Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-10-20

"Brownlow would make pretty mess o. Ten
nessee He would disfranchise all the small rebels,
hang all the leaders and Danish the negroes. This
would leave about four thousand men to do all the
voting and hold all the offices. Brownlow would
be sure of reelection for the next ten years" So,
On the FIRST reading of the above extract from
the New York Tribune, of 9TH inst, we were dis
posed TO ascrbe its assertions to the ervescenee Of
the editors fancy; but since the action of the Leg
slature last week, on Camerons resolutions, the
extract has point and significance not TO be mis-
taken. Horace Greedy knows the character of his
allies, and has Defined in a few words their nten-
tons as to the future of this State. We had conf
IDENTIFY believed that, in the work Of pacifcation
and restoration progressing under the guidance
of q wise administration of the National Govern
ment, there was not in Tennessee, of sound
head and heart, who would not cheerfully and ac-
lively exert himself to forward the good work.
But this belief founded, in part, upon too flatter-
ing estimate of the innate goodness Of the human
heart, and partly upon the feelings and actions of
the honest and intelligent men with whom it is
our good fortune to associate, has been unhinged
by the fact that there exists in Tennessee faction
eager to crush the rights and liberties of the great
majority, and to hold the Union discovered until
malignant hate is satated, or paltry ambition
gratifed- ....-..... 80 F.
Elevated to Office as our present civil rulers have
been, by circumstances adverse to expression of
the popular will, the very nature of the tenure by
which they hold and exercise power, and their own
k-,o>~Is1ss ~ ,i.e Ieal, Inury winch they repre-
sent ought to teach moderation, if not wisdom
True magnanimity scorns the idea of vengeance,
and enlightened patriotism looks to the greatest
good Of the greatest understanding that con-
temPtibe ambition which erccts self as barrier to
the onward march of peace and unity and prosper
ity. These should be the motives and ends of en-
lightened legislaiors yet those of Tennessee when
invited TO endorse this policy, as avowed and acted
upon by President Johnton, not only refuse to do
SO, but indicate by subsequent action, their inten-
ton to pursue the victims of their vindictive hate
regardless Of justice, and in order TO maintain their
hold upon power in defiance of the popular will
and contrary TO all the forms and principles OF
OF free government. The same power which
placed the rens of government in the hands of the
present civil rulers of this State is now directing
~
basis of the equal rights of the States and the en-
franchisement of those who took up arms against
the South. This is the policy of the Presidents
policy lauded by all, save fanatics and yet the
Legislature of Tennessee not only refuses to en-.
dorse it, but, like Shylock, demands the pound OF
flesh nearest the heart of liberty and Union
1t does seem as if the government, at Nashville
is resolved, in the words of our text, 10 disfan
chise all the small rebels, hang all the leaders
that it and its friends may do all the voting and
hold all the Offices If this is not true, they will
repeal the Acknowledgement act and reconsider the
vote condeming the Presidents policy. If they dc
neither, we shall be constrained to believe that
Horace Greely is right in his estimate of their mo-
tves and his declaration of the ends at which they
aim. We wish he may be mistaken, and that the
Legislature may establish a character for wisdom
and justice that will secure for it the approval OF
all good men throughout the State