, by
electing Governor Senter lit may be
by fraud), has violated no relation en-
tered into with the General Government
If an offense has been created, then the
people of the State are only effected
thereby. The majority ask no relief
from Congress. The minority are guar
anteed the same rights and privileges that
are enjoyed and exercised by the major
ity And this being the case, wherein has
the present state of affairs borne hardly
upon any one2 Col. Stokes rises to his
feet on the floor of Congress. and replies
that he would have been Governor OF
Tennessee but for the course OF one
Dewitt Senter, who permitted every free
man in the State, twehty-one years old,
to vote on the Gay Of the gubernatorial
election. For this reason, and that
alone, he prays Congress to reverse the
action of the people and turn the State
out of the Union.
Our Washington news is that Tennes-
see will be hanled over the Goals and
made to retrace her steps; that Cooper,
the newly elected Senator, will not be
permitted 10 take his seat. and the Legis'
Iature Of the State compelled to repeal
the call for Constitutional Convention.
IL this cannot be effected. the whole dele
CATION 10 both Houses of Congress, in
GLIDING Brownlow, will be expelled. SO
far IS the latter is concerned, we
think the threat ought to be carried out
Immediately. We refer to the eK-
pulsion of Brownlow and bis miserable
confederates in office, Who disgrace the
people they would dare to represent
Now, as to Congress pursui utsueh
course with this State, we doa9Isihs it
will dare 90 so far. II, however, the
Rump should be so entirely regardless of
the laws and tho Constitution as to per-
form such an unheard Of deed, thea We
may look for worse things to be done IN
the Government Il will be q step for
ward that cannot be easily retraced-
The act will be one Of decided revolution,
which cannot be gainsaid or covered up
BY petty excuses. We say let the thing
be done. The people Of the South are
now prepared for any and every. emsr.
gency that may be created BY q set OF
traitors in Congress