The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-13

soldier race"
"There is another fact that then was ,
subject of comment and universal com
mendation. II was the position which
Mr.. Lamar took before his own people Oh
the occasion when he was renominated fol
Congress, and his insisting, after accepting
il, upon the adopting OF resolution which
he read 10 the nominating convention
pledging them against the formation o
any party based on difference of race and
color, and invoking the good citizens Of
every race TO unite together In securing
the blessing Of liberty. Following is the
text of that resolution:
Resolved, That we are opposed TO the
formation OF parties among the people OF
this State founded upon difference OF
race. or color, and We cordially invoke the
union Of all good citizens OF every race and
color in patriotic efforts 10 defeat at the
next election the present State administra-
ton and its supporters, and 10 secure for
all the blessings OF honest and capable
government
''During the same year he appeared be-
fore the State convention OF Mississippi at
time when the people eere aroused by
party and race passion TO array themselves
ms white race against the negro and he
Bittttu WIN tit PtoDi' NV w ioim SuNh
an organization. give his very words.
III any one thing is true the people OF
Mississippi have pledged themselves TO
sustain the three amendments 10 the con-
stitution, and have no power or desire TO
change them. They confer upon the
newly eniranchiscd race the sacred rights
of free men, and their rights are your du-
ties, impaired by any act Of yours, your
duties are BY that same act violated. The
speaker felt IL his duty 10 ascend TO this
high position on this subject Any effort,
said he looking 10 the abridgment Of their
rights is fraught with disaster aud burden
and ruin 10 this people. The color line
was talked of. lie declared that II would
be ruinous 10 the victon II victory could
be won in that way. II is not right; IL is
not republican. One OF the principles OF
democratic governments is that all parts Of
the body polite shall contribute TO its sup
port and control. Any race organization
which seeks 10 assert the exclusive man
agement of country may have good gov
eminent. but cannot have liberty. II is
tyranny unmixed, and is fnIught with dis
asfer.'
These are not the uttcrances OF dema-
gogue and n time-server, and they were
not 10 considered nj the time. There il
another fact which made not only deep
impression upon my mind but Judgment
IN the minds OF the people Of the north of
both parties When Mr.. Sargent, of Cali
fornia, introduced an amendment TO n
measure putting Gen. Grant on the retired
list, with pension adequate TO his rank,
Mr. Lamar, singly and alone among the
Democrats Of the north and south, rose
and advocated that measure OF Justice 10
the great Union commander, and recorded
his vote for II, and remained and con
tinued III steadfast supporter until il was
finally passed by a unanimous vote OF the
Senate.
"To break the force Of all that he has
said in favor OF the constitution as Il is and
the duty OF the southern people TO observe
and obey the new amendments, hc has
been charged with voting against a icsolu-
ton introduced into the senate by the dis
unguished senator from Vermont affirm
ing the validity Of the thirteenth, four
tcenth and fifteenth amendments TO the
constitution. How disingcnuous all this
will appear when the excitement Of this
conics, passes away and when II is cmem.
bcrpd that Mr. lamar, while these rcsolu.
lions werc pending, voted In favor Of
declaration Of the amendments and OF
their binding force equally with that oi
the original constitution. The record OF
the Senate shows the following facts On
the 1th day Of January, 1872. Mr. Ed
munds introduced Ia the senate the fol.
lowing resolution:
Resolved, That the thirteenth. four.
tccnth aud fifteenth amendments to the
constitution Of the United States have
been legally ratified and an, ~ valid and
NIs
other part OF the constitution; that the
people of each State have common interest
ia the Enforcement uf the whole oonstitu.
ton In every State in the Union, and ID Il
alike the right and duty OF Congress 10 en-.
force said amendments and tn protect every
citizen In the exercise oi all the rights
thereby secured by laws Of the general
character already pissed for that purpose.
aud by further appropriate legislation ~
far as such enforcement and protection are
not secured by existing laws, and that IL il
the duty oi the executive department Of
the government faithfully and with dill.
gcncc, Ia carry all such laws into Impartial
execution, and OF Congress to Appropriate
NIL moneys needfu 10 that enid onqncs-
siOnoi Rco,d, w. VI, PAT |, Pdgs 81.
ION the Goth day oi the same month Of
January, 1879, Mr.. Morgan introduced the
following resolution, 10 he a substitute Tor
that introduced by Mr.. Edmundx
Resolved, That the thirteenth, four
tecnth and tiiccnth amendments To the
constitution Of the United States an as valid
and binding as any other part OF the con.
stitunon; that the people Of the United
rtates have common Interest in the en-.
forooment Of the whole constitution In
every state and Ia the Territories oi the
United states, 40 Ear a. the power has been
delegated 10 them 10 enforce said amend.
nicnis, and 20 protect every citizen in the
exercise Of all the rights thereby aoluip,,l.'
-.-Coagya'io''d. hsooni, loi. PJlL., Part l.,
"1his was accompanied by other rcaolu.
tons, declaraiory of the Views IT their
author ~ 10 the power conferred upon
Congress by these amendments. II will
lie observed that the resolution oi Mr.. ri.
munds declares that the amendments
named have been legally ratified and arr
as valid ~ any other part oi the cunsiitu.
ton, while the resolution Of Mr.. Moryan
declares that thcsc amendments ara as
valid and binding ~ any other part of The
constitution, but omiis the declaration
that they arr legally ratified.
"Mr. Lamar voted iof the Morgan r,so.
luton February 8, 1870 Congressional
Record, vol. Y part ?, y. l,O2ll lie voted
against the E,lmundH resolutions ON tho
same day Ibid, .. l,020.l concur with
Mr.. lamar that the amendments 10 the
constitution arr valid and think the suy.
gcstion Of Mr. EdInunds' resolutions that
they are valid because they have been nrg.
ularlv rufihal raia.. a a,,..ti.., ........-.l,