The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-09
FEBRUARY 9, 1864.


with glitteriug golden stars and fringe,
which has been safely preserved by Mrs.
Arnell Zone of the most excellent and
highly cultivated and accomplished la
dies Of the South through sll the strug-
giles and contests Of the last three years.
POwhattsn Gordon, in his remarks, ac-
knOFledged that he vas, in the ineipi-
ency Of the rebellion, opposed to seces-
sion, but when it became necessary to
think with the dominant party, or quit
the country, be went with the crowd.
he intended now to accept of Mr.. Lin
coln's offsr Of amnesty.
Mr.. Hughes said:
Tennessee was once 3 free, and pros
porous country, her people having the
fullest protection to life, liberty and
property. Three years Of civil war was
nearly passed, and il was the duty of
all to ask what we had gained during
that time. Oar prosperity had been de-
strOyed; our fair fields laid waste; our
brothers and sons, in countless numbers
had gone to premature graves. DiconsO-
late mothers, bFoken-hesrted wives and
helpless orphans, now filed this once
happy land. Civil government has been
suspended, and ansrchy prevails. Is
this the time TO reorganize, elect our
officers and restore law and order under
the constitution of the State Of Tennes-
see and the United States? He was for
it, and accepted the prOclamations Of
President Lincoln and the Hon. Andrew
johnson. He said he had been told that
some persons were willing to accept
President Lincoln's Proclamation of Am
nesty, but they could not stand Gov.
JOhnsOn's oath-that there was q con-
fict between the two. He insisted that
the Presidents Proclamation of Amnesty
applied alone to those who had forfeited
ell their rights under the Government Of
the United States, and applied to that
class alone. The GOVsFRor's oath was
applicable to al, and was intended as .
test of loyalty. Some test had TO be
adopted, and the Governors oath when
analysed, was nothing more than an oath
of Allegiance to the constitution Of the
State of Tennessee, and the United
States. Some Of our citizens are sensi-
tive on the negro question. He had not
helped TO kill the negro, and be did not
intend to help to bury him. The dead
might bury their dead.
Col. Miner sid
1 congratulate you, Tennesseans, that
you are here to-day in the enjoyment of
health and comparative comfort; that
you are here under the protection of that
flag under which you have hitherto en-
joyed so much of peace, happiness, and
prosperity, before the dark hour in which
you were led away by designing. ambi-
tious men. I congratulate you that you
are here to-day to re-ssssFt your fidelity
to that Government which has afforded
you almost uninterrupted prosperity for
the last eighty years, such prosperity as
has no equal upon the face of the civil
zed world. Wherein has the South
been wronged? Has not the prepOnder-
auce of representation in the Congress Of
the United States, until recently, been
from the South? Have not the enact
ments upon the statute book been placed
there by Southern representation? Then
why complain? for it is a we'll settled ell
ementsry principle Of all law that no
man can take advantage Of bis own
wrong. But the South wanted their
rights in the teTritOriesp 10 fact,
Tennesseans, the whole object was the
negro-tO foster and perpetuate the in
of Slavery. And where is it !
now? Are not the Territories 3 portion |
Of the national domain, and do they not |
belong as much to the North ss the
South, The East and the West and are
they not to be regulated by representa-
ton in Congress and all Territories !
when entitled to become States
md enter a confederation of States are
admitted with their existing laws. so far |
Is they do not conflict with the COnsti- |
tuition Of the Union Of States, which is
paramount and above al local laws. Bat 1
these designing ambitious men, finding |
their power upon the Wsne determined /
10 carry the South out Of the Union. |
Look back TO the Charleston Convention,
where many candidates were presented |
Tor the Presidency, but none Of them
suited. Mr.. Ysncy rose in his seat and /
that the Convention did not |
desire TO nominate any person, develop /
ng the fact that rebellion Was . fore 1
rome conclusion. And where have the /
eadeFs been since the war was inaugu-
ated? Have they been in the front
ark? No, gentlemen; they have been
.areful to secure places Of safety, while
hey have thrust you to the front, where
be battle was fsrcest.
I need not recount TO you the sadness,
be weeping, the wsiiiDg and mourning
hat has perVsded the South for the last
hree years Your once rich and boaud-
ul country is now laid waste and desc
ate. Undoubtedly most Of you have felt
!. Bat, Tennessesns, the opportunity is
ow afforded you to return. The Presi-
ent Of the United States, in his Proola-
ion Of Amnesty, pardons al, except
bose above the rank Of Colonel, who lay
own their arms and go TO their homes,
sking the oath cOntaiDed in the order Of
Isjor General Grant Copies Of this or
er may be obtained Of the Provost Mar
bal, for I will have enough printed 20 |
zach to the Gulf Of Mexico, If necsssa-
?, that the truth may be known. It Is
ever wrong bat always right TO desert =
1use when convinced you are in error,
I'D deserters from the Confederate
,my upon taking the oath have Just
Isntioned are furnished rations and free
asses 10 their homes, snd are exempt
ON entering our ranks, though fad
any who prefer TO do 90. Accept the
reclamation Of your Military Governor,
le Hon. Andrew johnson; take upon
ourselves the ferns Of civil government
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