Year: 1866

Gov. BRowNLow, In his message to the Ter
nessee Legislature, thus refers to the question
on negro suffrage: t',--


An eventful year, however. has passed since
It was written; and while unforeseen events
nave happened, contingencies therein contem-
plated have also occurred. The colored race
have shown q greater aptitude for learning and
intelligence than was expected, and by their
good conduct and steadfast loyalty have randi
~ won upon the good opinion and respect of
the white race; while the late rebels, under the
announcement of the President have shown
less disposition to return to true loyalty than
was hoped for These manifestations have oc
casioned rapid advancement of the national
sentiment in favor ofimpartial suffrage.


In the message to which I have alluded,
while candidly admitting that NEGRO voting
cannot suit my natural prejudices of caste It
Is yet stated that there is class OF them L
would be willing to see vote at once" The
opinion is also expressed shat negro suffrage
Is bound to follow as one of the great results
OF the rebellion; and that the time would
come when it would be proper and right" but
that the time had not then come, the great oh
lection being to "the immediate and indiscrim-
mate entranchisement OF the negroes" but it is
directly insisted, in the message to which i re-
fer, that "if rebels are to be restored to the
rights OF the elective franchise, let us no lon
ger deny those political rights to the late slaves
who have been faithful among the faithless."-
still adhere to the opinion that "al this great
oNpSAJ oSoiAoe HOSAO NOIluB III any c0nCIn-
gency, comes from a lingering sentiment of
disloyalty in the South" :


In all the States lately in rebellion. except
Tennessee, the rebels have been fully restored
to the rights of the elective franchise" and
even in our own State, under somewhat strin-
gent suffrage law, a large number of disloyal
persons are unavoidably allowed to VOTE
Whether the time has come when it is "proper
and right to confer the ballot upon the color
ed man, or whether that time is approaching
at which that sacred right shall accrue to him
are questions demanding your earnest consid.
GRAFTON and final decision. The admirers and
followers of the President cannot, with any
show of consistency, oppose the enfranchise-
ment of the negro.
In an authorized and approved statement of
his opinions, made public by his direction, long
| since his accession to the Presidency, he de-
clares that if he were "in Tennessee he would
endeavor to introduce negro suffrage He de-
cIares that he would begin with three classes
on negroes to be admitted to vote at once


Ihose who had served in the army; those who
could read and write; and those having a prom
erty qualification of $500 or $3.50" Tins by a
system not very gradual, he desired to extend
the privilege to the entire race. If what ia
termed the Radical party in the Legislature
shall agree with the President and his follow
ers on the question of negro suffrage it would
seem that an excellent opportunity for agree
ment and concihation on vexed question
will be presented, and that the negro may be
enfranchised with unanimity. AS for myself
while have confessed to those preiudices of
CASTE resulting from education and lifelong
habits, am free to say that desire to act in
harm6ny with the great body of the loyal peo-
pie of the Union.