Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-09-19
THE STATE CANVASS.
Address of the Democratic Exec
utiye Committee to the PeO-
pie of Tennessee.
Civil Rights the AIl-ImpOrtant
Question at Issue.


Question at Issue.
Fellow Citizens-The peculiar exigen-
cies of the times render it necessary and
proper that we should address you upon the
condition of public affairs, aud upon the
issues involved in this canvass. The Dem
ocratic party of TENNESSEE met in cOnven-
ton at Nashville on the 10Th Of August,
1874. and, after full and free consultation,
laid down a platform of principles npOn
which all men who are opposed TO the rII-
inous measures of the Radical party may
unite. The only way IN which party can
be united, ha-nOniOus and successful, IS
by supporting the principles upon which
the party in convention was agreed, as we'll
as the nominees of the party. ANY other
course would lead to the disintegratiOn of
the PARTY, and its final overthrow.
We are aware that attempts have been
made, and will continue TO be made, to
create prejudice against the Democratic
and Conservative party Of Tennessee be-
cause of the acts Of lawieSsDess which have
taken place in some parts Of the State, but
when it is remembered that every effort
has been made, and will continue 10 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 ConseITa-
tive conventions which have met, without
a single dissenting voice, that IN no part OF
the United States are acts of lawlesSness
more discOuutenanced by public sentiment
Ill AaTrn r,hTT aAl
will say that it is unjust to attempt 10
throw Odium upon whole State because
of the acts of a 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 max
ing political capital to serve the ends OF
sinking party. We condemn as thoroughly
IS anv one all acts of violence, whether
committed by white or black. We feel de-
termined to defend all persons, OF every
race or color, in the enjoyment Of their
legal and constitutional rights, and to Sc
cure to them ample protection fortheir per
sens and property. Our object is to pre-
serve friendly relations between the white
and black races. because in so doing the
welfare and happiness of both viii be pro
NOTED. In this State, under a Demo
cratic and Conservative administration,
the negroes enjoy as many rights as they
do in anv State in the Union, and there IS
as little prejudice against them on accounS
of color as in any of the Northern States.
BY our State laws they have the right 70
vote, TO hold Office, to testify in courts, TO
sit on juries, TO acquire aud hold property,
both real and personal, and to enjoy all the
benefits of a common school system, eS-
tablished and paid for mostly by the white
people of the State. If let alone there
would beentire harmony between the races,
and general prosperity would be the result;
but. unfortunately, il seems to be the desire
of certain parties, for personal and political
ends, t. engender strife between them, just
previous to an election.
The Civil Rights bill, sO-called, seems TO
have been intended to bring about the I'M
fortunate state of affairs which now exists
in MANY of the Southern States, our own
among the number. The object of that
bill seems TO have been to poison the minds
of the black race, and TO intiaDle their pas
osions and prejudices, so as TO bring them
into antagoniSm with the white race, with
(Which they had been living on terms Of
friendship and good will. 1t has produced
ITS legitimate fruits. First, by arOusing
the passions Of the negroes 50 rs to cause
,them TO utter infammatOTy sentiments and
ITO form unlawful combinations and CON
spiracies, and then il has naturally excited
the white people to such an extent that
some reckless men, disregarding the obi
CATION Of law, have been induced TO COM
nit acts of violence, bringing repToach
upon the State, though, as We feel, most
unjustly.
The men who planned these schemes to
destroy the harmony between The white
and the black races, by pressing the pas
sage of bill that could be of no benefit to
either race, are the real authors Of the law
IeSsness which unhappily prevails among
few men in some parts Of the country.
These same men are now trying to take
advantage Of the wrongs they have conf
mitted, and by misrepresentation and
abuse, to influence the popular mind Of the
Northern people against those who have
done no wrong, and who are in no wise re-
sponsible for deeds of violence, which they
condemn. All tins is done to gain party
advantage, and 10 carry popular elections.
lift is intended to Introduce social equal
ity between the white and black races, this
never can be done by legislation, though
the attempt TO do it may cause serious dis
turbances TO the interests Of
both.
There may be a few negroes in the cOun-
Try who are unwilling TO associate with
their own race, and who desire TO force
themselves into the society Of the white
Eueople unsolicited. but such we do not be
lieye 10 be the sentiments Of the great body
of the black race among US. They fare not
ashamed of their own race, or unwilling TO
10 associate with persons of their own
color. This bill is not urged in the in
terest of the black race, but is
pressed either with view TO &C
complish a party and mercenary pur-
nose, or 10 crafty the few Self-conceited,
Ambitions negroes who are unwilling or
ashamed 10 acknowledge phe equality Of
other negroes with themselves. We OPP
nose this bill because it must necessarily
nroduee an antagonisn between the races
hurtful to both and destructive to the best
interests ofthe country. We oppose It be
cause it will destroy the system OF free
schools in Tennessee and other southern
States from which the black race may de
rive so many benefits. We oppose II because
Il is an attempt by legislation TO coniro
the social habits and customs OF a people
we oppose il because il would lead 70 sucI
interference on the part OF the tedera
Government with the local dhfi-s VI '4'
people as will destroy the last yeStlge o.
States rights.
The tendency Of the Federal government
20 Capitalization is increasing with alarm
ing rapidity. Soon, if matters proceed IL
the same direction they have been doing
for some time, there will be no remnant
left of the rights of the States, or OF loca
selfgoyernment. The creature will a6 S
ali the powers Of the creator, and this Gov