Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-01
PURLIC LEDGER.
FREE ELECTION.

The Banner, of Nashville, in an edi-
torial of some length, replies to the Press
and Times on the subject of free cleo
t;ou. the same we had occasion to refer
to few days since, in reply to the Union
and american of that city.
That our readers may have correct
idea of the question at issue, and to
understand clearly the position OF our
contemporary, we give his own language,
of April Both, which is as follows:
"The oath prescribed by the Conven-
ton of January, 1865, called under the
auspices of Andrew johnson, and whose
action was inspired by him, was NOT an
oath intended TO inhibit men from Young
on account Of acts done in the rebellion.
On the contrary, it's surplus There was
GOOD deal of it) verbiage was an invita-
tion 10 men who had sympathised with
the Confederate movement, TO renounce
such views, and Oh the basis OF renew
al alleoiance to the Government, re-
orpauize the State. 1t would have been
an absurdity for men who did not desire
such reorganization under the Federal
Constitution to have voted and 1t was
properly made condition that they
should avow such desire under the sane
tion Of an oath. They were solicited to
40 40. and the door was thrown open to
ali. Therefore the election of February
90 and March a., 1865, was, in every
sense Of the word, a free election.
By casting our minds eye back to q
few short years, the results Of which now
creep over the soul Of our body polite
chilling into torpidity that very life
which would have otherwise, on glorious
piniens, sored to realms of prosperity
and greatness, we can in moments
view see the exact history of the times.
T. will be remembered by every one
who were capable of noting the rapid
changes that we're taking place in this
country in the year 1865, how it was and
TO whom we are indebted for our present
State government The war had not
ceased in January, 1865, but was still
raging with all its fury, and OF doubtful
termination. A Convention was called
through the agency of Andrew johnson,
then Military Governor of this State,
which Convention was understood, and
did propose amendments to the Constr
tuition, that only received the ratification
of one-ffth of the citizens of the State.
This is the occasion which our Nashville
contemporaries term the last free cleo
ton in Tennessee" This was several
months, as we said, before hostillties
ceased, and the oath then could not have
been, in reason, intended to prohibit
men from voting, for acts done in the
rebellion, when the war had not termi-
mated. But this same oath did re-
quirs everything Of the doubtful
voter at the time that could be
asked, and that was that be should
swear to being an active friend OF the
Government of the United States, and
the enemy of the sO-called Confederate
States; that the applicant ardently de-
sired the suppression Of the rebellion
and sincerely rejeiced in the triumph o
the army and navy Of the United States
This was true, as stated by the Nashville
Banner, not intended to prevent mel
from voting for acts done, because it wa
well understood that the men who wer
supporting and carrying on the rebellion
we're at that time South, and coul
not, from that reason and the IN
Prevention Of Federal bayonets, com
forward and do so. But it was II
tended, If possible, to make gu
friends stulhfy their conscisuces or I
swear falsely to degrade themselves L
the eyes of heaven and their fellows, an
only for the poor privilege of voting o
the Suggestions of military usurpel
II to renew our allegiance to a Govern
ment at the cost Of honor aud denial {
every act Of four eventful years that col
stitute our glorious past be required b
Mr.. johnson, why. then as now, our pc
ple would prefer to reusin away fro
the polls.
We did not object after the war, NJ
even some did not during the war,
swear passive allegiance to the Uoite
States Government; bat TO say th
they we're active friends Of the old go
eminent, and sincerely desired the ca
preston Of the rebellion, was sskir
more than a brave and constellation
people would comply with. This is u
open door thrown vide 10 rebels By A
drew Johnson, but thank God, there We
few Who dishonored themselves BY ente
ing.
The disfranchised nov, Is then. ca
10 forward and swear falsely. and by~l
doing get from the registrar 8 certi6ca
to vote. There is adherence, althOuG
between then and now, as under Il
original law, men we're invite
TO come forward and f5rsWesr then
selves. and il was regarded ns props
Now under the late law, il apariy shou