The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-02-04
Universal Suffrage.

The most of last week was consum.
cd i'm tie discussion by the COnstitu-
tional Convention now assembled in
Nashville, of the franchise question,
Able speeches were made 70: and
against the minority report, which
submits the question of negro suffrage
to the people as separate PROPOSE
ton, but when test vote was reachs
ed, those in favor eff negro suffrage
were found to be largely in the ma
jority. 30 to 10. This is great tri-
umph of peace and prosperity, and
there is 10 fear that the State will
be delivered into the hands of Stokes
& Go. The tranquility of Tennessee
is in itself a paramount principle, and
-outweighs all distractions, because it
brings with it prosperity and happi-
ness to the people. Whatever is the
best interest Of great people, is their
true policy, if not also right in itself.
Last Thursday evening Hon. A. o. p.
NICHOLSON delivered speech in op-
position TO Minority Report, of which
the following is very imperfect sy.
nopsis. The speech was listened to
with profound attention. and much
regret is felt that it was not written
and printed as it fell from the distin-
gGisned speakers lips:
Mr.. Nicholson said he arose under
much embarrassment. He had to
speak upon a subject which had al
ready been worn out. He should not
attempt TO review the argument
which had been made; probably
should not advance anything news
The Convention had now been en-
gagged in the discussion of this ques-
ton for four days. He had never
listened to debate with more profit.
and thought it would have done hon
or to the U. $. Congress in its palmiest
DAYS. On their statute book was an
act which DISTINGUISHED about 100,-
600 white men and enfranchised no.
600 colored men. The question was
would they enfranchise those white
men and disfranchise the other race,
or make the suffrage universal.
When the white people were disfran-
chised they complained, and Justly,
too, of the injustice and wrong which
they were compelled to undergo.
Now would the white people turn
around and submit the negro to the
same injustice? He admired the
ability and eloquence with which his
young friends argued the minority
report, but they were making a rash
issue. This was not the time TO talk
about States rights or the inferiority
of the negro. This was the wrong
time to apply these great truths and
principles. These truths were not
dead. but crushed TO earth; they
would never die, but they could not
be sustained against the united opin-
ion of the North. What was the use
i'm urging these great principles as
vital, vigorous principles to-day?
When tho Southern armies surren-
dered it was decided that the major
ity should rule, the great doctrine of
States rights was overcome, as was
the idea that this was white mans
government. Could they unearth
those great principles now in this
changed aspect of affairs whe Con-
gress was almost supreme! The ne
gro had been freed. he had been made
citizen, and now all that was neces-
sary TO complete the circle was to
make him a voter. The Governm mt
of the United States had determined
that the negro should vote, and in
this state of things what would wise
craftsmanship dictate? Would it be
policy to array themselves i'm def
ancc to a power against which they
had no reasonable hope of succeed
ing?
1t would be the better policy to
take things as they found them act
as though there were certain accom-
plished facts; let them by wise con-
duct avoid the consequences which
now threatened, and palliatc evils
which were already upon them. Be-
cause they believed i'll States rights,
should they plant themselves on that
platform? Because they believed
this should be white mans govern
ment would they plant themselves
on this impracticable position lie
admitted the courage of his young
friends, but he could not praise theil
discretion. The prime pies which
they urged were dead issues now
and This was not the time to advance
them. Let them give more thought
toexpcdiency and policy. There was