Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-09-25
NASHVILLE. TENN, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25. 1874

with plunder was turned into sympathy
With the victims of murder. 1t is to be
hoped that by this time the people OF the
south have learned that those who disgrace
them by deeds of bloody violence are
Their Worst Enemies.
Let them act upon that lesson. Let them
dissolve their white mems leagues, for eve
ry organization based upon a distinction
runs upon color. II is not entirely wrong
In itself but harmful to both races. Let
them make the poor negro feel that he has
not only willing but an active protector
In every good citizen. Let them under
stand that the most efficient method to
nght the thieves who rule them, is by re-
lentlessly suppressiDg tie murderous ruff
fans among themselves who strip
them Of the sympathy of the
country. Silent disapproval is good. In-
tentions are nothing. Mere public resolu-
tons are nothing; only vigorous action will
avail. Only the practical punishment OF
the malefactors will serve. They justly
demand that no thief shall find grace be-
cause be is Republican with them. Be
canse he is Democrat. Let party spirit
cease to be shelter to the criminal. No
white mans league will do them any good
an anti Iuffian league of which
every good citizens is an active member.
i say this as true friend of the southern
people who has more than once raised his
voice against the wrongs they have suffer-
ed, and hail with gladness the spirit ami
mating
The Governor OF Tennessee,
who does not rest until all the murderers of
Gibson county are in the clutches Of the
Law, and the charge Of that Kentucky judge
who tells his grand jury that if they fail to
indict not only the man who committed the
murder, but also the sheriff who wilfully
neglected to arrest that murderer, he will
find grand juTymen in another county who
will do their duty. In that spirit which
will relentleSsly pursue the lawless ele-
ments of society as the common enemy
there is.
salvation
for the Southern people. Let that spirit
prevail in the South, and no partisan spirit
in the North will be strong enough to battle
the sympathy which their misfortunes de-
serve. The South will again enjoy the
largest constitutional measure Of selfgov
ernment, and one Of the greatest Of
those dangers will disappear which at pres
ent threaten the most vital part Of our re-
publican institutions.
After showing the bad effects OF teaching
the negroes that their safety lay in Organi-
zatiOn as a race against the whites, and
making them partisan supporters Of coTup-
tiOn and robbery, and denouncing the men
who did this as
The Cruelest. Most TreaeherOus and
the Most DastardIy Enemies
the colored people ever bad, he discussed
the Civil Rights bill. After saying he
could not support the bill, because he re-
garded it unconstitutional, he said if i be-
comes a law, it will break up the whole
public school system of the Southern
States, and nobody will be greater sufferers
thereby than the cOlOred people. 1t is a
well known fact that in the States contain
ing the bulk Of the eOlOred population
there existed wide spread and powerful
prejudice against the Introduction Of the
system of common schools to be supported
al public expense. We know something
of that even in Missouri. Il is equally
well known that a large majority Of the
white people Of these States, even large
majority of those who are sincerely anx-
ious to secure to the colored children the
largest possible advantages Of education in
separate establishments, still are very
strongly, nay, violently, opposed to any law
which. like the Civil Rights bill, would
force the admission Of oOlOred children to
eether with white children in the same
school room. That opposition exists, and
we have to deal with it as fact Try to
enforce, under such circumstances, the sys-
tenn Ofmixed schools and
what Will be the Result:
The old prejudice against system of
pabic instruction TO be supported by taxa
tion, as it still exists in the States in ques-
tion, will at once find itself powerfully re-
enforced, and, 20 an attack so strengthened
against a defense in the same measure
weakened, It is most probable that systems
of instruction labOriously built up
will succumb. There is scarcely
greater misfortune conceivable
that could befal these communities. But
what would especially the colOred people
have gained? Now they have at least their
separate schools at the public expense as
part of the general system Destroy that
system and they will have no mixed schools,
while their separate schools will perish
also. Would the law then benefit the col
ored race at all? 4 colored man might in
deed then enforce his rights to ride all over
the country in a Pullman palace car, to
board al first class hotel and to sit in the
dress circle of theatre, but such things
eau be enjoyed under any circumstances
only by the small number of wealthier
people among them, and these pleasures
and conveniences of their few men of
means would be
Purchased at a Dreadful Price.
The interruption ofthe public schoOlsystem
the advantages of which they now exten-
siyely enjoy in separate establishments,
would deprive the children Of the poor Of a
thing which is as necessary to them as
their daily bread. But in still other re-
spects, the enforcement Ofsuch law would
not be beReGcent to the eOlored people. 1t
would be dangerous venture to the color
ed people if their social positions were
made the objective point of a new strife
under circumstances so unfayOrable. Now
that they have the political rights of citi-
zenship, it is much wiser and safer for
| them to trust TO the means they already
have to make themselves respected and TO
leave all else to the gradual progress Ofpub-
lie opinion, which has already OutgrOwn
| manv prejudice that few years ago still
/ SEeIlltu luhllANAbtNs
He then says the way to solve the most
difficult problem of protection to the col
Ored people is
In Their Own Hands.
Instead of exercising over one another a
| system of terrorism in order to enforce
| party discipline, they should encourage
amongthemselves individual independence.
Not in union is there safety, but in di-
| vision. lie then cites as an example TO
them, the adopted citizens of the coun-
| try. AS long as they in an almost solid
body stood together on the side Of one
| party, the other thought of taking
| their rights from them. But no sooner die
they break their ranks and divide, thai
both sides stood up for them with equa
zeal. 1t is a lesson easily understood. Al
soon as the cOlOred citizens in the SOutl
shake off the odium which arises from thei
having as a solid organized mass been th'
main support of the worst kind OF partisan
rule, as soon as every one OF them casts hi
vote on this side or the other, as his opin
ions or inclination may dictate, each party
will make their protection a specia
object, in order to attract
majority of their votes, and when thes'
votes shall have become so numerous tina
the colored voters become an important el
ement in both parties, the fullest measur
of protection will be afforded them. Tha
| r-;II IL ,,c-a 10 cfop h1oOiy ovcaCSpS in tl