Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-18
ruTUnr POLICY OF THE STATE.

In eteariDg amid the oreskers 'ne' su'
round our political existence, It requires
little calm reflection and fixedness OF
purpose II we are forced out OF the
correct line by agencies over which we
have no control, then let us make the
best Of our situation. 1t has been evi-
dent to our mind for some time past that
il was the settled purpose of Congress to
force the Fifteenth Amendment upon
the country. Since such a calamity
ia TO be ours, il would be wise if steps
we're taken to check, as far as possible,
the evil that must follow from this clause
in the Constitution. Congress will have,
under the pending amendment, the
power Of Regulating the question OF col
ored suffrage 10 all the States of the
Union--but this much aud no more
The new provision does not inhibit the
States passing general laws regulating
the privilege of franchise when applied to
every one without regard to color or pre-
yious condition. The intention of Con-
gress in passing the FifteenthAmendment
was TO secure the right Of voting to the
negroes only; and this was in order to
build up the Republican, party, and to
create accessions to its ranks. When
the requisite number Of States have rati-
fed this amendment, we will be forbid
den to exclude any class Of men on
account Of race, color or previous
condition of servilude. We are
not forbidden, however, from max
ing other than these a test Of
qualification II it is deemed ad-
visable, conditions may be exacted from
every one who shell { fer himself as a
voter in this or any other State. The
color of mans skin, or his peculiar
race, the Constitution win say, shall not
be suliicisnt to cause his exclusion from
the list Of voters, but goes no further
We thence are left free to make anything
a test excepting those above named.
The question then arises, What can
be doae to preserve the ballot
box from this overflow Of col
sred voters which threatens TO swamp
the liberties Of the S,ate2 Everything
has heretofore been tried, and nothing
new eau be suggested. We have the
properly qualification, the tax quAlihca-
zion aud the educational qualification,
which must, If either or all are adopted,
apply equally to persons of every class,
regardless Of their race or the hue OF
their skins The State Convention, in
session at Nashville, has this important
question under consideration, aud will
submit, Il in some form to the people for
their approval or disapproval.
While we do not agree with some IN their
timid aud shrinking policy jet we do
no, think Il wise to run our heads againss
o stone wall when there is little pro6a-
biEiy of going through IL il, as we APP
prehend, the Fifteenth Amendment will
pass, and that too with the pswer Of tie
bayone., It would be as well to a,temptto
eoun,erse, It's delslerious effects by pass
iRs general Law restricting Oti'rege oil
over the State. This is Left 10 the dis
erection of the Convention; but this sugust
body Of old msu should be careful not 10
compromise the dignity aud respects
bility Of the State gosernmeni. The
young men Of the State have yet some
pride left, aud would prefer TO see The
land in one sheet OF ace rather than 20
down on their knees to Gran, and his
corrupt Government While We do hive,
or pretend to have On existence As na-
tiOu. le; Us pursue esln and dignihed
course. that may not hereafter serve TO
briuS to oar minds disgracefpl reflections.
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