The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-11-12
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II Is now time Tor feEnesseans To
think seriously Of recognizing their
State government, and to do this, but
one way Is open, which il entirely prac-
ticable; sndthat isto hold State Con
stitutional Convention, to adapt the
Constitution 10 the demands Of the age,
and 70 the new circumstances by which
we are as . people, surrounded.
The arguments in favor Of continuing
slavery, or in favor of gradual enamel
patiop, which.may once have had weight
are no longer Of any yaluea The ne
gro, today, Is positively free; the mas
ter cannot control his old slave and
those who willingly serve in their old
capacity, are few in number The ac-
tual relations between the white man
and the negro, at this time, is that Of
one freeman to another. Ia
Whatever may be the technical legal
claims Of the master they are Of no val
ue, practically; and therefore we shall
not now stop TO consider them The
strongest argument ever advanced in
favor Of maintaining slavery, was that
it existed among Us, and it was not best
70 disturb existing relations; but grant
ing its original force, itnow as certainly
points to emancipation by law-imme-
diately and unconditional IL ever
did in opposite direction
The negroes cannot be .enslaved,
without disturbing actual reRtions
therefore all constitutional powers
which could give The master color Of
right to again seize his negro, should at
once be abolished. Their continued
existence might give rise to anarchy
but they could never re-establish ala.
very, LOW that its foundations have been
sapped.
We all know how the institution be-
came demorslized Its existence was
staked, by the shareholders, on the issue
Of arms; and as all, save themselves,
knew, the tide Of fortune has been
against them; and now they must not
complain Of the consequences Of their
own acts. If every slave in Tennessee
ia practicaliya freeman, the war has
made him 50 and his old masters fred
the first gun lsss
It may be said that a Constitutional
Convention would be irregular We
deny it, but for the sake Of argument,
will grant this much 10 our enemies.
But how did that originate Whence
came this political chaos Why was
every Office in the State left vacant in
1892 Let our opponents answer the
question; and when they have answer
ed it, let US hear their plan for re-estab-
fishing order without some irregularities
and II We are 10 have these, why not |
strike at the source Of all our difficult
ties at once.
Tho scheme IS revolutionary, is it,
" 10 .ag 80 hD-N II 40 II A0yA1 Np- /
pealed to revolution and who have |
either been IN arms against the govern
ment ever since, or have been at home,
doing what lay in their power to thWart |
the efforts OF the government, to put
down rebellion. There are few good |
Unicn men who oppose a convention;
but nineteen-tBentieths Of those who
object are rebel sympGthizers.
With perfect unanimityi the loyal
press Of the State favors Constitution
al Convention; and We believe one win |
soon be called; and it becomes true
Union men 70 60 to work at once.
Let US have - or 100 delegates elect
cd, -by general ticket, SO that the
voice Of the State may have a full, fair,
and free expression, and session Of
twenty four hours will besufRcient TO ef-
feet revision Of the constitution, which
will render Tennessee free in law, as it
il free IN fact