Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-02
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In view. He was not welded to the pres
emit amendment, bat he was for justice,
being done. Some fanatics might call
him weak in the knees e they chose, put
he occupied exactly the same position
which the Governor had taken IN MS
message to this adjourned session. hs
earnestly requested gentlemen who nelo
a different view of the subject TO examine
mage six of the message. 1fthat portion OF
he message meant anything, it meant en-
reimbursement to the better class OF rebels.
If Il did not mean that, it meant nothing
AZ all. He had never heard anybody say
that the Governor was not Radical
enough. and the Speaker did not propose
m ont Radical the Governor. He did
mt want to be taken for Q fanatic or to
appeal to blood and thunder passions
but he did want to do what was right and
what would be the best interest OF the
State. he was opposed to the enfran-
cbisemept of out-throats and Ku- klux as
much as any man on the floor, but, while
he would never vote to enfranchise such
outlaws. he was in favor of the means
which Gov. Brownlow had recommended;
that is. he was for doing justice in the
safest and most practicable way, SO as
to reach that class which the Governor
had referred to in his message.
Mr.. ACee was interrupted several times
nv questions from different members OF
the House, but he answered in such a
straightforward way that his position
could not possibly have been misunder-
stood. He contended earnestly that the
House ought not to oppose the policy of
Congress, of the Government, and OF the
great Republican party. If so, they
wsuld be considered only fanatical fac
ton. He was for making difference
between law-abiding men and those who
were law-breakers. He hoped steps
would be taken to bring the matter at
once and directly before the people. Let
the people settle the question. The Gov
ernor had recommended liberal policy,
and he was not afraid to risk the decision
of the people. >,
Mr.. Bowles was "sgin such policy
as that enacted by Mr.. Agee, and indig.
nantly demanded" amt the spirit OF
rebellion, the high.blossom.of He'll, higher
nor it was year agoT .
Mr.. White said the loyal people of
East Tennessee would prefer TO have the
disfranchisement ofrebels perpetual than
to change it now. They would rather
disfranchise a few more rebels than
now admit them to the ballot box.
Mr.. Wines demonstrated against longer
applying the unjust and oppressive
policy oftaxation without representation.
The right of suffrage was an inherent,
not a political right. What authority
had they to sit there and legislate away
the rights of the people of Tennessee ?
They knew how the Franchise Law had
been worked in the interest OF cliques
and parties by corrupt and infamous
Commissioners of Registration.
Mr.. Meyers fought the war over again
in the same stereotyped rant which he
has inflicted upon the House several
times during the past two years, and
made an appeal to the worst passions
aud prejudices of members against lib
eral and just policy toward the disiran-
chised masses.
Adjourned to two pm.
In the afternoon session, the consld-
Grafton Of the franchise amendment to
the constitutional amendment was
resumed.
Mr.. Welch opposed the amendment,
and in the course of his remarks fought
the battles of the war ever again in Ian
guage which, if not practically chsste
and gramm aticsl, was intended to be
crushing and effective as an East Ten.
nessee argument against extending the
franchise.
Mr.Roach followed in speech strongly
urging the adoption of the amendment.
He severely censured the animus OF Mr..
Hackers remarks, calculated as they
were to revive the worst animosities en-
gendered by the war. 1t was not by such
bitter and intolerant remarks as these
that peace and good feeling was to be
10 Tennessee, What is to
be gained by continually bringing up and
talking of the hardships and trials OF the
war; What good purpose was to be
bestowed by perpetHally opening these
old sores, Let the dead past bury its
dead. The war Is over, we have either
got to live as friends or enemies. Is it
not the part of good craftsmanship to
look to the future, to build up the waste
places of the State, and promote good
feeling among those who ought to be
friends. he thought there we're none
present who would not be willing to see
suffrage extended to some enc or more
of bis neighbors.
fHere Mr.. White, Of Greene, re-
there was not rebel in his
county whose enfranchisement he was
not opposed 10. sad that bis doctrine, in
brief, was that rebel shonld never un-
der any circumstances be allowed TO
vote
Mr.. Roach continued, that the man
who votes against this amendment adver-
tises himself to the world that there is no
mercy or relenting in his nature. Men
who will insiat in stubbornly refusing to
extend any mercy TO their disfrsnchised
have no clsim to be called Re
publicans. The speaker here quoted
from speech of Carl Schurz,
the newly elected Missouri Senator,
warmly pleading for extending suf-
frage to those who are now loyal.
This is all that the present
amendment proposes, and it is
in fact what Gov. Brownlow recently re-
commended. The man who votes against
this measure says to all mankind, in lam
guage that cannot be mistaken, that he
don't want rebels to become loyal, and
that he does wish strife, lawlessness and
ill-feeling to continue. This will be the
meaning of their vote, disguise it as they
may, and the day is not far distant when
they will hang their heads in shame for
pursuing this intolerant and vindictive
policy.
Mr.. Shepherd made some remarks in
opposition to the amendment
Mr.. Bowles took the same course.
Mr.. eagle was opposed to the amend
ment, and thought the weakened, kind
hearted rnernhera ~ the Horace Greeiev