Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-09-09

y
hartenders, and thieves in Congress from
the Cotton States
Tennessee gave only 5000 majority
against Grant when there was no canvass
of the State for him, or any effort in his be-
half IL onc-tcnth the effort made TO secure
Indiana or Ohio had been made for Grant
IN Tennessee, there is no doubt he would
have carried the State by n good majority
ct the Democracy have Just carried the
State by $1,000 or G00OO majority. But
even th large majority does not express
the bitter hostility with which the Civil
Rights Bill is regarded by the entire white
population of the State 1t is no eNaggera-
tion to say that the very name "Republi.
can D. Is become odious with thousands Of
the adherents Of that party because of this
attempt TO compel the co.education of the
races. To proper appreciation Of the full
significance of the election in Tennessee il
is necessary to state that, with few excep,
tions, the candidates of the Republican
party declared against the Civil Rights
Bill, and at the same time received the mass
of the colored votes. Yet there were many
thousands of white Republicans who voted
the Democratic ticket as against candidates
OF their own party who agreed with them
on this question, because Republican Sem
ate had passed the bill, Had the Republi-
can candidates in our late election declared
for the Civil Rights Bill, the Democratic
majority would not have been less than
10000. The masses of the North and even
some leaders in Congress are 50 ignorant of
the condition Of affairs in the Southern
States ms to suppose that there are no loyal
and Republican people in those States eX-
cept the negroes and few white political
leaders This is true of South Carolina
Mississippi, and Florida with few excep-
tlons, but is wholly untrue Of the other
Southern States Tennessee furnished 35..
600 white men to the Union army, and has
1900 white Republican adherents without
the Civil Rights Bill. Kentucky, Missouri,
and other Southern Border States are in
like condition As matter of policy. to
say nothing of principle, it were better for
the Republican party TO reject mixed
schools and do without the colored vote
than establish them in the South and have
that vote.
The crime of ultra party measures passed
into laws by Congress has been committed
before. Made blind by to long posses
sion ofa majority in Congress and in its
greed for power, the Democratic party
passed the Fugitive Slave law, outraging
the neral convictions of the Northern peo-
pie. Now certain Republican leaders, ig-
norant or Indifferent as to consequences,
propose as party measure that which the
whole white people OF the South regard
them, while there is no necessity or occa-
sion for 1t in the protection of the blacks in
their civil and political rights. You truly
say that they, the white Republicans of the
South, "are better judges of what is practi-
cable and needed by their section than any
member coming from the other section"
can not refrain expressing my thanks
for the generous sentiments contained in
/ your letter, and to the TTi6une for giving
D . hnF nh lfan ion laNNA h.
! republished all over the South. and its
publication has done good. Such expires.
sions from the representative Republicans
| of your section will do much ~ allay the
| bitter sectional feelings and projudices en-
! genhered 10y the agitation of this question.
| The white people of the South of all par
| ties, do not feel that the full protection OF
/ the African race in their civil and political
/ rights require legislation for compulsory
social intercourse They do not believe
/ that those who urge it do so from an intelli-
gent regard for the welfare Of the colored
people. But the Republicans regard it rs
| the result Of ignorance of the needs of
I their section. or hcartless selhshness and
demagogism in political leaders. And the
other party look upon il rs a deliberate
attempt to degrade and blast their section
from premeditated malice. Let the motive
be what it may, the result is the same.
(
lcan party in the South, and the certain
injury of the colored people 1t is time
the responsible, representative, loyal men
of the South were consulted with reference
TO measures operating upon their section
This Civil Rights bill is as emphatically
sectional as was the infamous Fugitive
Slave law Though the word South is
not named in the bond" or bill, it operates
wholly upon this section. The North is not
affected by this measure The negroes are
so few there, they have not the slightest
power, and, therefore, not the slightest
recognition. They are not permitted to
whites, and could not get redress in the
courts for any invasion of their rights under
this so-caled Civil Rights bill. 1t is true
the law makes no distinction on account OF
color in Massachusetts or Pennsylvania,
but there is not color enough there to base
distinction upon. A half-dOZen neatly
clad quadroOn or octoToon children in a
school of 400 whites do not establish the
principle of equality which is sought to be
established in the South by forcing the
negroes into contact with those of as good
white blood as circulates in the veins of the
best of Boston's society. 1t is truly hui
name missionary work to educate these
Southern negroes, and liberal on the part
of the tax-paying whites to do il. Butthey
are willing to do it if let alone and permit
ted to do it; but they will not do it under
the compulsory association which is incor-
porated in this bill.
have already written as much as / could
ask The Tribune to publish.
With my best wishes for your health and
prosperity, am yours truly,
WILLIAM G. BRowSLow.
Knoxville, Tenn, Aug. "a, 1874