The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-05-24

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II also provides . plan by which even |
the exempted may b. hereafter restor- /
en-, if sound policy should require 1t TO
be done.
The minority bill, submitted by Mr. !
Arnell, proposes TO submit 70 the priv
lages of the elective franchise ell
known and true friends Of the Govern
mept, and in no case to exclude such
persons; but unhesitetingly proposes the
exclusion Of all rebels opposed 70 It's
authority, and who have failed TO give
evidence of friendship thereto, by some
specific act Such course being be-
lieved 10 be in harmony with the Am
nesty Proclamation and the proolama-
tons of Gov. Johnon, and absolutely
necessary to the safety both OF the
State and the United States.
Mr. Steele took the floor and spoke At
considerable length in favor Of the ma
iority bill He commended that, apart
from its constitutional bearings, State
seton would be utterly ipjudIcIous aud
unwise now, when, as 1t Was very well
known. the Federal Government
should be the arti er on questions
! bearing on its rebeiious subjects. The
amended Constitution gave US no pow
er 70 disannul the provisions Of the o d
/ Co at tuition, but certainly such was the
drift OF the majority bill The Amnesty
Proclamation means something, and
when taken in good faith, it complete
! " restores offsndera II is beyond our
! power 10 take action in the matter, be-
/ cause the General Government has
stepped in TO claim its prerogatiye in
the premises We may think the acts
of the Federal Executive too mild and
/ lenient, but that does not change their
| character. and il should be our aim
| and Bmbition 10 harmonic our action
accordingly, and net resort 70 foolish
and yindictive legislation 1t Is very
well known that large number were
! plunged into this rebellion against their
wishes With these men and others
who were drawn into the vortex by
passionate appeals, we must live tOgeth-
er again L was best for US, it best FOR
them, it is best for the rising genera
ton TO treat such men with magnanl-
nifty and kiuduess. Such policy will
best promote the work Of rec5nsGruc
ton, and aid in developing the re-
sources of our glorious State. The re
bellion is ended, its soldiers without
arms, its leaders fIgitiYes from justice,
Then let as try to act with forbesrance
and leniency to the returning wander
ers, who, IN view Of such kind treat
ment, will become peaceable aud loysi
citizens
The minority bill proposes 10 dis
franchise more than one half OF our
population. VIII such q course be Pre-,
ductiVe of bringing about an era OF
good feeling and prosperity to our
State? He certainly thought not
Leove the n sitter to the United States,
and with its policy let US harmonic,
and ere long prosperity aud happiness
will return TO all our borders.
Mr. Henderson next obtained tho
floor, and made an elaborate speech lu
favor Of g mild, ooRciliatOTy policy 10
the masses of the rebels. He said the
question was one Of the greatest i'm
portance. Our action will serve as a
! precedent for other States then 1t be
hooves US TO diVest ourselves OfPassion
and prejudice, and act with sole ref
erence 70 the great interests at stake
The rebellion is crushed and broken.
Diplomacy now the order OF the day,
and must complete the work OF resto-
ration Let Us heed well the voice OF
our late lamented President, as en-
bodied in his Amnesty Proclamation.
It invites, entreats rebels to return 10
their allegiance The present Federal
executive would extend clemency to the
masses, while Justly Furnishing leading
intelligent traitors Let as try and fol-
low il the same line of policy. How
could we favor the reducing OF seventy
thousand of cur citizens TO the condition
! Of serts2 Such 81 course would be mis-
chievous and deplorable IN the ex-
IRENE. We must choose between two
policies TnaguanimOUs and liberal
one, or adopt a vindictiVe, externinG-
tory course of action that will make
confusion worse cOntounded.
He thought that Horace Greeley,
Wendell Phillips and William Lloyd
Garrison, extremists as they were gen
orally, we're mid and benevolent CONF
pared with some of our Tennessee rad,
lCalS, ana, on the question C0QcI us
cusslon, held them up for imitation, as
it was well known they advocated
the broaiest humanitarianism and
leniency. Armed gueIrIlIas ought TO be
exteTminGted. Isham g. Harris and
his co conspir tors should be tried for
/ treason, and If found guilty be hung -
But the mssses-the poor soldiers
ought to be restored to ell the rights
Of citizenship. Peace is what IS waut>
ed; it Is now within our grasp; then let
Us not allow passion and prejudice to
rule the hour, and retard the work OF
conciliatisn and social harmony.
Mr. Waters. Of d 4dison, asked leave
to make a remark-which he did some
what excitedly-that if rebels aud
traitors should be allowed to vote, he
would surely introduce a bill before
the Legislature adjourned, to extend
the same privileges to negroes.
On molten, the House adjourned till
tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock