The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1890-05-10
Rights of the Confederate Soldier to
vote Must and Shall be Protected.

vote Must and Shall be Protected.
man is ''narrow-minded," as the
ollicent editor of the Brookhaven
oder. Mr.. B. r. Hobbs, says that
nt J. J. Slack is, for preferring the
esent ballot system to any that would
nriye the "old confederate soldier''
his vote, we can say in return, that
are are tens of thousands all over this
,ntry who are down with the same
lv hallucination, for if the idea is
founded on truth and justice, it
,st be hallucination. The man
10 does not SEE the power and in
ence of those men, who risked their
res to the storm of powder and ball,
weary march, the short rations,
open camp, with all the other in
merable hardships of military duty,
short sighted, no matter how broad (?)
mind may be. From earliest
tory the man that fought for his
lntry's rights and honor, has come
Vn through all the ages, as not only
tiled to all the privileges that law
his own country could grant, but in
other lands and governments, he
been honored as the patriotic de-
der of his people. The State that
debar any of them from the ballot.
for crime, where the ballot has
Rr been free, will in the end find that
has struck blow that will rebound
some time to torment her prosperity.
little Spartan band that fell at
ermopyle over two thousand years
in southern Greece, is still re-
lnbered with pride and admiration,
lie the place is a shrine for the
riots true devotion, and LeOnidas,
ir herioc leader, is the theme of
bool defamation and forensic elo-
ence in all civilized lands. So it is
th us on every battle field, wherein
uthern blood flowed in the fierce
luggle of the two sections OF the
bion. Just as it has been from earliest
he. and in all climes, the soldier that
hts for his home and flag, will be
bpected while living; and will be ex-
lded from no right to which he is
titled, without leaving a stain upon
powers that be, which sanctions the
rk of injustice. No matter what
trictions the convention may throw
bund the elective franchise, we
build be exceedingly troubled to see
brave confederate deprived of
thright which he has exercised un-
his head is gray with years, and his
lures indented with hardship, be-
lse he has never had the opportunity
education. Better let dozen peace
e negroes vote, than deprive hall
len true white men of the privilege.
Savior taught.the doctrine that
! better to let ninety and nine un-
men go free, than punish one
hteous.n This great law in morals
ould hold good in elections as we'll as
other departments of civil govern
ent. No law founded upon injustice
n stand. as it is disturbance OF
hovah's moral government. Small
it may seem to our short-sighted
sion it will have its retroactive
fee somewhere and at some time in
e administration of civil laws. 1t is
1t our purpose to defend Capt. Slack
h narrow-mindedness, as he is eminent
able to stand by his own rights, char
tier and person, but the SENTINEL
hs ever been the friend of the confed-
fate soldier, whether he belonged to
he higher or lower walks of life,
3hether educated with the honors OF a
bllegiate graduate or reared up in
he uninlighteped backwoods, where
ehool houses and churches even, were
n almost unknown quantity, provided
[e proved a brave soldier in time of the
lar, and loyal citizen since. The sen,
incl has spoken and will speak tol
hem wherever their rights, political
bcial or civil are, in our judgment
hfringod, and if it is a sign ola narrow
hind to claim for them the right tt
ote, put us down as narrow-mlnded te
Is narrowest limits.
The latest opinion of the attorney