Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-06-04

have expressed myself ss opposed to the
county organization clause. l am opposed
to it. 1t is unsuited to our condition and
impracticsble. But its evil effects can be
avoided. The constitution itself provides
the means by which IL can be done. The
Legislature can adopt amendments and
submit them to the people to be voted
upon and thus avoid its psnicious cons qsn-
ses. With a Conservative Legislature and
| executive We can so amend and alter it that
| the county organic alton clause need never
20 into effect and those evils will not come
upon us.
The very life aud existence Of the State
Is involved in this contest and 1t Is the du-
! ty OF every man to 60 to the polls and vote
down the obnoxious clauses. / have known
tho President three or four years and did
not consider him pledged against the coun.
~ organization clause, but merely as giv-
ing his individual opinion against II. The
cause of this is the difference Of opinion be-
tween the President and his Cabinet. II
YOU vote down these two clauses you re-
store 10000 of oar citizens to the right of
suffrage. In a contest like this can there
be any middle ground In Virginia's int, r.
est there is no middle ground. You must
vote these clauses down or establish them
entirely. The man who stays away from
the polls goes for the Underwood Constitu-
tion as a whole, the same as he who votes
for 1t. lie who withholds his vote commits
as gI eat an evil as IL he had voted for II.
He diminishes our power and enables our
opponents 20 triumph.
| The suffrage Of the colOred man does not
enter into this question. His right to vote
is tsblished by law-it Is settled forever.
Hohas equal rights. But there is a might.
or question shall the white man vote By
I.N.. - .N.tu ksah Ii
mitted for your ratification or rejection,
large numbers Of the white people of Vir-
ginia are prohibited of franchise nd niueiy y
tve per cent prob bited from holding office
State or Federal. The prov sons which so
deprive the whitemen OF privileges declared
70 be the lights Of the colored men, | here
pronounce Infamous. The question OF
suffrage for the cOloTed man Is settled and
recognised by all and am willing to main
tain him in his right. The question Is shall
the xhiteman vote : 10000 arc di'franchis
ed and ask you colored men is 1t right
Does any man think that this is right OF
that it can I've mGintained Is it supposed
by auy man tntt peace can exist upon any
other than the broad basis OF USlvERsAI
AsNFsrY, aud lMrARTIAL SUFFRAGE No
pm all men upon an equal footing and 10
} tht best win. The que stion IS not, shal
J the colored maq vote, but shall 10000 white
men be restored TO their rights Is there
! nan within the sound Of my voice, who
wien his father, his brother or his neighbo
, is iisfrs lhised, will not 60 TO the polls apc
vo.e down the two obnoxious clauses Of thi
constitution For We must either yot'
r them out or adopt 1t entirely. IL so il
, whose hands does be seek 10 place the con
, troll Of his country tell you, Fellow
! Citizens, that with a Legislature and Exeeu
/ tive wo eau control this matter But
Wells is elected the whole will be put I
itrsS srd carried out.
} It has bsen said that one reason why
: oppose II Is because u provides for a Ere
/. School system. But this is MT 81, hay