Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-26
Cop.titusionaI Convention.

EprroR LvDGrR: In selecting our
agents to make laws, as vel! as those
who frame our Constitution, it bebooves
us to select our purest. ablest and most
experienced citizens. Our laws may be
changed every two years, or oftener, IT
required. But the Constitution is, or
should be, Of . more permanent char
acter, and consequently greater care
should be taken in selecting men to fill
that very responsible position; aud in
doing so we have too much at stake to
be looking around to see who we may
reward for past services, or the bestowal
Of honors on our personal friends. 1t is
no Fourth Of July barbecue or picnic
occasion. in which we may indulge our
idle fancies, prejudices or partialities.
To frame q Constitution, founded on
which laws are to be made for our rule
of action, and perhaps for the govern
ment Of generations to come, is matter
which should at this time engage the
serious thought and attention OF all
good citizens.
In other sections Of the State they are
bringing forward their sblest men. Will
Shelby, the great tax-paying county,with
her men of learning aud Abilities be con-
tent to send to the Convention those who
must necessarily take the lower seats,
or will they select from her long list OF
able and talented jurists such as will
lead instead Of follow-men of genius,
capable of not only voting right, but OF
originating measures and convincing the
minds of others. Let us, therefore,
press into service men not only pure and
patriotic, but of wisdom, unswerviEg in
tegrity and large experience in the work
ipgs of the Constitution and laws; men
whose antecedents are such as will guar.
antee to us the best Constitution; men
who can devise means to secure TO- our
people their rights and liberties. This
done we msy then look around fer legis-
lators to represent the particular inte-
rest of the farmer, mechanic or any
other association.
submit to the candid, thinking mind
whether the premises here assumed are
not sound. Ifso, may not an old citizen,
whose great desire is to secure good
government TO our people, be ex-
cussble for naming two individuals,
whom, he thinks, would serve the true
and best interest of the State if sent to
the Convention? and in doing 80 no dis
mare cement to others is intended
sham G. Harris and W. Fl Stephens are
known to the community as men of
not only true worth in every respect, but
of large observation and experience in
the workings of the constitutions of
many States, and the laws made in pur-
susnce thereof, and would be able to
carve out and cast off the Objectionable
features, and retaining and adding to the |
good.
will further suggest that, whereas, it
is patent to all observing men in Tennes-
see that negro rule has proved destruc-
tive to the best interests of the State, |
that the meetings soon to assemble for
The purpose of choosing delegates to the
convention instruct those
delegates to support no candidate whose
antecedeuts will not give full guarantee
that he is urquslihedly In favor OF the
white men OF Tennessee shaping and
governing the future destiny of the State.
The good and prosperity of every class,
white aaa black, rich and poor, all re.
quire it. PRIVATE
November rs, 1869