Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-28


tige Of his pride Of race, will submit 10 this
degredaiiOn Of his offspring. To the poor
white man it will be peculiarly oppressive
for If the consequences Of this legiSla-
tiOn are the destruction of the common
school system of the State, the children Of
the poor man, who are now educated free,
must grow mp IN ignorance. We have
another provision, interdicting the marriage
Of the faces. Let this legislation obtain,
ard the next step will be to anneA penal
ties against the refusal Of q white woman
to marry a negro, because of his race and
color. Admit the authority Of Congress
to pass this bill, and there will be 10 limit
TO tho aggrcssions Of that body upon soci-
ETY. ami its safeguards in the States. Il
will take charge Of and control all our so
cial and business relations.
In Tennessee they have guaranteed in
our organic law every practical aud civil
right that is secured to our race. Our leg
islatlIre is in full harmony with these
guarantees. The negro child, equally with
the white. is provided for in our common
schools. The white race VIGOROUSLY pay
all, or nearly all, the taxes, afG therefore
the negro, with cOmmendable liberality and
generosity, is educated al the expense Of
-
Tennessee has every protection By the law,
and every educational privilege with our
race. No one desires 10 deprive him Of
any Of the legal rights now accorded to
him; and when the charge is made that we
desire TO deprive him either of his freedom
or his political or civil rights, il is not only
false by those who give t circulation, but
it is wiIlful and deliberate falsehOOd,
uttered by men who are far below the level
of the negro, for the promotion Ofthelr own
selfish purposes. IL will not do for us to
cherish the delusion that the crisis is
passed. This odious bill lies on the speak
er's table Of the House, to be taken up in
its order on the calendar
WHEN CONGRESS CONvENEs
in December. Its passage can be prevent
ed, in my judgment, only by an Unmistaka-
BILE expression Of indignation through the
ballOt-bOx. Let us Overwhelmingly defeat
the Civil Rights ticket, both in our county
and State elections. Let every white man
who loves his race and retains his self-re-
speet rally to the white mans ticket. Let
no petty Discussions or jealousies, or indi-
vidual aspirations, divide us in this vital
struggle. IL is the duty Of every man, in
this perilous hour, to forget every other
consideration, and contribute by his vote
and influence to the success Of the white
mans ticket. Triumphant success saves
Tennessee to the white man, and aids the
defeat Of The wicked measure. Defeat will
break down her prosperity, humble her
pride, and give aid and comfort to the mis-
ehievous fanatics who seek our degradation
and ruin.
Gentlemen, in thus communicating my
views in a more haSty and hurried manner
than | wish, | am animated by the single
desire to promote the cause of truth. My
claims to Office are not and will not be be-
fore the people Of the State in the coming
canvass. But desire to see the integrity
and honor of the State preserved, and am
ready on all occasions to cooperate with
my people in the accomplishment OF that
desire. Thanking you, gentlemen, for
your courtesy and manifestation of con-
fidence, l am most respectfully your Obe-
dent servant, JOHN G. Brown.