Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-04

taking ground in his speech here
tomorrow in favor of the next
Legislature making provision. for
the calling of a convention for the
purpose of amending the franchise
law SO as TO confer the right of
suffrage on the white men of Ten
nessee. We do not know what
truth there is in this rumor, but
this we do know, that Stokes has
been to Washington to consult the
leading Radicals there. touching
the programme he shall lay down
for the canvass he proposes to open
in that speech. II is known that
most of the leading Radicals of the
country are in favor Of the imme-
diate acknowledgements of the
white taxpayers of this State,
while such extreme Radical
papers as the New York Tribune,
Chicago Tribune, Cincinnati Ga
zette and st. Louis Democrat have
come out decidedly in favor of the
measure. It is not at ali improbable
that Stokes has, drawn Inspiration
from these sources, and that he win
return with a much more liheral
policy than he wassupposed capable
of advocating. 1t viii be remem-
bered that he surprised both Dem
ocrats and Radicals in his speech
here a few weeks ago in reply
to President j ohnson, by coming
out for the early enfranehisement
of those "Rebels" who had CON
Quoted themselves with propriety
by showing themselves law abiding
citizens. His organ, the Press and
Times, asserted only the other day
that Stokes position is that cen
franehisement must he gradual, and
those who have properly demeaned
| themselves by remaining at
home and attending to their
own affairs have claims upon
the Republican party" Lead
ing Radicals outside the State are
urging Stokes to take position in
favor ofthe Immediate enfranchise-
ment of the white taxpayers, and
there is reason to believe that lead
ing Radicals, have privately urged
him to make this the main issue Of
the canvass. We all know thai
Stokes is shrewd politician, and
that he has gone into this race to
win. He finds that his competitor
is dallying as to the course he viii
pursue, and Stokes may have deter
mined to make a bold strike which
he feels assured will secure his cleo.
ton. If he takes the ground in biz
speech tomorrow which rumor
says it is probable he will, it i
needless to say that he will take thu
wind out of his competitors sailt
to very great extent. Gov. SenteI
hasshown a timidity in this canvass
which has surprised many of hi
warmest political friends, who have
seen from the start that his chances
of success lay in a policy that
would receive the support of at least
large portion of the Democrats
whose strength has been very con-
siderably augmented by the recent
decision of the Supreme Court. In
stead of taking any step in that di.
rection, he and his friends permit
the Stokes organ here, (tho Pres,
and Timcs,) to represent him at
saying that at will be a long time
before the DISTINGUISHED are admit
ted TO the ballot box" Stokes is +;
bold operator; he appreciates th'
Importance Of securing portion
of the Democratic vote, especially
since the decision of the Supreme
Court, and it need surprise nobody
if he enunciates in his speech TO
morrow a much more liberal policy
toward the disfranchised than b,
has heretofore been suspected 0
favOring. lie has become satisfied
there is little doubt, that this is th'
| policy to win, and he will not b.
slow at leading off Senter on thi
| line. ..... ...... ....