Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-23
senter I'm New YOrk-The "Times' >
on the Tennessee Situation"
I'm the New York Times, of the l6th.l

| on the Tennessee Situation
From the New York Times. of the l6th.l
Governor Senter is resolved that there
| shall be no Misrepresentation of the po-
sition he occupies in the Tennessee con
test. He means that the battle with the
Stokes section of the Republican party
shall be fought out squarely, with no re
sort on either side to false pretenses
The main issue separating them relates
| to the proscriptive measures which are
among the relics of the bitter conflict
| with rebellion. And while Stokes pro-
claims purpose to uphold the disabili.
| ties enacted when the passions of the
| conflict we're at white heat, Senter with
equal emphasis avows himself convert
to the magnanimous policy indorsed by
| the Chicago Convention, and approved
| by General Grant in his intercourse with
Virginians and Congress. There is
| nothing hesitating or dubious in the
course pursued by the Governor upon
the subject. He puts the only proper in
| terpretaton upon franchisement when
he describes it as "a temporary neces-
sity growing out Of the needs and the sit.
uation of the time" and adopted with
no expectation that it would be long con-
tinued." He sees in it now the cause OF
restlessness and discomfort" and in its
history an influence that "engenders
animosities, discord and strife"
, He ascribes the desire for its perpetua-
ton to "a selfish partisan ambition to
gain Office, or selfish partisan fear of
loosing it "-an explanation SO evidently
rational and just that it applies with a
happy suggestiveness to the proscrip.
tionists of Missouri and West Virginia,
as we'll as of Tennessee. For himself,
Governor Senter discerns in policy of
Cancellation the proper path to peace
and safety. In his Judgment, he says,
the time has come when the limitations
and disabilities which have found their
way into our statute books, as the result
of the war, should be abolished and re-
moved, and the privilege of the elective
franchise restored and extended 80 as to
embrace the mass OF the adult popula-
ton of the State" These are sound and
prudent utterances, whatever the motives
that prompt them, and it is satisfactory
to know that The candidate who is respon.
sible for them has the support of local
Republican journals and powerful por-
tion OF the party His election on this
basis would give to the State a content
ment and prosperity never attainable by
partisan hsrshness and Intolerance; and
we are not surprised to hear that in the
canvass he is sustained by an influential
class whom the events of the last few
years had driven into retirement.
Republicans of Mississippi, we are
glad to note, are preparing to reconstruct
that State on platform Identical with
that raised bv Senter in Tennessee The
Mississippi Executive Committee, in a
call for Republican State Convention,
the adoption of the new Constitution NTH
harsh features omitted" A platform cir.
culating in the same connection afirms
the desrableness of reconstruction on the
most liberal terms compatible with Fede.
raj law, and of 'the removal Of ell polit-
ieal disabilities on account of past polit-
ical ofenses, as soon as the State shall
be reconstructed upon a republican
basis" These are not the whisperings
of an enemy in disguise, Their harmony
with the State Republican Committees
call is proof that they reflect wide
spread and settled conviction. And their
significance is further enhanced by close
Identification with the administration Of
General Grant and the policy of Con-
gress, and by determined opposition to
THE party and the sentiment which cre-
atsd the war and opposed reoonstruc
tion."
The broad ground occupied by Repub-
licans in Tennessee and Mississippi
stands cut in bold contrast to the pro-
scriptive policy which in Virginia has its
representative 10 the Wells ticket. The
same elements and motives tbs are com.
bined in Tennessee in behalf of Stokes,
are at work in Virginia in support OF
Wells A selfish partisan ambition to
gain Office operates in conjunction with |
" a selfish partisan fear of losing" office;
and the two, united, make up Wells |
strength. The sensible suggestions Of J
Senter, aud the generous propositions ef |
the Mississippi Committee, have their
Virginia expression in the Walker ticket, |
which aims at purging the local Constitu-
ton of Acknowledgement aud political
and electing an Executive |
and Legislature deserving the respect and |
confidence Of the State.