Year: 1868

He takes liberal and just view


of the policy which controls th'


State:


TULLAHoMA, Tenn, July 80, 1868


Hon. F. s. Richards, Speaker of the House of


Representatives, Nashville, Tennessee:


DEAR SIR-A memorial was cir


culated through this place and vi.


cinity a few days ago, asking the


honorable body over which you
preside to remove the disability


under which many ofsour citizens


are placed by the present franchise


law. | see from your proceedings


on Tuesday last that the memoir


al has been read to the House OF


Representatives, and, as some of


the members seem to have misun-


derstood its object and the status
of the signers, l have after consul


tation with several Republicans
who have affixed their names to


that document, concluded to write
this letter of explanation to your
honorable body. The memorial
was signed by every voter to whom
it was presented, both white and
colored, except four white men, and
the Republicans have a large ma


jority in this district. 1t was also
signed by many who are disfran-
chised. Our reasons as Republi-
cans, for asking the disability to be
removed are first, that it would be
an act of justice; second, an act
of policy to our party; third, a
great pecuniary benefit to our
State. o


AS an act of justice, a large ma
jority of our voters pay no taxes,
while the burden of taxation upon
those who cannot vote is indeed
heavy at this time. We under
stand the fundamental principles
of our Government to be directly
against taxation without represen-
tation, and we understand the doc
trines of the great National Repub-
lican party to be equal rights to
all men without regard to nativity,
color, Or former conduct. Our reb-
Ell friends here have acknowledged
their error, and have shown sim
cere evidences Of a determination
to support the government in the
future, and for the last three years
we have lived harmoniously to-
yether, and now we are willing to
to them the same privileges
it is our good fortune to enjoy. |


As an act ofpolicy to our party,
the great body of the republican
party entertains our sentiments on
this subject, and our present
course will drive them to the op-
oosite party, while it will win none
who are of doubtful politics. An
act SO magnanimous as that asked
or in the memorial would at this
lime challenge the admiration of
all parties throughout the land,
md wrest from our political adver-
'aries the most effective weapon
hey are now using against us.


As a great pecuniary benefit to
he State, we are fully satisfied
hat so soon as all men can go up
o the ballot-box and vote, perfect
peace and quiet will be restored
throughout the State, and never
until that is done. We then, and
not until then, can invite immi-
grants to our State and offer them
! quiet community. Hundreds
nave refused to settle among US on
account of our discriminating laws,
while many who are now here
threaten to leave US unless a
;hange is speedily made. 1t is i'm
possible under our franchise laws
or a loyal man from the North to
get certificate ofregistration after
having lived here long enough to
sntitle him to it. Our franchise
law, and the consequent disruption,
IS now the only drawback upon
the immigration movement. Set |
that matter all right, 4. G. have moi
franchise law; let all vote and pay
taxes, and in less than two years
after such a thing is done our State
will be overrun with the very
best class of immigrants from the
North. 1t is useless for me to
revert to the pecuniary adyanta-
ges growing out of such a state
of affairs.