Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-28
TEE CONSTITUTIONAL CoNvEN'
rrON AND SUFFRAGE.


TIE delegates of the CONSTITUTIONS
Convention, in this State, have been
cn;ltv Of an atrocious outrage upon tho
people. They have assumed dictstorial
powers, end declared the equality OF the
white ard black races. They proclaim
this in the name of the people OF len
nessee, and solemnly enact it IN the
b;ghest law of the land. Such spirit,
of taking from the people the right 70
control their own affairs, seems to be the
order of the day everywhere in this
country, and with all parties.
We hold that the people should have
had an opportunity of expressing them
sslves in what they desired to be done
with the question of negro suffrage.
Instead of this, few constitutional
snkers set themselves above the rest
of their fellow.citizens and determined
the matter. Some who voted tor
the disgusting provision endeavored
n nalliate the offsnse by preiacsng
eha act with the declaration that, as an
original proposition, they would be OPP
oosed 10 the negroes right to vote. Ii
ws could believe in the sincerity of these
men, tteir conduct in making haste 10
do the dirty deed would somewhat shake
our faith. These delegates have not
wsittd for the passage of the Fifteenth
Amendment, forciDg universal negro
suffrage on the people, but have
endorsed, in a most positive man
uer beforehand, its hateful, losthing re-
quirements.
Oar delegation from Shelby county
vo,ad as the people had Instructed them,
INIT otherwise have not been heard from.
The debates on TIE subject gent on Tor
several days, and on the main po'nt OF
submitting the question to vote OF the
ueopIe both Messrs. Stephens and deis-
kell were chary of expressing an opinion
Such timidity is not consonant Ssth the
eoirit of Young America, and does not
tally with the feelings of this people
We have not word of condensation Tor
these gentlemen, and only feel pity Tor
their unenviabie attitude.
We we're aware that the Fifteenth
Amendment would most preSably pass
brt before The calamity should h'ppeH Sa
desired the white people of Tennessee to
nut themselves 90 record against it. We
csn discern no Differences bsiveen Con-
gress forcing this thing on es aad
being trampied on 10 the manner OF
having the same right recognized
aud adopted into our own Constitution.
Congress will compel US with the bayonet
mower of the Government to eventually
receive the Fifteenth Amendment The
State Constitutional Convention will gag
the people, and force it dowa their throats,
by not permitting them to vote 1t down,
In both propositions there Is little differ
enee. and It matters little with the peo-
ple whether this right be guaranteed to
the negro by the Federal Constitution or
the same be placed in the Constitution OF
the State By our own act. The thing
ia objectionable in any shape aud
10 whatever way it may come to US
The placing of this Objectionable clause
in the new Constitution might jsopsts;se
Che entire work Of the Convention when
il comes before the people for ratihca-
tion. If the Fifteenth Amendment is
not, after oil, likely to receive the re-
quisite number Of States 20 make com
plete ils ratification, then We shall sd-
wise the people 10 throw overheard toe
doiugs of this Convention. We know
that West Tennessee is sound on this
question, aud will do nothing to hu-
initiate herself and sanction the ippos-
ing of negro suffrage.