Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-08-02
PULASKI
Meeting of COIOred voters ia Favor
of the Compromise.
correspondence of the American.


PULASKI, July 28, 1879.-Pursu-
ant to a call made by some of our
leading colored men, a large meet
ing of cOlOred voters was held on
last Saturday to consider the propO-
Sition to settle the State debt. The
convention assembled in the Circuit
Court room, and Richard Harris
was made Chairman, r. L. King
and G. =. Crawford Secretaries.
b. A. J. Nixon stated the object
of the meeting; that it had been
called for the purpose of having an
interchange of opinion and CONSUL
tation as to what was best to be
done in voting upon the proposition
to settle the debt at 50-4. The Yari-
Gus civil districts were then called,
and most of them found to be repre-
sented.
Robert l.. King, a school teacher
and a man of considerable intelli-
gence, was then called and gave
numerous reasons why the colOred
voters should accept the 50-4 prOpo-
sition. His speech was listened to
by the large audience with close at
tention.
r. f. Boyd then read the act to
settle the State debt and the procla-
nation of the Governor ordering an
election on the 18th of August next.
He then gave some of his experience
while porter of the last session of
the Senate, and said he had heard
all the arguments, both for and
against the proposition, by the able
Senators, and that in addition he
had studied the history of the debt,
and he thought he understood the
demand and the ability of the peo-
Pile. He then showed the advantage
of accepting the proposition and the
disadvantages of rejecting it. He
closed a very strong argument by
urging the colOred voters to speak
out on the side of honesty by voting
for proposition which, if carried,
would save the credit and honor of
the State.
1t was then requested by the
Chairman if there were any persons
present who opposed the measure
that they give their reasons there
for; the people wanted to do right,
and they could only know what was
a pause for Il moment was had,
and, as no one was present who de-
sired to speak for rejection, b. a. j.
Nixon was called and made a strong
speech in favor of the compromise.
He said he had heard it urged
among the colOred people that when
the debt was created they were
slaves and therefore should not vote
for any part of the debt. He re-
minded them that while it was true
a large portion of the debt was in
Cured prior to the war, it was done
for internal improvements
building of railroads, turnpikes and
other public works, all of which the
oolOred people now enjoy. He also
stated that nearly $4,000, 900 of the
bonds were issued by the Brownlow
administration. This administra-
ton was elected by colored men,
but few white men being allowed to
vote. He then asked his hearers
if the white men-the taxpayers of
the country-cOuld vote for the
Brownlow bonds and pay them,
why was it unfair for the colored
people to vote for and assist in pay
ing the ante-war bonds?
All of the speeches were well de-
livered and showed a degree of
intelligence far beyond mediocre.
Upon motion committee on res
buttons was then appointed, consist
ing of Press Massey, Anderson
Pointer, Americas Rhodes, Elijah
and B. A. j, Nixon, The
committee then reported resolutions
favoring the compromise and urg-
ing the people to vote for the ac-
which resolutions were
adopted. Much inter
est is being worked up among the |
cOlored voters, and an organization
in favor of acceptance has been |
effected.
1t is understood that Hon. John |
is a candidate for Con-
gress from this district, and that he /
will advocate reputation of Ma
tiOnal, State and private liabilities. /
He is still hunting this county in
to acceptance.