Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-10-13

. / restore all eltlzeih 10 theiT tlHnNS ~
privileges.
He saws he regards the enfranehisemen
of the cOlored people as fixed fact i
Tennessee; the right of suffrage havin
already been conferred upon them, and
is not to be believed that it will be take
from them by those now in power in Con
vention.
He adverts to the XVth Amendment, a
follows: What, then, are the purposes
as far as this race is concerned-of tn
proposed amendment to the Constitution
OF the United States3 Not to eonfe
special immunities, or compel any so
cisl = equality of the coloret
people against the will and consento
Others, but only protect them against be
ing deprived Of privileges against theii
own consent, and afford them the right o
citizenship and equality before the law
in every part of the land, and to imply
| extend and secure them the same priv
fleges in Ohio and Massachusetts which
they enjoy in Tennessee. 1t is claimed
that their degradation would render them
as citizens dangerous to the public
/
interests; and may it not well be
/ inquired will not the evil be
| aggravated rather than diminished
by adding degradation and denying
opportunity of Improvement? 1t is
charged that by their ignorance they are
not entitled to a voice in the election of
those who make the laws they must
Ill oL,,- ar1 Co. rha x-ioIafion of
which they are held 10 an equal liability.
Does not this strike at the whole idea of
reciprocal obligations and rights funda-
mental to this Republic? I know that it
is urged with vehemenee that colored
suffrage and equality in citizenship are
repugnant to the American people,
and that it is even opposed by a
large mass of the Northern States; but
| submit to candor if this is not the cry of
party rather than the voice of the coun-
try, spoken through its lawfully cOnsti-
tuted authorities aye, and of party
which, let it be deliberatelypo pondered, has
little cause for its honor to crave balance
sheet of advantages and disasters its coun-
sells have brought 10 the people Ofthis and
other Southern States. Impartial justice-
will demand the proof of the charges
which may be brought to degrade
race, the future of which, with
out agency on their part, are iden-.
titled with the land; nor will be
satisfied with less than the demOnstra-
ton of experience. If measures of expe-
diency need be added to those of prinei-
pie, then if the objections urged to col
ored citizenship be founded in truth, may
not those who are Immediately charged
with the interests of the State where it
exists, nationally and rightly, protest
against the concentration of the evil upon
them to the exemption of States where it
does not exist? If the intelligence of
ibis race be insufficient to sualify it for
: H.. 1ship 1t will yet be found enough
citiz vent a change of domicil from
t.sre the advantages are enjoyed to
Where they are denied; and further, the
Congress of the United States has, by a
decided majority, finally proposed the
amendment in question as part of the
policy of the Government, and l am
impressed with the belief that it would,
under existing conditions, be peculiarly
fortunate that this State should accept
and ratify it: First, under the conserved
obligations of many of the Northern peo-
pie, if not the mass, that they should, for
reasons unnecessary to dwell upon, secure
the colored people against apprehended
dangers. Much may depend on the
action of Tennessee as to the time and
conditions for the restoration of the other
Southern states and their people to their
former respective relations with the gem
erai Government, which were identified
with her in ber past sufferings, and yet
have not been equally fortunate y in re-
gaining their advantages as States in the
Union. And, again, there are many
worthy men in Tennessee who labor un-
der disabilities imposed 5y Congress, and
which consequently our State laws ape in
adequate to reach; and, Joined 70 all this,
the State itself is in an exhausted condi-
tiOn, and has the most serious cOmplica-
tiOns with the general GOyernmet in its
railroad and other important material in
terests, and the adoption Of the amend
ment by Legislature more thoroughly
representative of her whole people than
any fortune has afforded since the war,
would at once tend to inspire confidence
with the Northern people, and awake a
friendly intsreat In Congress, and per-
haps win the strong helping hand Of the
general Government in Our many geuts.
Profoundly impressed with these con-
siderations, and by the eInphatie declara-
ton Of the people OF Tennessee, at their
last election, for Manhood Equality before
the law andin political privileges, l would
be recreant to my own conscience and to
nv convictions Of the public interest, did
1 fail TO most earnestly but respectfully
recommend the proposed amendment for
ratification by your honorable body"
On the subject Of finances and railroads
GOV. Senter says: - L am sincerely grati-
bed at the thorough unanimity with
which the members Of your body have in
personal conferences pronounced against
the disregard Of our public debt, aud le-
clared tor its payment to the
last cent, principle aud interest.
While my own convictions have
ever been answering, that this would at
all times be the sentiment Of the people of
Tennessee, yet it is extremely gratifying
to be assured Of such action on your part
IS will tend to promptly advance our
public credit and attach first value to
our securities. Mortality shrinks from
the grave not more than capital in it's
sensitiYeness viii shun State which has
once dishonored itself by a disregard of
its financial obligations, and without capi-
tai, the Industries which builds farms into
thriving villages, and villages into cities,
can never flourish. The revenues Of the
state are derived by the tax
alton Of property according to Valup.
The acres Of farming land converted into
thriving villages or business city lots, in
creases the State revenue and resources
by thousands and millions. Aside, then,
from all considerations of honor. repHdia-
tion is an absurdity. With a return, un-
der economy, TO our average annual ex-
penses preceding the war in the state
proper, 30 saving about S40O, 600, 900, With
largely increased revenues from the
polls by universal acknowledgements,
with all causes for State Guards
and other extraordinary expenses by
the State forever removed, l trast. |