The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-10-02
Address of the Democratic Lxec'
utiye Committee.

upon tie issues involved in this canvass.
The Democratic party Of Tennessee met
in convention at Nashville on the 18th
OF August. 1874. and, after full and free
consultation, laid down a platform OF
principles npon which all men who are
opposed TO the ruinous measures of the
Radical party may unite. The only
way IN which party can be united, har.
moiious and successful, is by support.
ingthe principles upon which the party
In convention was agreed, as well as the
noninees of the party. Any other
Course would lead to the disinteeration
o. The party, aud its final overthrow.
We are aware that attempts have
been made, and will continue TO be
made, TO create a prejudice against the
Democratic aud Conservative party of
Tennessee because OF the scts Of law less
ness which have taken place in some
parts Of the State, but when il is re.
membered that every effort has been
made, and will continue to be made by
the proper officers of The State to bring
the offenders TO justice, that through
out the State these acts have been con-
demned not only by the public press
but by the various Democratic and Con.
serrative conventions which have met,
without single dissenting voice, that
in 10 part Of the United States are acts
of lawlessness more discountenanccd
by puolic sentiment than in Tennessee,
all fair minded men will say that il is
unjust to attempt 10 throw odium upon
a whole State because Of the acts Of n
few reckless. bad men which they could
not prevent, and for which they are in
no wise responsible, and this, too for
the ignoble purpose of making political
party. We condemn as thoroughly as
any one all acts of violence, whether
committed by white or black. We feel
determined to defend all persons, of
every race or color, in the ejoyment of
their legal and constitutional rights,
aud to secure to them ample protection
for their persons and property. Our
object Is TO preserve friendly relations
between the white and black races, be-
cause in so doing the welfare and hap
piness of both will be promoted. In
this State, under Democratic and Con
servativc administration. the negroes
enjoy as MANY rights as they do in any
State in the Union, and there is as little
prejudice against them on account Of
color as in any of the Northern States
BY our State laws they have the right
to vote, to hold Office, 10 testify in
courts. to sit on juries, TO acquire and
hold property, both real and personal,
and 10 enjoy all the benefits of q com.
mon school system, established aud
paid for mostly by the white people Of
tho State. If let alone there would be
entire harmony between the races, and
general prosperity would be the result !;
but, unfortunately. it seems to be the
desire of certain parties, for personal
aud political ends, to engender strife be-
tween them, just previous to an cleo
tior, .p..
The Civil Rights bill, so-called, seems
to have been intended to bring about
the unfortunate state of affairs which
now exists in many OF the Southern
The object OF that bill seems 10 have
been to poison the minds of the black
race, and TO infame their passions and
preiudices, SO as 20 bring them into an
tagonism with the white race. with
which they bad been living on terms of
friendship and good will. 1t has pro-
duced its legitimate fruits. First. by
arousing the passions Of the negroes so
as to cause them to utter inflammaiory
and to form unlawful COM
and conspiracies. and then i,
has naturally excited the white people
TO such an extent that some reckless
men, disregardng tho obligation of law.
have been induced TO commit acts Of
violence. bringing reproach upon the
State, though, as we feel mos. uniustly.
The menwbo planned these schemes
TO destroy the harmony between the
white aud the black races, by pressing
The passage or a bill lha, could be OF no
benefit TO either race, are the real authors
Of the wlessness which umhappily pre-.
walls among a few men in some parts Of
he country. These same men are now
rying TO take advantage OF the wrong
hey have committed, aud bv misrepre
H''i bUurC' w IUIIueUIG tue
popular mind of the Northern people
against those who have done no wrong,
md who are IN no wise responsible for
leeds Of violence, which they condemn.
All this Is done to gain party advan-
age, and 10 carry popular elections.
If 1t is intended TO introduce social
equality between the white and black
aces, this never can be done by legisla-
ion, though the attempt TO do it may
,ause serious disiurbauces--hurtful to
he interest Of both.
There may bea few negroes in the
country who are unwilling 10 associate
with their own race, aud who desire to
'orce themselves into the society Of the
white people unsolicited, but such we
10 not believe TO be The sentiments of
he great body Of the black race among
us, They are not ashamed OF their own
ace, or unwilling to associate with per-
,ons of their own color. This bill is not
urged In the interest Of the black race,
but IL pressed either with view 10 ac-
,omplish party and mercenary pur-
pose, or to crafty the few selfconccit-
ID, ambitious negroes who are unwil-
ing or ashamed to acknowledge the
equality OF other negroes with them
Ielves. We oppose this bill because II
nust necpseariIv producn nm attaponigm