The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-02-25
AN ADDRESS.
Wise Words from Southern
Democrats in Congress.

WASHINGTON, D. c., February 1s.-The
following address has just been issued by the
Democratic members of Congress Of the South
and Southwest:
"To the people of the Southern States:
"You have confded to the undersigned, in
this conjunction of affairs, the delicate and
difficult task Of guarding in the Federal Con-
gress your public interests, your rights and
your reputation. You will therefore pardon
the liberty we take of addressing at period
so critical, upon a matter affecting your des--
tiny and that ofyour posterity. You cannot
have failed to observe the persistent efforts of
some leaders of the Republican party to re-
vive the animoslties of the late war, which
happily arc fast giving place to spirit ofcOn-
cord and unity in every section of our com
mon country. 1t is impossible to predict
with Gel tainty the effect Of these appeals to
passion. We believe through the honest rep
RESERVATIONS of few upright and conscien-
tious Federal officers and agents, An independ-
ent and able public press, and of many citi-
zens, without regard to party, the true con-
di ton Of the Southern States and real senti-
ment of the Southern people is being gradu
ally made known to our fellow citizens of the
North. We hope for their favorable decision
when fully appraised of all the facts. The
great ends OF good government will be reach
ed when the people Of ali the sections forget
that we have ever been enemies, and come
together again as in the early days ofthe Re-
public, emulating each other only in devotion
&c the best interests OF the whole country.
With this exalted purpose in view, there's
nothing inconsistent with the honor and
manhood of brave people to resolve to
SUFFER- WITH HEROIC PATIENCE
whatever their provooaGons and wrongs,
! looking through the fearful present TO hope
/ full future, and repelling unjust epithets and
| gratuitous insults, with dignihed modifca-
/ ton. Let every white man in every neigh
/ borhood in the whole South, regard himself
/ as a commissi )ner Of the peace, maintaining
/ the kindest relations toward the black man,
| remem bering the responsibility for the eN-
/ treme poverty to which we have been reduced,
and the corrupt governments his vote has
/ subjected us to, rests not so much upon him
/ as upon the bad men who, with the assurance
/ of Federal support, have by appeals to his
/ worst passions, sought 70 make him our worst
! enemy, while we labor by all honest means
| to convince him that our interests and his are
i identical, and both must be preserved by good
| govern ment, and that those who stir mp strife
1 between Is are enemies OF both races. Let
us at the same time see that he is guaranteed
| rights to vote as he pleases in all elections.
! and fairly and lot US continue cordially to in
| yite to our midst those who, Of any political
party, either seek to kI ow truth or find homes
/ upon oar soil. We do not exaggerate when
| we admonish You of the disheartening fact
/ that every street disturbance, every homicide,
] of whatever character, by whomsoever com
mitted, by black or white, Republican OF
I Democrat, such AZ arc incident TO every com
| munity upon earth. is perverted into evil
/ denee of spirit of lawleSsneSs and violence,
and purpose 10 accomplish political ends.
We well know the gross injustice of such
/ charges, which have weight only where igRo-
| rance Of our true condition prevails. Stran-
I uous efforts are now being made by those who
represent you, 70 induce the passage by Con-
| gress OF most dangerous measures, in order
to irTitate our people, drive them TO despair,
and provoke them TO violent outbreaks in
order TO furnish an excuse for applying for
military interference. We express the hope
! that 3 majority Of the present Congress will
not be found ready to sanction such legisla-
ton. Tit be accomplished, il would be
l gainst the protests not only of democrats, but
I OF the moral worth aud statesmanship here
Of the party in power, and Of such Repubh-
ans and others, whose patriotism and sense
Of Justice are known to the entire country.
/ We may, however, mistake the most extreme
\ oppressive and unconstitutional measures
I that may be imposed upon you. In such an
I event we would appeal 20 the wisdom and
patriotism of long suffering people by every
hope OF the future Tor continued forbearance,
/ and hopeful reliance upon virtue and sense OF
justice Of the American people for the ulti
mate yindieatiOp Of our rights, the protection
/ Of our liberties, and the safety Of our repub-
lcan form Of government
Signed by Senators Goldthwaite, Steven
son, Norwood, Cooper, Condor, Ransom OF
North Carolina, MeCrary, Bogy, johnson,
[ Aerrimon and signed by the follow ing mem
boTs Of the House Of Representatives: Cook
Caldwell, Bell, Bromborg, Atkins, Waddell
Geddings, Herndon, Mills, Willie, Handbook
CrittOndon, John Young Brown, Harris,