Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-12-04
NEGRO SUFFRAGE.

Editors Appeal: With considerable eff
fort, I waded through that pOnderous ed
itorial Of the AUaL0nchs Of Thursday last,
wherein it is attempted to be shown that
the Democratic or Conservative party has
heretofore everlastingly committed itself
to negro suffrage, and therefore cannot
consistently ego back on them" Ali OF
US remember the time and the eircGm-
stances, without being reminded of them.
The Radical party was then in power
| had supreme control of the State EXecu-
tive, Legislative and Judicial. In order
to insure (as they thOught) their perma-
nent control, they ~enfranchised the negro,
and thereby swelled their popular vote
immensely. Fondly thinking that the
negroes retained some of the old feeling
I for their former masters and friendsrcnte
beXum, the Democratic party, during the
campaign of 1867, appealed TO them to
assist in throwing on the shackles i'm
posed on all COnfederates for their partici-
pation in the war. Everything was done
that honorable men could do to enlist
their aid and sympathy for the disfran-
chised. Promises, of course, we're made,
IL they assisted TO do this, to not disturb
their rights or privileges. What was the
result2 By referring to the city papers
for the returns of the election OF 1867, IN
this city we find the huge number OF
ninety-seven cOlOTed votes for the Demo-
CraIs. anu All the resi- AOE lnt Asa0ACdA1.
The Conservatives were still under the
heel Of Radicalism worse than ever.
Brownlow elected Governor by nearly
three 10 one, and the Legislature almost
unanimously Radical.
Another year elapses, the Presidential
canvass is coming on, the welfare of the
nation Is at stake. Again, the Demo-
cratic party eDdeavOr TO obtain the vote
Of the negro. AudI feel obliged to the
Hs~T1IaEa Of Gnnanu ranpnfnr in ito GaG-
ond ponderous article, for giving me an
argument. II seem that the Democratic
Convention at Brownsville august 10,
ISGS), adopted as follows:
ReSoEUed, That if the freedmen of this
State unite with the Democracy, and by
their votes secure the acknowledgements of
the white men who are now disfranchised,
common justice and common gratitude
demand nat We should not disturb them
in any rights they may now possess.
Notwithstanding ali, the Democrats
never did sanction the spirit of that reso-
luton; still great efforts were made TO
obtain the colored vote.
As the AUGtdHehs states, two grand
demonstrations were made by the Democ-
racy In August and September, TO which
the cOlOr9d men were invited, and actual
" participated. All remember the ap-
pearance Of the "COlored Paving Club"
with their tar-kettles, etc. Speeches were
made 10 The same effect, as the resolution
ABOVE indicates. Now for the result.
From the AUdLdache's election report 1
hnd eighty-eight cOlored votes for the
Democratic ticket, and 1893 colored votes
for the Radical ticket. Truly, the "moun-
tain labOred and brought forth a mouse"
We all remember how the Radical papers
tainted US for trying to bride the uncor-
rupted loyal colored voters.
Now, sir, the Brownsville resolution
promised that "if the freedmen unite
with the Democracy etc, common
justice and common gratitude demand
that we should not disturb them in any
rights they may now possess" The ne
gro received the proffer, and went with
his Radical leaders almost unanimously.
Remembering their course during those
two campaigns, the Conservatives, during
the last one for G~OvernOr) made no prom
ises, wei knowing that from the negro
nothing could be expected. Fortune IA
vored them by the split among the Radi-
Gals; they took advantage Of it, and by
the = mastery activity F." of no candidate
Of their own for Governor, they swept the
field, for the Legislature, without prom
ises or obligations to anybody. After
vainly -endeavOring, during two cam
to win the aid ofthe colored vote,
they went into the third one unpledged.
a consequence, suffrage in Tennessee
will be as it was under the Constitution OF
lS34-for Ehite men only. I might prove
to YOU that the law enfranchising the ne
groes was passed tuc0BStitua0HGIiy by the
Radicals, when in extremity and as a last
resort, but it is hardly necessary at pres
emit. CAUCASIAN.