Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-30
TEE PROBLEM OF THE TIMES
The Impressions of One Of the
People.
4 Word from Probe.

To the Ediso-s Of tic Union and American:
After expressing thanks for former
kindnesses, allow me to ask your indul-
gence for some remarks upon the question
of suffrage, now agitating the C0nstitu-
tional State Convention.
Shall the negro vote is the problem
am surprised to find delegates in the
Convention, who make the issue, that the
white man shall not vote, unless the ne
gro does--in other phrase, that the Con
stitutiOn shall remain as it Is, if the peO-
pie refuse TO engraft negro suffrage upon
il. | understand this to be the real ques-
ton involved in the proposition to submit
the question of negro suffrage as sepa-
rate one for the ratification of the people.
If the Convention refuses to submit II
separately, they thereby declare that ne
gro suffrage must be swallowed with the
rest, or we shall have nothing. The wise
enlargement of the Executive powers, the
admirable Judiciary reforms, the timely
restrictions upon the power to extend State
Indebtedness, the provisions against using
the militia contrary to public liberty, and
all other reforms are to be dependent on
perpetuating negro suffrage. The entire
framework of our government is to hinge
on ''negrO suffrage" Such proposition
is abhOrrent in its very nature Il denies
20 the people the right to decide a ques-
ton which all admit is vital 1t Is the
agent denying to the principal the right to
decide his own affairs, and TO control his
own business.
II is justified by necessity. What is
that necessityl Il is that if the people
of Tennessee deny to the negro the right
of suffrage, they will fall under the ban
of the Federal Administration, and be
subjected to the process of a military re-
construction. This is a confession that
liberty is at an end in this State. If this
be so, why deliberate at all Why not
apply to the authorities at Washington to
furnish a Constitution that will be accept
able to them, without reference to the
wishes of the people of Tennessee If
we only possess the forms Of liberty,
without its substance, let US know it, and
prepare for our fate. Have We any as
surance that the granting Of negro suffrage
would satisfy the Federal POwerl If so
let US have the bond. Who viii speak
for the authorities at Washington Who
will give the guarantee that the granting
of negro suffrage absolutely, will secure
non-interference in our State affairs
submit that the Convention Is acting
in the dark. II is proposing to make
concession without guild pro quo.
States Of the Union denied suffrage TO the
negro, and now do so, without being
placed under military rule What are we
TO gain by it2 Grant negro suffrage, and
are we secure against other demandsi
The dominant power in the General Gov
eminent, have, at present, but one we'll
defined and cherished aim-that is to re-
tain power. To do 80, it is prepared to
pass every barrier, TO Obliterate States, TO
deprive the people Of liberty; and no such
concession as this will answer their de-
mands. We must 60 further. We must
support the party. We must keep in place
the vernin that have Crawled into Office
through our misfOTtunes, and viii die the
moment they are cast off. That is the
necessity the Convention acknowledges,
To such q necessity will they sacrifice
their convictions of right, yield their in
dependence Of action, and in fear of IN
authorized, arbitrary power, give up the
principles they were delegated to repre-
sent and defend
Some say that the people of Tennessee
are pledged to negro suffrage Who
pledged them? When were they pledged 2
When did they vote on negro suffragel
When did they vote when negro suffrage
was in issue9 The history Of the question
in Tennessee shows that it was forced
upon the people As abiders Of law, they
10 s,,,1,r,,fFf.l q, fThavr I'll
TO obey any laws that may be enacted foI
them. But we have been lattered with
the idea that the people are now acting
for themselves. In erecting a govern,
ment, which they fOndly suppose will
last, at least for q generation, do they
propose TO consult other powers, which
may last for three OF five years In ar
are like this and a country like this, who
is absolute, and how longs The craven
NAV kneel at the fOOtStOOl Of power to
Cay, and tomorrow the head which wearl
the crown may fall into the basket which
contains the dues which the people eZsc
from the agents Of misgoyernment. WIZ
is so bold as 10 declare that the peOpl
shall forsske principle and pander to TEN
porary power Who that is worthy o
the name of statesman, patriot, friend o
his race, his posterity, and of permanen
republican liberty, will yield all for tn
illusory peace of day.
It none other has the courage TO STAN
by the faith, let the State of Tennessee
set the example She has yet had no son
worthy Of the name, who has brOugh
shame 10 her csCutchcon. There is Il
perjury for Office, there is no iguoble pie
for the removal of disabilities, there
no violation of the imposing duties O
patriotism in our recent history TO stat
her name or tarnish her people. Why, j
the very acme of the trial, shall Tcnne:
see yield the question, and confess tbs
the experiment Of self-gOvernmcut his
ended in failure Why cOncede consol
da;ion How long will it last VIII
satisfy the people of the country b
permanencc, certainty and security "
have already had fyretaSte. It's show
in the whole South-most recently in Il
States Of Georgia, Mississippi and TeXa
il is 20 be dcplorcd. But what contr
should present persona, fear have over Il
conduit Of a conscientious e-gtpsr,,q,