Year: 1869

The question which most interests the
people Of Tennessee at the present time,
and which, in ITSELF is, perhaps, more
pressing and important than any other, is
the elective franchise. On this subject
am free to say, that, in my judgment,
the time has come, and is now, when the
Limitations and disabilities which have
found their way into our statute books,
as the result OF the war should be abolt
ished and removed, and the privilege
of the elective franchise restored
and extended so as to embrace the mass
Of the adult population of the State.
In other words, am in favor Of so
amending the constitution and laws Of
the State that the present disfr anchising
clauses and provisions shall be made to
disappear from the same, and the privi'
lege OF the elective franchise made to
rest upon the facts and conditions of the
present instead of the past, and upon
principles Of impartiality equality and
justice. For, fellowscitizens, whatever
may have been the suggestions of pru~
dence, perhaps the dictate of imperative
necessity, Immediately after the war;
when the greater portion of the disfran-
chised people OF the State were fresh
from the support and service of the
Confederacy, to which they had acknowl-
edged and paid willing allegiance, when
in fact many il not most Of them were
paroled prisoners of war, and when the
disposition and purpose Of the general
government toward them had not been
made kn0wn,-before civil government
in the State had been fully recognized
and restored and before the peace~
ful disposition Of the majority
Of the late rebellious people
had become apparent-these reasons,
amply sufficient then, cannot be urged
now, when the civil government of the
State has been fully restored and firmly
established, when now the general goy~
ernment has extended amnesty and
pardon to all participants in the rebellion,
and when the mass Of the disfranehised
people Of the State can have no longer
hope or purpose of rebellion, are engaged
in the peaceful pursuits OF life, bearing
fully, and for the most part cheerfully,
their share OF the burdens Of the govern
ment, having, from necessity, no interests
as citizens, save in common with their
eufranchised neighbors, and such Is lie
in the promotion of the common good,
and especially when now the power Of
the general government has been placed
firmly in the hands of its friends, and the
declared policy of the nation is that Of
enfranchisement, and not o! disfranchise'
ment.


Disfranchisement was adopted As only
a temporary necessity growing out of the
needs and situation Of the time, and with
no expectation that it would be long con-
tinued; and there can be no reason for
its further continuance now except in a
selfish partisan ambition to gain Office, OF
a selfish partisan fear Of losing it. Dis
franchisement necessarily produces rest
lessness and discomfort, and, as We have
all seen, engenders animosities, discord
and strife. EQi


acknowledgements will, in my opinion
heal the animosities which have so long


divided our people, and bring concord


peace and prosperity to the State, while
at the same time it is most consonant
with the theory and principles of our
republican form Of government and with
the declared policy and purpose Of the
party now in power.


THE PIFTEEETH AMENDMENT.


Another matter in reference to which
l deem it proper that | should declare
my position at the present time, is the
proposed fifteenth amendment to thu
constitution of the United States


which provides for extending ant


securing to our colOred fellow citi


zens the full rights of politica


equality and citizenship throughout every


portion of our country. This amend


ment will be submitted to the Legis-


lature next to assemble, for its adoption


or rejection. | shall favor its adoption


believing it to be dictated by justice


sound policy and wise craftsmanship


The colored people of the United Statel


are largely in the minority, and agains


them, there is, even yet, | fear in mani


portions Of our country too much pre-
| judice, if not positive animosity. l wisl


to see their political equality and right


as American citizens recognized by tn


organic law of the land, and so protected


by its terms that it will not be with


in the reach or power of any party t


disturb them. Besides, the equality o


all men before the law is the fundament


al idea Of our republican government


Its practical adoption and recognition


the ultimate fact and necessity of th


government, and its adoption now wi
remove much Of the division, discor


and danger which will otherwise distur


the future. Fears have been expresse


that i. the disfranchised citizens Of Ten


nessse should be again admitted to th
ballot box and to the possession Of politi


cal power they would sndeavor 10 use
SO as to deprive our colored fellows cit
zens of the political privileges whic
they now possess. t3I,


| am assured and satisfied that sue
would not be the result, and have take
; the position / now occupy, and hay
! said what have in their behalf, upC
the assumption that they would be wi
! ling to guarantee to others, without di
tinction of color or previous condit ton


servitude, all the rights and privilege


they claim for themselves; and tru


that they will soon so express then
selves in the Endorsement to this amen'


ment, that all doubts and fears in refe
g ence to their position may be removed.
Y COMMON SCHOOLS.


t What Tennessee has for long tin
l most needed, and still needs is an ettiC


ent, practical system of common school
: Heretofore, education has been with
|, the means and reach of only the. ric
: while the poor mans children have be
: debarred its blessings. Ignorance m


have been the interest and necessity
A slavery. Education is certainly the
: terest Of free people and the necessi
Is ofa free government. If elected Cover
i or of the State, / shall recommend to t


Legislature measures looking to the su


cessful prosecution and psrfecting of t
= system contemplated and vigorously
n gun under the enlightened legislation
= the last General Assembly, and such


shall bring the requirement of an educ