The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-06-14
ssnator ga.rnan aad Negr0 saGrage.

the Republican party " P
eounselled union and harmony IN It's
aston. He said al who composed the
party were agreed upon certain iundS-
mental dogmas, and these a7; /
l. That the Union must be preserved
This Is Jacksonian doctrine
? That slavery must be destroyed
This is Republican sentiment
3. And this is Andy Johnson's de-
claration: That traitors must be pun
ished
These. he said, were regarded as no
loDrer debatable. The mode and man
ner Of enforcing them, and all the COM
~plications growing out Of the war, might
be debated, but these are fundamental
No man, he declared, who does not ad-
NIT them. and viii not act upon them,
can be riqhtfuIly said to belong to the
party in power.
Mr. Sherman discussed the financial
question, and the responsibilities con-
nected with It; showed The ability Of
the country to the pay the public debt,
and the disadvantages which attach to
a public debt left unpaid like that Of
Great Britain.
In reconstFucting the States recent
" in rebellion, he said it was the duty
CT the Party to see that the negroes
we're not cheated out Of the freedom
promised them by Mr.. Lincoln, whose
promises had been ratified twice BY
Congress. Their freedom must be Sc
erred to them beyond all doubt or per
adventure, and maintained against
every danger.
Upon the question Of negro suffrage,
he admitted that unless the powers
of the rebel States, are changed or af-
fected by their rebellion, Congress can
not fix the qualification of a voter with
in a state The Constitution provides
bat for three elections: Of President, Of
Senators, and Of Representatives. The
Presidents chosen by electors appoint
cd in such manner as the Legislature
Of the State may elect Senators are
chosen by the Legislatures of the re.
gpective States, and members are cho.
sen By the people If the several States,
AMI the electors OF each State shall
have the qualifications requisite for
electors ofthe most numerous branch Of
The State Legislature. + anything is
clear it is that the trainers IF the Con-
s~titution meant that each State should
prescribe who should vote. The only
Imitation uTon this power is the duty
uftbe National Government 10 main
tain IN each State a republican form of
Government
But, be asked. is not all this chang
ea in 3 State where the voters have
voluntarily renowned their allegiance
70 he General Government Can such
State renounce ali ats aIues, and yet
ipsi.. utrn IL dgnts2 II is generally
a5,au. and is certainly very clear,
that the United States may punish q
traitor by depriying him Of his life, his
property, aud his franchise. If one,
why nosali who are equally guilty? II
the entire voting population have open
ly Teyolted against their allegiance, it
is abzuid TO say that we have w to
XIII them, and yet have no power to
prevent their voting Again, can we
puniah the counterfeiter of our coin
with Acknowledgement, and yet not SO
punish a traitor2 If one, why not alp
lie continues a. follows:
it is said that the loyal people are
leitWhO can vote LISA sad fact. but
avery true one, that the number of such
people ia the Southern States would
form a very narrow foundation for n re-
publican Government North Carolina
aud tennessee may contain enough
such.
PRESIDENT johnson intends to try the
ezpetimentin those States, but / fear
he wlll find The spirit Of rebellion too
deep rooted IN those who have taken
the oath 10 make them good citi.
zsns How il IL when you come 10 South
Carolina and Mississippi Il is said. es-
ahlish IN these a military Government
Wei, fora time, that may do, butt is
expensive and contrary 10 the spirit Of
our institutions &c we can put negro
regiments there and give them bayo>
netsi why can't we give them votes ?
Both are weapons OF oflense and de-
Tense Votes are cheaper and better.
Both are part Of the military necersity
put upon us by the rebellion. Both
sre unpleasant 10 the rebels. but med
lCInes are not usually savorv.
conclude, therefore. on this subject
81 negro voting, that in all States who
can claim then full rights under the
Constitution it is a question for the
htate, and that in revolted States il is
a question OF policy and military gov
eminent 10 be decided by the nStional
authorities until the State is fully re
stored % lis former condition. In some
Of b Southern States ! would leave
them under military rule until they
provide the ouly sure security for the
future that the negroes should have
thetf share IA reconstruction, as they
have borne their share in lighting.
Negro voting may not suit our natu-
ral p~rfJud'ces Of csste. They may be
ignorant dOci,e, easily led. and not
safely trusted with political power: but
ID you somft sl this they have been
true ana faithful among the faithless
lhey have joined in putting down the
Jeoe.iloni aud how 10 pisce them st the
mercy Of those they have helped us 10
subcue-to deny them an political
rirhts-to give them freedom. but
leave them entirely subject TO las
framed 10y rebel masters-lsan actofin-
Justice against which humanity ~revolts
suppose you deny them suffrsce
what tben2 The southern states can
'' the freedom Of their slaves fourteen
new members Of Congress and as many
leci0-al votes Not three-6hhs but
hvehiths are counted. lf you give the
same men b revoited this increased
political power, what safety have Won ?
suppose ten years ago they had this ad.
aiuonal power, Kansas would have
been a Slave State this day, and they
would have had ample political power
20 tubyert your Government without a
resort 10 arms We must have security
Tor ihe iature Al the evils that / per.
ce-ve may arise from a mixed popnlas
uon, are Insignificant compared with
the only Noaiternstives the restoring
ioTeeols vast political power, and the
Danger and vast expense Of military
governments
AZ Tor The people OF the Southern
states we can now regard them as con
gueres rebels. but it is the highest wis.
aom ci oonqaerors 10 be -macnanimous
ana generous These people and their
descendants must live with US and form
Pars OF the boiy polite Our r pol-
icy D 20 hea. aud not widen the breach
made oy war Sufficient security should
oe taken for future peace. and sufficient
punishment 10 stamp the rebellion as .