Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-23
The Ante-War State Bonds Not
In Conflict with the l4th
iit Amendment. lk
Governor Senter mterviewed--He Is
Opposed to Reconstruction.
Fletcher at Washington on His Own
Hook.
why the Governor Asked for United
states Troops.


ton Of the Harris eight per cent. bonds
to-day, in bank, of which seven
million dollars or more we're issued on
authority of the Legislature previous to
May, 1861, it is observed on their face
that the State is irrevocably bound ia
redeem them as debt created in defense
of the State, and not for the support OF
the Confederate Government. Hence, il
is surmised here, they do not come in
conflict with the l4th amendment, for it
may possibly have been to defend the
State against enemies of the United
States, and are, therefore, simply evil
dences of contract which cannot he
annulled
The editor OF the Nashville Banner
interviewed Governor Senter last even
ing. and obtained from him the follow
ing statement;
am not in favor of reconstruction
and never have been am opposed to
it because there is no need of it. All |
desired in calling for troops was the pro
lection of our people, and not with any
view of fnrthering any reconstruction
scheme. | don't believe that this State
will ever be reconstructed. had been
forced into the necessity for calling for
troops by the action of the Legislature;
and ] did it of my own accord without
consulting with any one.
"Itseems that Fletcher has endeavored
to make it appear at Washington that he
was sent there by me, in company with
Captain Hyburger, with view probably
of reaping the benefit which such q state
ment might afford. Fletcher went there
without any authority from me whatever
and Captain Hyburger ought to have
corrected such statement.
4" / went to East Tennessee to visit my
family, whom | had not seen for six
weeks. had remained here during that
time, hoping that the Legislature would
grant me what demanded When | had
given Captain Hyberger all the neces-
sary papers and instructions, / went
home, with view of returning in time
to receive dispatches as to what he had
learned on his arrival at Washington.
have never SHE'D at any responsibility
whatever, and do not propose to do it.
What | do, do independently and with
out fear. | have taken stand which |
believe to be right; and what manis there
that can do more? | felt that the Legis-
lature had gone back on me, instead of
my going back on them. Nine-tenths of
its members gave their pledge to me that
they would vote for the Fifteenth Amend
ment. 1t ought to have been passed,
not only because it declared universal
suffrage to every man o Just and iaalien-
able right, but il was stroke of policy
which would have made peace for Ten
nessee at once, and there would have !
been found no pretext for the cry which |
has been raised about reconstruction
believe that had it been adopted
even declaring of the status of
the Judiciary of the State vacant, it
would have been passed unanimously. |
The Fifteenth amendment was at last I
forced upon thea, whether they Willed it
or not. | have never gone back upon
the people, and they will find eventually |
that have done everything In my power
for their good. Finding that the Legis-
lature had bereft me of that power, which /
it ought to have given me to suppress
maranders, the only recourse | had was
to ask United States troops, which had
q right 70 do under the Constitution