Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-08-13

political helm, which they are incapa-
bic of managing either for their own
profit or that of the white race? The
resolution itself was conditional. Has
that condition been complied with?
And even if it had, who is boundby it
but a few men unauthorized against
the platform Of their own party (Which
was for a white mans government to
give pledges in the name of the whole
people?
Is ii replied that the election of SEN
TER has determined the matter? The
election of SENTER determines moth
ing bat this, that the people of Ten
nessee have chosen n Of two Radi-
cal candidates, both of whom hap
pened to be for universal suffrage, and
at a time when, by reason Of the dis
reimbursement of eighty thousand
freemen, they were unable to choose
their own. The election of SENTER
only proves that when the people saw
no certainty of electing their real
choice they consented of two evils to
choose the least. Will any man rea-
sonably pretend that all the views OF
SENTER have been endorsed, and that
the people are bound to all his Radi-
cal policies, negro suffrage included?
We cannot concur in such view, and
the meeting of the Legislature will,
We think, very conclusively attest the
contrary.
The question of negro suffrage is
yet an open one, except that it is an
existing fact, accepted by the people,
as not to be unIawfulIy infringed.
But the State has not, by its fair
vote of all its people, given
its voice in favor of such
an extension of the franchise as wise,
polite or expedient, as patriotic, as
sound in craftsmanship, as expedient
or for the good of the races, white..or
black. The question whether the
franchise should remain as it is or be
enlarged or restricted is n for the
philosopher and the statesman, for
the good citizen and the lover Of coun-
try. vet to be determined. The
fifteenth amendment has not been
adopted, and never will be, except by
the force of the bayonet compelling a
portion of the States, which, when
once set free, may think again and
rectify what all experience has so far
gone to show is an atrOciOus evil.
Besides, the question is an open one
for adjudication before the courts Of
the States and the Supreme Court of
the United States. Anterior to that
decision can the matter be considered
as finally settled? On the contrary,
in view of the fact that the measure is
one born of radicalism, which is near
its end and unable to ear it to matu-
rity, and in view of the fact that it has
not been pronounced on by the COM
petent authorities, by the Judiciary
or by the States, is it not plainly evil
dent that the m%ischievous dilution Of
sovereignty has not yet been engrafted
on the permanent policy of this ma
ton?
1.-THE question had been fairly set
tied it should be set at rest. We are
not Of those who would revive Obso-
lete issues to disturb society. We are
willing to accept and abide by all law
full decisions, when they have once
been made. But we protest against
helping to fasten an injurious policy,
on the country by treating it as settled
in advance of the event, or influencing
to silence, when the question being
still an open one, it is a fair subject
for reflection, for inquiry and debate.
If it has been settled in some sort of
radical and hideous shape, as seems by
some to be supposed, it has been set
tied against reasOnCand against right.
The very press which affirms the de-
cisiOn has nOtadvanced the arguments
on which that decision rests. We
have heard Of a judge who always
gave right decisions, and, also, always
wrong reasons for them. But the adj
vOcates Of negro suffrage have no rea-
sons to give. They do not even be-
lieve it right, and dare not rise TO the
dignity Of giving reasons at all. The
only possible reason which a be
given is that of party interest and pol
icy, and that is so doubtful that the
very Radicals themselves who have
esSayed it, have always shrunk
from the utterance-if we except those
who have been flung up as the scum
of the war, and whose responsibility
for their opinions is on a par with the
value of those they entertain. Is it
not strange that a matter of so grave
importance as this should be treated
as settled and fixed permanently as an
institution of the American States,
even before it has undergone the Or
deal Of common discussion? That
may accord with the bayOnet, but it
does not suit freemen or free institu-
lions.
To u friend of the AgG1onche, who
was the first to raise the banner of
Universal Suffrage, be all the glory.
SENTER is elected with his help, but
not by him alone. If SENTER should
prove a bad Governor, OF he should
ever be able to see from the argument
that negro suffrage is baneful to the
American people, we hope he will
come over to our side. We shall only
deal with this subject as an open ques-
ton, and while it remains one. We
are too conservative to disturb any
beneficial and settled institution.
THE "0ld Folks" of Memphis
yesterday observed their anniversary
by a picnic at Bartlett. The attend