Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-04-20
THE DEMOCRACY AND THE FIFTEENTH
..a AMENDMENT.

people. Beginning with the Proclamation
of Emancipation issued by Mr.. Lincoln,
down to the final step--the adoption OF the
Fifteenth Amendment-every concession
made to the colored man has been the SUBJ
iect for rdicule, complaint or abuse. When
the right to sit on juries and the right OF
suffrage was first'proposed, the Democracy
predicted that Il war of races, the eXterml-
nation of the blacks and other terrible
evils would certainly follow. But no sooner
was the enfraachisement an accomplished
fact than this same Democracy protested
that as n party it was, and always had been,
friendly to the colored man, and that their
interests were identical.
When the shacSles were on the black
mans arms he was, in the estimation OF
Democracy, but half human, and wholly
unfit for self-protection and education.
But with the ballot secured, this same de-
spised black man suddenly became human
being, endowed with all our faculties, and
friend and fellow-citizen. These changes
in the protested feelings and treatment of
the Democrats are fresh in our recollections,
because they have all occurred within three
years,
During the campaigns preceding cleo
tons, it is not unusual To see some of the
men who were loudest in their denuncia-
tions of the blacks and widest in their
threats of determination, on the most
friendly terms with "our colored friends, |"
caucussing, planning and scheming with
| them. We all know men in this city now
| constantly cuttauotiRg the colored voters,
who three years ago waIe most bitterly OPP
posed to giving them any civil rights what
! ever. Some'of our contemporaries of the
press talk very glibly now about their
Friendship and sympathies for the colored
people. Three years ago these same papers
wereaoutraged and Inundated at the idea
of marching up to the polls with "a mig
GER They labor now as earnestly to per-
suade the black man that the Democrats are
| his truest friends as they did a few years
ago to warn Republicans that if they at
tempted to humiliate and degrade the South
with "nigger suffrage they would be
hurled from power by an incensed and
outraged people" In the face of legsla-
ton, and party crecd~bitterly hostile to
every interest of the colored race, they vet
profess friendship and good Intentions.
But fortunately, the colored people are not
easily deceived. They have not forgotten
the history of the past ten years. They
know full well that from principle and true
convictions of duty, the Republican party,
in spiteEof the deep preiudices and bitter
opposition of the Democracy, has conferred
upon them their freedom and every single
civil right they now exercise.
But the opposition of the Democracy is
not yet ended. That party has not only
opposed the colored man heretofore, but il
continues it now with evident desperation
BY the adoption of the Fifteenth Amend
ment the right of suffrage is guaranteed tC
every colored man of proper age in the
Cnioh. Congress, by the same amend
mont is empowered to enforce that right
by appropriate legislation TO refuse Il
recognize the validity or effect of tina
amendment is the shccrcst folly, and proc
of the bitterest hatred.
; We call the attention of our coloret
friends to the course pursued by the De
mocracy of Ohio and California in the re
ftDi rltoN III Ill tDluliill
: They refused To allow one hundred ant
: fifty colored men to vote in Circleville
} Ohio, and several thousand III California
: Such actions only prove their deep preju
: dices and bitter hatred of the black man
I All their professions are unfoanded and in
sincere. They would again enslave you
2 they could. There are some few reasona
| bic men in the party, who rejoice at you
prosperity, and are willing to accept tn
situation; hut, n party, their Legislation
D andactions prove them to he your enemies
: When they profess great friendship 70
e you on the eve of elections, remember thei
? past rccorti--the Democratic riots of Ne,
: York and the Ku-kluN OF Tennessee
: When they promise You protection in tn
: future, tell them you do not need it, TO
, you are protected by laws they cannot re
peal. When they offer you money 70
your votes, tell them You have gained you
ballot through too much blood and suffer
: ing 10 use your new power against thos
, who have given you freedom and man
) hood.
: II IL estimated that by tile Fifteenth
Amendment l20,000 colored men will D
: enfranchi-ed in the North, and about 700,
900 permanently secured in that right il