Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-02
MORE "FIxED" FACTS.

when the aQVOchtob VI ucBio
do happen to put grain of argument
in a bushel of chaff, and it is sifted out
we generally find the undeniable asser'
ton that Virginia and other Southern
States have ratified the Fifteenth Amend
ment, which included the broad plank OF
negro suffrage. This argument might
deceive the unwsry eye, but is only q
grain of smut after al and easily pulver'
lied, The fact is too wsll-known to be
dwelt upon that these States accepted
negro suffrage only when it was forced
on them. They had no choice in
the matter. The people thought they
could endure negro voting better than
the petty rule of military tyrants, and
they were permitted to go through the
mockery of holding elections. The offer
made to them was equivalent to that OF
the white man to the Indian when ne
said. "You take the buzzard and l will
take turkey, or will take turkey and you
the buzzard--tske your choice" The
people had niger offered them in the
same spirit, and the bsyonet ives pointed
at their hearts. They took Niger; but
they did rot relish it, and never will.
They were out Of the Union, and &C.
cepted the desperate alternative thrust
before them in hopes Of lettering their
condition.
The condition of Tennessee is alto
pether different. We are in the Uoion
and Of it, No second lieutenant usurps
the sacred ermine. No bayonets menace
our women and children. Tennessee is
as free as New York or Ohio, or Massa-
chusetts. There is no penalty hanging
over ua, to intimidate the weak or deter
the strong. Every voter is free to de-
post his ballot, and the Constitutional
Convention will have an unlimited right
to overhaul ell the war measures and par
tissn bedging-in that disgraces our
ststuts records; and it will be done. The
people are saying little and thinking &C.
lively. We believe that the County Con.
yention, next Saturday, will nominate q
white mans ticket, and that the action
thus taken will be applauded and in
dorsed all over the State where Radical
mi
ism is not in the ascendancy. The
people have endured much, patiently
and hopefully. The day of deiverance
is nigh, when they will throw off the
woke and assume the normal control
of their own glorious destinies.
Another very contemplate grain Of
smut which is found in the universal
chef granary takes the form Of threat.
1t is calculated to affect only the consti-.
tutional coward and craven. Here is
the precious gem: "Thus viii universal
suffrage be fixed upon the people
it was fzed irrsvocably fixed, yester-
day, but it seems that they have to keep
firing it Overland those who have
vainly and facetiously opposed it, and
wantouly abused the poor negro, might
as we'll commence digging their political
graves, for no man in Shelby county can
be elected to any Office who has four
thousand colored votes arrsyed against
him"
That sort Of a threat may answer its
purpose with few hungry ofice-seekers
who would be glad &c get 6 half a loaf
from any party, but the masses Of people
will treat it with contempt and defiance.
1t sppIies to few if any in the ranks of
this Democratic party. The people are
not ell effice-seeksrs, and. fortunately,
those who are such by trade have little
influence. But the four thousand colored
voters are instructed to watch events, and
learn who are their friends, and REMEMBER
il at futuA eIectiopsl