Year: 1869

Governor Senter Submits His Mes


sage to the Legislature. ue


NASHVILLE, October II. 2.-Governor
Senter submitted his message to the
Legislature to-day. Tt was admirable
in temper and an able argument OF
his propositions. 1t created a pro,
found impression, especially those
portions discussiUg the Fifteenth
Amendment and the public debt.
After a brief reference TO the bless
ing of the National Government, the
wa~ the, consequences thereof, be
dis. .4sses the franchise question,
directing that the time has come for
the re moval of all in quality of priVi-
legcs for political causes, and recon-
mends the prompt and most efficient
measures to restore all citizens to
their rights and privileges.


In regard to the night of suffrage of
negroes, he says: If they have an
equql voice In choosing those who
make the laws, they must equally
obey, and for the violation of which
they are held to equal liabilities.
Does not this strike at the whole
idea of Teciprocation, obligations
aud rights fundamental to this
representative Republic. / know
it is urged with vehemence that
colored suffrage and equality in
citizenship are repugnant to the
American people, and that it is even
opposed by a large majority of the
NOrthern States, but submit to can
dor, if this is not tho cry of a party
rather than the voice of the people,
and spoken through its lawfully con-
stituted authorities, and of a party
which, let it be deliberately pom
dered, has little cause for its
honor to crave a balance sheet of
advantage and disasters. its coun-
sells have brought to the people of this
and other Southern States. The i'm
partial justice of this and other South
ern States demand the proof of the
charges which may be brought to de-
grade a race, the fortune of which,
without agency on its part, are identi-
fed with this land. If the objections
urged to eolored citizenship be found
ed in truth, may not those who are
Immediately charged with the interest
of the State where it exists nationally
and rightly protest against the con-
centrating of the evil upon them to
the exemption of States where 1t does
not exist. If the Intelligence of the
race be sufficient to qualify them for
citizenship, it will yet be found enough
to prevent a change of domicile, from
where the advantages of citizenship
are enjoyed, to where they are denied


Further, the Congress of the United
| States has, hy a decided majority,
formally proposed the amendment
in question as part of the
policy of the Government; and l am
impressed that it would, under exist
ing conditions, be especially fortunate
that this State should accept and
ratify it first under the conceived OBJ
| legation of many OF the Northern peo-
ple. If not, its masses should, for
reasons to dwell upon, secure the col
ored population against apprehending
dangers. Much may depend upon the
action of Tennessee as to the time and
conditions for the restoration of other
Southern States and their people to
| their former respective relations
with the General Government,
which is identified with her in
past suferings. yet have rot been
| equally fortunate in regarding their
advantage as States In the Z ZION.


Again, there are many worthy men
of Tennessee. who labor under the
disabilities imposed by Con ass, and
whom, consequently. our State powers
are inadequate to reach. Joined to
all this, the State itself, in its
exhausted condition, has most
seriously became complicated with
the General Government in its rail
road and other important material in
terests. The adoption of the amend
ment by a Legislature more thor
oughly representative of her whole
people than any fortune has afforded
since the war, would at once tend to
inspire confidence with the Northern
| people, create a friendly interest In
Congress, and perhaps win the strong
helping hand of the General Govern
meut In our many wants.


TNoTE.-The balance of this is SO
badly mixed up that no sense can be
made out Of it. OPERATOR.