Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-24
M &c M II H 1 ~
saturday Evening. April "a. lsoS.
HUMPING AT EVERYTHING.

Our Nashville contemporary. the ne
publican Banner, in an article headed
dumping at conclusions" says that we
were badly hoaxed by the publication OF
Governor Senter's speech, as reported BY
the Huntsville Vidette. Notvery badly,
as we expressed doubt at the time' oil
its authenticity; but then, it afforded On
opportunity for an expression of views
and discussion Of question IN which
was involved the final greatness OF the
State and the future prosperity of the
people.
The Banner says its silence on the sub
iect at the time should have been warn
ing that there was catch about the
publication. That, dear Banner, is not
ALWAYS an invariable sign with you, as
far as the public have been enabled to
Judge Of your course. Your smartness
might be accounted somewhat like the
how whose mother sent him to town to
buy pound of sugar, but before going
his mother gave, as she thought, some
very motherly advice, and that was--if he
talked too much while gone people might
regard him deficient ia good sense. The
very obedient youth, on his return from
he city, informed his mother that he had
not said word while gone, and yet peo-
pie thought him a fool because be had
not. The application of the simple story
and the everyday course of the Banner
is easily made. If the editor OF this
paper becomes very loquacious he in
variably makes q mistake, and If, on the
contrary, an important occasion arises
and he don't give his reasons, why peo-
ple remark that be does not know what
to ssy.
The article, as published in the Vidette,
had gone through several papers before
commented on by the LEDGER; and we
yet think our suggestions on the subject
the best that have been made, and could
not be answered by the Banner.
That paper, which was never accused OF
having set of principles, but has the
peculiar faculty Of jumping backwards
as we'll as forwards, of lying around
loose, and spreading itself out, in order,
no doubt, TO be able to extend friendly
hand to both sides of all questions, says,
after quoting the language of the LEDGER,
few days since, in which we said that
we we're for Senter for Governor, should
he enfranchise the people Of this State:
What need 10 suggest better if as
good a one could be producedf The
man must suggest himself. The disfran.
chised will certainly not put in any sug-
gestion, for suggestions from them would
not be regarded. Ii is not in the power
of the present incumbent to enfran-
chise the thousands of enslsved white
men," If elected. That is the work of
the General Assembly. What reasons
have our Memphis friends for believing
that Stokes might not be as literally dis
posed in the premises as Senterf
That we, the enslaved, would not have
suggestion if the entire people were en-
frauchised, is laughable to contemplate,
coming from so shretod paper as the
Nashville Banner. The gentleman can
not suppose that we, the people Of this
State, will ever be enfranchised, and from
that reason he says we have 40 right to
put in suggestion. We will see what
we will see when the day comes.
Then again, this very smart and
shrewd sheet says: 1t is not in the
power Of the present incumbent to en-
franchise the thousands OF enslaved white
men, if elected" We propose that he
do that little thing before going into
ofice-thst il be condition precedent
ia the contest for election-and by doing
so, be may secure the Office Of Governor.
But our cotemporary again opens his
eyes and says that the Governor has no
power to alter the law. That we all
know, even il the enactment can &C
much as be accounted law, which il
extremely doubtful. We see q very sim
pie remedy should the Governor regart
the enactment as wrong and unconstitu
tienal. That is TO instruct the Regis
trars throughout the State to issue GER
tiicatss freely to all who are to thu
manor born, and compel it to be done
if necessary. 10 that event it would b
seen how soon the collapsed condition
Of affairs 10 this State would regain tbei
wonied health.
Bot one would say that would be Il
violation Of the law. Well, we hold tha
the present DISTINGUISHING enactment ]
no Law, and no one is bound BY it. Iii
q plain violation Of every right Of tn
citizens Of this State, enacted for the pur
nose alone of keeping in Office the car
pe,-bsg thieves and vsgAbOnds who COM
hiiher to plundsr. There can be nOthinI
wrong, friends. in expelhpg the rObbei
from your house BY any means that may
be ct hand when your life and property
are At his disposal .e
Ia rresent goVerpors OF the people il