Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-11

. III Inc COURSE vi lue Sp66Cu u6 AIluu0U
10 the interrogatories, stating that he
had made declaration to the same effect
in his speech in opening the campaign in
East Tennessee at Cleveland. Thus it
appears there is no difference between
him and Gov. Senter on the proposition
to call q convention Immediately upon
the assembling Of the Legislature to re-
move all political disabilities. ,.s -.f..
What Stokes did really say is
not shown, but the purpose of his
McMinnville organ is to make the
impression that he faVors "immedi-
ate Acknowledgement, and that
"there is no difference between
him and Gov. Senter." There is,
however, very marked differences.
In his speech here on the 9Th of
June, Stokes made this explicit de-
elaration Of his position in reply
to a question addressed him by
''Many Citizens -..
"You ask me if would turn all of
them (the disfranchised) loose at the
| ballot>box2 Unanswered most emphati-
cally, mo. ~ . d
There is no installing that de-
elaration. In that speech he had ex-
pressed himself in favor of the
gradual re- enfranchisement of those
white citizens who had been de-
prived of the right to vote He was
in favor of a convention to author
Use the Legislature to let them in
gradually, SO as not to endanger the
success of the Radical party. But
he declared "most emphatically'
that he was opposed to the imme-
date restoration to their rights of
the disfranchised. In the canvass
in East Tennessee he attempted to
play game of hide and seek on
this issue; favoring a convention
where it was popular, and oppos
ing it where it was not; or as the
Knoxville Wing felicitously ex
presses it, he appears to have suf-
frage as some men have the chills,
on alternate days, with now and
then an irregular interval that may
be longer or shorter. On the con-
trary, Gov. Senter declared in his
speech here on the 9th of June, in
reply to Mr.. Stokes, that he was in
favor of the immediate restoration
Of the ballot to every white tax"
payer in the State, and he has re-
peated this declaration at every
place where he has addressed the
people. He leaves no sort Of doubt
as to the position he occupies upon
the leading issue of the canvass.
No man WHO has ears to hear or
eyes to see need be deceived as to
the position of Gov. Senter, while
Stokes is continually shifting his
sails, and his most earnest supporter
cannot tell to-day whether he is
pig or pup. AS evidence of this,
his McMinnville organ, after his
speech there on the 9th inst. de-
clared that he was "for immediate
enfranchisement," and that "there is
no difference between him and Gov.
Senter." Mr.. Lewis Tillman, who
heard Stokes speech, says he stated
that eff be was elected, he would
recommend convention" and this
convention was "to take into con
sideratiOn amendments to the con-
stitution looking to the removal of
political disabilities According
to Mr.. Tillman's understanding, it
was not for immediate enfranchise-
ment. That was Stokes position
enumerated in his Nashville speech.
There is little doubt he sees the
great errorhe committed on the 9Th
of June, and his wavering course
in East Tennessee is sufficient proof
that he would like to abandon that
position, if he could do so with any