Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-21
PUBLIC LEDGER.
OUR POLICY.

election is to send men TO the Legislature
who we know to be reliable, and who VIII
at once 90 about the work of repeating
the unjust and unequal laws passed by
former Legislative bodies of this State.
Our condition is such now that We can
we'll afford to 90 into the contest for pre-
cadence in the next General Assembly,
and say to our opponents that it is time
the true men of the country should con-
troll it's destinies.
We are not in favor of ostracizing any
class of white men in the State who
shall vote to free us from the disiranchis-
ing shackles. Oar object, mainly, is to
elect members TO the next General As
sembly about whom there will not be
shadow of doubt as to their redeeming
the pledges made to the people. The
,rue citizens who have contributed to the
wealth and greatness of the State should
be those selected to do the work OF I'M
tying our hands. If the Radical policy
az proclaimed by the two candl'
dates in the field, is carried ont
then we could not look for relief to
the oppressed of our people for four OF
six years to come. What is required in
the future is quick action and prompt
remedies applied 10 our emsciated and
wasted body polite. The thing OF set
ting the State again on its legs is easily
accomplished, provided the proper mel
are intrusted with the work. We want
M go-betweens or weakened milk-and'
water men, who have not the capacity
and the determination to- do all things
ueedful in restoring our affairs again te
healthy condition.
1t is not the offices we want, but the re
peal of obnoxious laws and the enact
ment of others which will again bring NJ
the blessings Of peace and protection Bn
how shall we 90 about this work, which
is 90 much surrounded with conditions
and requirements by the Constitution tha
we now live under2 1t is true that &C
cording to the present Constitution o.
the State, we are not authorized to MAKE
amendments to that instrument oftenel
than once in six years; but who will dar'
say the people have not right to DO al
they deem best at all times, in altering Of
abolishipg constitutions and laws tina
may govern them.
10 tits Government of ours, the powel
of governing has been supposed to reside
with the people, and whatever they maj
do there is no other sovereign authority
in the land which may question such &C
ton or command otherwise. The actor
of one Convention cannot SO tie up AM
estop any other Convention Of the peopl
from undoing what was done. An ind
vidual having the power TO perform Ger
tain thing, cannot in reason say tina
when have performed the deed it shal
thereby preclude me from ever undoinI
what has become clearly to my interes
and inclination to abrogate." Th
people, from whom all sovereign powe
in this Government. eliminates, can q
any time, regardless of their former &C
ton, 20 into convention and amend o
abolish any or all of the organic laws Q
the State. Itwould be folly to say that
people could, by their own doings, so ii
their hands as not to be able to reliev
themselves from a clause of the Consti
tuition, or a law, which, after adopted
was found not to be in harmony with th
first principles Of our Government The
il is clearly the right of this people
have q Constitutional Convention at an
time they may see proper, and the actio
of which, when ratified by msjority
citizens, becomes a part Of our organ
structure, that all must recognize az
obey. II a majority are desireus
change in the Constitution of Il
State, let the first action Of Il
next Legislature be to designate Il
time of holding an election for met
bers to the convention that may or mt
not meet, as the result Of which electiC
will prove. But it is contended III
the Legislature has no such authorit
and ell acts OF that kind would be {
sumptious of power. That may be ir
in enc sense, bat should the people,
electing members to that ConveutiC
raiify the enactment Of the Legislaiu
it then would be law which none cot
dispute.
We suggest this mode Of procedu
from the fact that our Legislature is I
only recognized agent in the Staie,dire
" from the people, who could appear
having such authority. IL this plan
adopted BY the next General Ascend
then we shall look for a spec
relief from the ills we bear, and bril
future will ct once open up to our vie
90 long obscured BY disappointment
If Governor Senter aud Gene