The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-06-18
Governor Sentcr's Address to the
PeOplc of Tennessee.

l am, by the action of many members
OF the Republican party in every por-
ton of the State, who represented, as
believe, large majority of the Rcpub-
lican party in the State. a candidate for
the Office of Governor, at the next Au-
gust election. In asking the suffrage of
my fellow-citizens deem it proper that
should frankly state to them the prin-
ciples which entertain as an individ-
ual, on which stand as candidate,
and which shall govern me if elected.
.' FRANCHISE. .
The question which most interests
the people of Tennessee at the present
time, and which, in ITSELF is, perhaps,
more pressing and important than any
other, is the elective franchise. On this
subject | am free to say, that, in my
Judgment, the time has come, and is
now, when the limitations and disabili.
ties which have found their way into
our statute books, as the result of the
war, should be abolished and removed,
and the privilege of the elective fran
chise restored and extended so as TO en-
brace the mass of the adult population
of the State. In other words, | am in
favor of so amending the Constitution
and laws of the State that the present
DISTINGUISHING clauses and provisions
shall be made to disappear from tho
same. and the privilege of the elective
franchise made to rest upon the tacAs
and conditions of the present instead of
the past, and upon principals of Impair
TALLY. equality and justice. For fell
ow-citizens, whatever may have been
fhp inns n npn1nnnn ,ppbn,,c
the dictate OF imperative necessity, inn
mediatcly after the war-when the
greater portion of the DISTINGUISHED
people of the State were fresh from the
support and service of the Contedcracv.
to which they had acknowledged and
paid willing allegiance. when in fact
many if not most of them were parol-
ed prisoners of war, and when the dis
position and purpose of the General
Government toward them had not been
KNOWN before civil government in the
state had been fully reorganizcd and re-
stored, and before the peaceful DISPOSE
ton OF the majority of the late rebel
llous people had become apparent
these reasons, amply sufficient then, can
not be urged now, when the civil gov
crnment of the State has been fully re-
stored and firmly established. when
now the General Government has cX-
tended amnesty and pardon to all par
Elephants in the rebellion, and when the
mass Of the disiranchised people of the
State can have no longer hope or pur-
pose of rebellion, are engaged in the
peaceful pursuits of life, bearing fully,
and for the most part chccriully, their
share of the burdens of the Govern
ment, having, from necessity, no inter-
est us citizens save in common with their
enfranchised neighbors, and such as lie
iii the promotion of the common good.
and especially when now the power of
the General Government has been plac-
ed firmly in the hands of its friends,
and the declared policy Of the nation is
that Of acknowledgements, and not of
disfranchiscment. Distlanchisment was
adopted as only q temporary necessity,
of the time, and with no expectation
that it would be long continued; and
there can be no reason for its further
continuance now except in selfish par
tisan ambition to gain office, or a sell
fish partisan fear of losing it. Disilan-
necessarily produces restless
ness and discortent, and, as we have all
seen, engenders animosities, discord and
strife. Enfranchisement will, in my
opinion, heal the animosities which have
divided our people, and bring concord,
peace and prosperity to the State, while
at the same time it is most consonant
with the theory and principles of our re-
publican form Of government and with
the declared policy of the party now in
power
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Another matter in reference to which
| deem it proper that | should declare
my position at the present time, is the
proposed fifteenth amendment to the
Of the United States, which
provides for extending and securing to
our colored fellow-citizens the full
rights Of political equality and citizen
ship throughout every portion of our
country. This amendment will be sub
mtted to the Legislature next TO as
semble, for its adoption or rejection.
shall favor its adoption, believing it to
be dictated by justice, sound policy and
wise craftsmanship. The colorcd peo-
pie OF the United States are largely in
The minority, and against them, there is,
even yet, fear in many portions of
our country too much prejudice, if not
positive animosity. wish to see their
political equality and rights as Ameri-
can citizens recognized by the organic
law Of the land, and so protected by its
terms that it will not be within the
reach or power of any party to disturb
them. Besides, the equality of all men
before the law is the fundamental idea
of our republican government. Its prac-
teal adoption and recognition is Tie Ill
innate fact and necessity of the Govern
ment, and its adoption now will remove
much of the division, discord and dan
ger which will otherwise disturb the !
future. Fears have been expressed that
if the DISTINGUISHED citizens Of Tennes-
see should be again admitted to the
ballot-box and to the possession of po-
litical power, they would endcavor to
use it so as to deprive our colored fell
low-citizens of the political privileges
which they now possess. am assured
and satisfied that such would not be the |
result, and have taken the position / |
now occupy, and have said what | have
i'm their behalf upon the assumption |
that they would be willing to guarantee
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