Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-25
Low EAxREPuRLICANs
Hold = Lively and Enioyahle
Picnic at Estival Park.

s--~----~-~--~
The low tax Republicans Of this
community opened the picnic season
and the summer political campaign
last night at Estivai Park. It was
given mainly under the auspices Of
the low tax Colored Republicans, but
there wasquite sprinkling of whites.
There we're music. dancing and re-
freshments and all the features of an
ordinary picnic, and all seemed to
enjoy themselves highly; but there
was another feature or aspect of the
occasion which was quite unusual.
The low tax element in the Republi-
can party Of Shelby outnumbers the
high takers ten to one, and they were
determined, as announced beforehand,
to give some expression to their SEN
timents.
About eleven o'clock a meeting was
organized. Charles Wilson, colored,
was called to the chair, and after re-
marks by Prof, B. K. Sampson and
Mr.. Froman, the following resolutions
we're adopted:
Whereas, the Supreme Judges Of
Wonnaeaan hauo - Al ~, -. -, 49,.
nounced the recent Legislative act to
be unconstitutional, null and void,
and altogether contrary to the meas
ures necessary to fair and impartial
settlement of our bonded Indebtedness,
the act itself being one of injustice
and usurpation, exacting dues when
they never existed, and shifting obi
cations where they did not lawfully
belong; and
Whereas, brave and true men of the
bar, ever watchful of the rights and
interests of the people, deprecating
this act as an imposition upon the
sovereignty of the State and one two
intolerable to be borne, did file an
injunction in the courts by which
means signal triumph has been won
in vindication of fair play and the
Commonwealth; therefore,
Resolved, That in our mutual con
CALCULATIONS over this decision, fraught
with such vast interest to the future
growth and prosperity of the State, We
renew our obligations to maintain tc
the extent of cur power the good name
of the State of Tennessee.
Resolved, That while the State feels
itself pledged to pay every dollar o.
her bonded Indebtedness, it owes t.
itself to allow the perpetuation of nc
ioul handed fraud against the people
as debtors to intriguing manipula.
tors.
Resolved, That the laws by which
railroad bonds were issued, having
been openly violated, the conditions
for the mutual protection of the dobtoI
and creditor having been disregarde1
the subscriptions being invalidate6
and the bonds being sold at less than
par, We urge the acceptance of such
terms only as will be just and honor.
able to a proud and enlightened
people.
Resolved, That inasmuch as we love
fair dealing, and while we would moi
ask bona Gde bondholders to take lesl
than what is their right, yet we can,
not afford to stultify ourselves By
allowing the fraudulent bondholdei
more than is his due in equity.
Resolved, Not being unwilling tC
surrender the people into the hands o.
an oligarchy by paying what the State
does not owe, we the more earnestly
protest against bearing the burden O.
undeserved bondage ~ assuming the
obligation Of fraudulent bonds whether
outstanding or paid.
Resolved, That we reaffirm and In
dorse the principles and actions of thu
late county Republican Convention
aud pledge themselves to stand upoI
the measures Of that platform.
This sounds like business, and i
means that the masses intend to thiul
and act for themselves, instead o
blindly following little squad o
Office holders and self constitutes
leaders. They have heretofore, il
many instances, been misreptesente,
in State Conventions and in the Legis
lature, but there is a day of reckon
ing at haLd for the old bosses
A new set Of leaders, bold, thought
ful and intelligent, and in full sym
pathy with the common people, VIII
toll with hand and brain for an homes
living, are coming to the front. Their
is ample room and opportunity 70
them. The colored people of thi
county are waking to the fact that thi
debt was created when they wer
property, and assessed as such tn
same as land, mules, bonds, or otht
chattels, and that now they are e1
pected to turn around and help pa
that debt. This is one
the effects of slavery, from whic
it appears the high tsxel
and bondholders do not intend
let them escape. The bonds wei
based largely on slave labor, whiC
has since become free labor. I'll
colored people, as a class, are not AM
ious to help pay any gre,
part of debt created in sue
Il q IL