Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-12

and happiness, then he could yield 10 the
demand with pleasure. t,ris.fga 8 4
lie said he entertained the highest esteem
Tor his competitor, the acting Governor.
de claimed to be a Republican, like him
self, and in referring to him, he would
remain within the line of legitimate de-
bate. His lSenter'sl record was before the
public, and 10 was his as member of
Congress. Upon the important question
Of the franchise be had no concealment.
he denied that his position was IN the
least doubtful. His competitor's position
sstakento-dsy was Inconsistent with former
and recent declarations. As for him.
self he did not change to suit the
shilling emergencies Of canvass for
Governor. He would not permit his
friend Gen. Stokes to exceed him in mag
aanimity. He might in expressions of
love for The disfranchised people, but he
claimed to be better friend TO the rebels
than Gov. Senler. His policy in regard to
enfFznchisemeni was for the good OF the
country at large. He comprehended them
Che rebels) in its benefits. They had a
stake 10 the security of the government,
State and federal. Ii could better be ms
suited BY q gradual admission Of those who
he'd been in rebellion than by the whole
sale acknowledgment his competitor ia
yoTed -
He here read his letter 10 reply to
Messrs. Thornberg, SingIetary and Welsh,
written January 81, 1859, and said what
were bis opinions then, he reiterated
again, "that when the killing of Union |
men ceases, the hsllish organization of the
Kn-KIux disbanded, etc, then he was
willing TO entertain proposition to amend |
the State constitution 30 as TO allow the
disfranchised to- come in gradually" but |
"the idea of amending the constitution so
as TO place the ballot in the hands of these |
outlaws at one clear sweep, and at the |
present time, would be cruel to the Union |
men, He said he was a Republican and
adhered rigidly to the party platform.
This proposed to liberate persons from |
political disabilities, according to the rule
embodied 10 the fourteenth constitutional |
amendment, viz: by concurrent vote |
of two-thirds of both houses Of Con-
gress. He would therefore, desire that
the next Legislature, by two-thirds vote, 1
should relieve all concerned 10 the rebel
lion, provided they continued to be Of
good conduct until the assemblage Of that |
body, would make special application for
relief and give satisfactory proof Of 10y. /
atty. This was his platform; it was in
print over his own signature. He would 4
not get out Of it if he could, and could not |
il he would lie had been hard on Rebels, /
but they had been hard on him during 1
the war. Men become aliens by their own |
acts men disfrsnchised themselves, aud If 4
he mad the power to give the ballot, he
would not do SO until peace aud harmony 4
we're restored de. here brsnched of into Il
national politics, and said thst after the
war the people had to set promptly, and |
the rule of necessity presented iteelf. la |
order TO preserve the true loyal men, the
franchise law was adopted. He claimed
that because they had been victorious on
the battle field, and at the ballot box, they |
had a right 10 dictate terms. The time
had come when We could be magnsnimous
to portion, bat if you ask if you would
turn all loose, lie would say ne. Suppose
this Legislature had the power TO relieve /
as suggested, he knew one hundred men /
in his county that he woald endorse But |
some will saw, If you LET some ia they /
will lick us next time. No, Ire bad /
a way Of putting down the brakes
when too many offered. If found neces-
sary he could call on Federal troops, not
the white militia lie repeated again that /
be was ON the broad platform Of the Re-
publican party, which never intended 10
keep men always disfranchised, or TO ex-
clude them.
Gen. Stokes proceeded 10 discuss other
matters connected with the administration
Of the State government, and the party /
imbrogliO which had led 10 the competi-
ton between himself and the Governor as
candidates. Nothing new was ELECTED in
these matters by the debate on. either side.
Ia his rejoinder Gov. Senter was doubly
severe in regard TO the Cate-Sharp-Stokes
business, and Gen. Stokes rejoinder were
chiefly confined to a reply and defence.
The audience, so far as your reporter
could observe, seemed about equally d.
yided 10 support of the candidates, snd in
adherence 70 the conflicting positions on
the franchise question. However, as before
stated, il was significant in numbers and
wholly spiritless. As the canvass pro-
crosses, the people may be aroused,
but there are none of the few Of other
days in this campaign thus far. Senler is
understood to favor full enfranchisement as
speedily as it can be brought about, while
Stokes adheres to the gradual policy indi-
Gated in his speech. The difference is
fully appreciated, and men take sides for
the one or the other a. their judgment or
feelings prompt them. y. \.