Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-07-12
The State Government.

Certain iaut-hnders and copperheads, who have
made war upon the Government Of the State under
Governor johnson, are suddenly for his administers
ton of affairs ut Washington because he is opposed
10 lie present STATE Government Some claim Il
represent his views, rs they are but recently from
Washington This Is all stun, and all such pretend
ers basoy misrepresent the President The Con.
yenton that amended the Constitution was compos.
cd of $50 delegates, and al bat hOo counties in III,
State were represented II was IN intelligent body
of substantial men, No man in that Convention
took deeper Interest in what was doing than did
Governor johnson, and no man in il was better
pleased with It's action. II continued It's session all
the week. Governor johnson spoke to the Conyen,
tion by request, the middle of the week, and again
the last night of the session His speeches were re-
ported in full, and correctly, by the Nashville pa.
pers. In his speech the night Of the 18th of Janu
AIRY, the third day Of the Convention, he said-and
let those candidates running for Congress seeking
to place President johnson in false postion-read
this extract in their speeches
What wrong is there in primary meeting of the
people proposing amendments to the Constitution
Take any individual and lock him up in one of these
rooms, and then let him draw up two or three
amendments TO the Constitution. If the people
should sec fit to accept and ratify the amendments
IL would be consopant to the genius of the govern
ment TO incorporate them with the Constitution. =
The point is, do the people ratify the amendments
Now II we call convention, which will cause de-
lay will be expensive and vexatious will that body
refuse TO submit its work II the people? If any
man favors this, he is seeking TO Do something ,ic
lative of the interest of the people.
Here is an intelligent body, highly respectable in
talent and numbers can IL not draft amendments
and submit them to the people? You, as part of
the people, may mature your plans and submit them
to the people,
There are various modes, but am for the short
est and simplest plan which is the best. A Conven-
ton is also Objectionable on the score of economy,
which is almost an obsoletete term. If there ever was
people who wanted it put in practice, We are that
people. To use an expression of the furnaces, we
are working our furnace on its running stock If
there be two ways of doing the same thing and
you can save hundred thousand dollars or SO by
taking the shortest, take it
Are you not the people, or portion of them Is
this not primary meeting of the people? Talk Of
violating constitutional rules Why how much law
and constitution have you got now2 In the absence
of both, if you act rreguarly, who dare say aught
against it? Where is your law now Lincoln may
be charged with irregularity, but if he saves the
Government by it who can find fault You can
place your hands on your bosoms and satisfy your
conscience and all the people will say Amen
may refer 10 the case of the Roman Consul used by
Mirabeau before the French Assembly, to illustrate
In preserving the State from dangerous conspira-
cy, the Consul had to overstep the law, Afterwards
when he appeared before the tribunes, of them,
an enemy OF his, wishing 10 embarass him, said
win you swear that you have observed the law ~
The Consul replied II swear that have saved the
Republic"
He swore not that he had observed the law, but
that he had saved the Republic. May not you OK
claim, after having discharged your duty when you
20 home, "We have saved the State p