The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-06-01
ahe sssue I'm Tennessee...(,eea A.
vice to Virginia Ratsfc.I.

from the Chicago Tribune RadIcab
pI III the state of Tennessee there are two
oS o Tn candidates for Governor. One
o ~ .,es 81, Is Colonel W. b. Stokes, and the
Tho en-. .mc present. acting Governor Senter.
Dat IN this contest the chances are that th5
canaidate having the support of the Dcmn-
Gratis will be elected. WIG D'iiio-
Inc diierence between the two oo,d;
uIeS Is not wholly personal: il extends r.
pol.ilcal matters rs well. Colonel Stakes
represents the eXtrcmists--tbe men who
an';alnS got The negro population enfran-
.n is. ana invested with the same political
lIMllcSes as the whites, and having got the
C cn former rebel population disqualified
,lo!li Young and holding office, insist upon
ncntly. 'e' ''i iii'-
ne represents the faction which will not,
(. Tolerate the cN-rebcls as voters, and which
scouts ana rejects universal suffrage con-
rlcu with universal amnesty. Governor
>chtcr represents that portion of the party
winch proposes to relax the disfranchisc-
hcnt which followed the war, and. with
suffrage secured to the freedman, contem-
plates the restoration of the same privilege
10 tne white population, without reference
I" the rebellion. In this policy he is sus-
tanned by Governor Brownlow, who, in his
gay, mas been rs extreme as any person in
me STATE III his rigorous treatment of the
rcbelS, but who now thinks that the peace
ana prosperity of the whole people NAV be
best promoted hy equality of political rights.
Looking at the question from national
point oil view, we cannot forbear saying that
Governor Scntcr represents the better pol
icy. TO pro!ong the political punishment of
the rebels Is neither wise nor Just. They
constitute large portion of the people of
tennessee. Thousands of their sons have
reached manhood since the close of the war.
and annually there arc large additions to the
number, who feel the Acknowledgement of
their relatives and friends kccny, and resent
it as personal outrage. While the disfran-
chiscmcnt continues thc eX-rebels and their
friends must regard themselves, in the COLI
temptation Of law, as alien enemies in their
native State, and they will be very likely to
assume the attitude which the law gives
them. Every year of disfranchisement
serves to cmbitter them against the ex-
listing Government, and tends to strengthen
their purpose, when they do get power, TO
retaiatc upon their enemies.
Good policy demands the earliest and most
liberal relaxation of the existing rule. The
Republican party has battled for equality,
and not for the overthrow of one oligarchyy
that another might be set up in its place.
10 amend the suffrage law so as to admit all
the people to the privilege of voting is the
true policy. and the one which commends
itScft TO the judgment of every thinking man
inthe North. It's poSsiblc-indeed, it is al
ready announccd-tlat Senter will get the
votes Of all who favor the enlargement of
the suffrage, irrespective Of party. A dis
ruption of the Republican party in Ten
ncSSec, however unfortunate that may be,
is not the worst that could bcfall the State.
The political rights of the blacks are no
longer dependent upon State law and rcgu-
lation. Even if the Democrats should at
tain power in the State, they could not de-
privc the coored men Of their right to vote
and so long rs the law gives to the freedman
the ballot with which to defend his liberties,
he stands in all respects upon IL political
equality with his countrymen, and must not
expect higher privileges than those which
arc common to all.