Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-11-16

TO the Common People.

The great presidential contest is now over aud the
result most glorious in its character. Although
rebels and guerrillas invested many portions Of our
State yet the vote Of Tennessee and especially East
Tennessee is eminenty gratifying to the friends Of
the Union and freedom. The magnitude Of the pO-
litcal struggle through which we have just past can
scarcely be realized Upon it hung the destiny of
this vast Republic and in it, issue was involved the
hopes Of the lovers Of liberty throughout the world
The welfare Of the busting millions of the future
was at stake. Mcclellan is defeated Lincoln is
reelected, and AL the fond hopes of the rebellion
dashed to the ground The fiat has gone from the
bollot-box, that the national soil should be main
tanned in all its integrity, and the great Shareholders
insurrccton crushed out by the powers and proves
Of our army and navy. The recollection of Lincoln
decides that there will be no Southern Confederacy
that the flag of the Union shall protect and de-
fend the States and territories from the silver lakes
Of the North to the golden sands of the Gulf Of the
South. This fixes the destiny Of Tennessee in the
Union, subject to its laws andbound by its authority
The man who now entertains doubt as to the
success of the national cause or possesses one CLEAN
of hope for the rebellion would adorn the chambers
Of a mad house, rather than cnlighten the world in
the arena Of public debate
In view of the present condition Of public affairs,
what should be the policy of the people? And by
"he peopie it is not intended to convey the idea Of
a few leaders, or would he leaders assuming, as in
the past, to direct the people what the will of the
politicians is but it i meant that the period has ar
rived in our history as free Republic, when the
great mass-"the common people, ~ they are called
shall arouse from the state of va,aage in which
they have been held by the STAR, Lords, and their
instruments, the politicians and assert the political
equality of the white race. This is not war for
negro equality, we are told by the Copperhead
orators and press. 1t is war to vndcate the rights
of the plebeian population, and make the poor the
equal of the richto place all ,Hcn upon an equali-
ty, whether it be the peasant of the fields or the
slave lord Of the paror, who counts his negroes BY
the hundred.
What, then should the sovereigns Of the land do
in order to restore our state ana people the I'M
mensc blessings Of the national Unon7 Our State
Government has been subycrtcd We are without
civil authority to administer to the wants of the
citizen The great civil war that ha. swept over the
land for three years and more ho. worked many
changes, a already intimatcd in our political and
social sy.tem Indecd, they are 50 great that many
laws quite appropriate and Necessary in the past are
now obsolete by force Of circumstances, and if en-
forced would work incalculable hardships, and in
some case. even ruin. For instance the Slave Code
cannot be enforced, and IT would be improper, not
( to say supremely unjust TO attempt such thing
These eyils and inconsistencies exist in the organic
| law of the State
The Constitution contains them, and as "a wise,
statesnanlikc people We should learn 10 profit by
experience, and prepare for present protection
and future prosperity and greatness as State, by
recognizing State Government upon II basis
more consistent with the principles Of the Union.
To do this the people who have stood by the flag
Of their country should take step. Immediately 10
elect Constitutional Convention, TO reconstruct n
loyal State Government by amending their Consti-
tuition and removing the Inconsistencies il contains.
Especially should slavery be wiped from iis pages
aud forever prohibited
The people have indicated their desire to do this
by their recent endorsement Of Mr. Lincoln's ad-
ministration
Another question worthy Of consideration Is,
whether We will provide for the election Of Lieu
tenant Governor, in addition to the officers already