Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-11
THE TENNESSEE PRACAS, J
Republican Organ Expenses the
True Republican Faith. -,

True Republican Faith.
| From the Chicago Tribune. june 8.
Some weeks ago, in noticing the di
vision of the Republican party in Ten
nessee, and the nomination of two can
didates, we stated that acting Governo
Senter was in favor of carrying out tn
doctrine Of the Republican party of th,
nation, by the restoration, as speedily Al
practicable, of all citizens to the elect
i've franchise. There is no Fart of tn,
country where this doctrine is more es.
sential to liberty and peace than in Ten.
nessee. The colored people of that Stat,
have been admitted to the suffrage, and
their clvil rights are now placed be,
yond all legal interference. A large
body Of the white population is disfran-
chised, and these DISTINGUISHED persons
are not Of the floating population, but are
many Of them of the lsndsholdiDg, tax
paying class of permanent citizens, who
have not an interest that is not centered
in Tennessee. Are the peace, order and
material prosperity of the State to be
best fostered by perpetuating the rela-
ton of governing and governed class?
Can men be expected to admire, srevor-
ence or enjoy that government which
admits their citizenship, taxes them,
holds them responsible to the laws. and
yet denies them voice in public affairs?
A new generation has grown up in the
meantime, and these are all arrayed on
the side of their kindred and in Opposi-
ton to the government. The policy of
the Republican party is not the disfran~
chisement of any race or class Of men;
on the contrary, it has broken down
this irregularity Of races in political mat
tiers, and must demand the political en-
reimbursement Of the whites with the
same energy that it has maintained that
Of the blacks. Whatever reason there
was in 1864 Go, in the then settled state
of the country, for DISTINGUISHING the
men, who still continued to wear the
Confederate uniform, no such reason ex-
lists now. Ii Tennessee is fit to be recog-
nized as having State government at all,
her people must be fit to hold the ballot.
The time for political prescription has
passed, and armed with the ballot, the
whole people of Tennessee should be
consolidated as American citizens, pos>
sessing equality before the law, and pre-
pared to defend their liberties. The sep
aration of the people into classes should
not be longer tolerated, and is utterly
opposed to the policy of the Republican
party.
A Nashville paper thought proper to
deny that we correctly understood the
position of Gov. Senter and those who
support him but in the debate between
him and Col. Stokes On the 9th inst, at
the accuracy Of our statement
was verified. Col. Stokes opposed a
general reimbursement of the popula-
lion, and was in favor Of perpetuating
the present condition of affairs. Gov.
Senter was in favor Of agenersl enfran
chisement Of all persons now disqualified
for political offenses. OF the two gentleS
men, personally, we have nothing to say
but we do regret that any portion of
the Republican partyAin that State. up
hold, at this time, the doctrine that any
party in power for the time being should
be permitted to dislranchi>e its oppo.
nents, and should exercise that power.
Under that very, doctrine the Democrats,
once in poweri In Tennessee, might dis
franchise thressfifths of the Republican
party. The only just and safe IuIe is to
make the privilege Of voting political
right, forfeitable only by a conviction
for crime, and a right belonging to all
men and classes Of men equally. If the
cannot held Tennessee on
that doctrine, better lose it temporarily
than violate the fundamental principles
Of the party and perpetuate wrong
already too long continued.