Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-01-01
For TIE Uaioa and american


PLEA FOR TIE PEOPLES REPRESENTATIVES
In communication in the the Nashville Patriot
Mrs FRENCH advocates the establishment of Nor
ual school in Tennessee; and che takes occasion
to characterize the Tennessee Legislature as "a
company of idlers who can only de6le your beau
tiful capitol with the fumes Of brandy and tobBc.
CO." 1t is a custom-how it came to be so I can
not tell, nor will say why in this enlightened age
of the world the custom is net obsoete-but it is
q custom prscticed by many, including takers,
public speakers, writers, those Of some preten-
sions to intellect, as well as the uninformed, to
speak Of Legislative Assemblies in the style Of
Lady FRENCH. The bitter vituperation thus poured
out against many of as good men as the country
affords, is but q rehssh of what thousands have
said before. This I conceive to be one grand
cause of msay modest and pure-hearted men re-
fusing a seat in the State Legislature. Hence,
thus to speak, is to aid in creating barrier to the
promotion Of such men as will furnish US a code of
laws founded on justice and purity.
But very much doubt the moral right Of any
lady or gentleman to call ia question the patriot
ism, the intelligence the moras or the deoency of
q deliberative body for refusing to enact law
that may be advocated by any class Of the com.
rnunity. Legislators are acting under oaths it is
their duty to consider the various interests Of the
people, and the financial condition of the State is
an important item. Some would spend all the
spare capital on education, other on railroads or
similar projects, each believing that they are right
Hence different views must be hRrmonizsd. And
whoever proclaims the stupidity of sll who do not
appreciate any one project, presumes the existence
of sentiments more harmonious than we fad them
to have been in any period of the worlds history.
l was in and about the capitol of Tennessee
several weeks during the last session of the Gen
ersl Assembly. Except one Senator and one Rep
resentstive l believe the members had the char
scter of sobriety. And not few of them would
in point of morality compare with any communi-
ty. AS TO the use Of tobacco, doubtless many Of
them like a large number of the men and women
of this country, had imbibed what 1 conceive to
be an Objectionable practice.
The last as well as the preceding legislatures
enacted some laws that did not meet my approval,
and they failed to enact some f05 the purpose Of
suppressing some of the immortality in the country
that in my opinion was equally as important as the
Normal School bill However, I would be snx-
ious to see, at an expedient time, law of the
kind passed with proper location, and details 10
render it a sure foundation from which would
spring good number OF quali6ei teachers.
It may be indicate in one of my sex to at
temp. to chide, but when our law makers do tol-
eraby well, it gives me pain to hear them abused,
particularly with one broad sweep, thus, alike
piercing tie reputation of the innocent and the
guilty. We would recur to periods and countries
iu which the authors of certain in umsn lsws Ger.
tainly deserve ceusure, but not 50 with our own
Notwithstanding our code of laws is like bu-
man nature, somewhat imperfect, yet under those
laws we are happy people. Bravery, generosity,
kindness, hospitality and Contentment are leading
characteristics Of Tenuesseeans. Thus, instead Of
condemning 1 would rather praise those who have
taken the les1 in conducting US to our present ex-
allied position ORGA.
NORM FORK OF OBtoN, Dec %, 1856.