Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-27


The speech of Mr.. Thad. Stevens in the
House of Representatives on last Monday,
| is a speech of much importance-not on ac-
count of its ability, but because it sounds the
keynote of the Radicals, and exhibits, in all
its deformity, their policy and their control
ling motives. He says: eff they meaning
the Southern States) should grant the right
of suffrage to persons of color, think there
would be always Union white men enough
in the South, aided by blacks, to divide the
representation, and thus continue the Re
publican ascendancy." This, then, is the
motive which actuates him and his party.
He must have lNown that his argument in
reference to the re-establiskment of slavery
J by the South, was so absurd that none but
simpleton could be deceived by it. If every
| Southern State wished to establish slavery,
| they could not do so because slavery is now
abolished by the Constitution of the United
States, and it would require three-fourths of
the States to amend the Constitution so as to
permit its re-establishment. Mr.. Stevens
knows that the Southern States have no ex-
pectation of re-establishing slavery, and no
desire, under existing circumstances, of doing
so, either now or in future. 1t is true, many,
perhaps most of them, believed that the de-
struction Of the institution of the domestic
slavery of the African race as it existed in
the South, would operate injuriously to the
Negro race, and would destroy, to great
extent, the industry Of the South, and,
thereby, inAict great calamities on mankind
by decreasing, in great measure, the great
staples of cotton and sugar, which may be
considered necessaries of life.
1t is for time to show whether they were not
right in their views. The laboring men of
the North may yet regret that slavery was
ever abolished. But the people of the South
regard it as an accomplished fact and now
have no disposition to change it. They feel
that the responsibility is not on them and
they will suffer pecuniarily. | am satisfied,
less in the end from its abolition than will
the people Of the Northern states. The case
of Garland of Arkansas and Mari of
Georgia, who have applied to be admitted
to practice in the Supreme Court without
taking the test oath will be argued to-day by
Reverdy johnson. / think it will be decid-
ed in favor of the constitutionality of the oath
/ am afraid the Supreme Court is as radical
as Congress. The desire with many of the rad
icals is to humiliate the Southern people
into the very dust. | am inclined to think they
will however overshOot the mark and
will bring upon themselves the odium
of the people in all sections. The memorable
logic of events the destruction of the great
staples of the South, which they are bring
ing about, will do more to overwhelm them
than all the constitutional arguments which
can be made. Tallow at dollar and sugar
at fifty cents pound, will do what Reverdy
johnson, with all his ingenuity and ability,
cannot accomplish. l find the officers and
soldiers of the Union army more favorable
to the people of the South than the men who
have shown their courage and patriotism by
staying at home and making money.
| Since the above was written the President
has sent in message to Congress, Tin regard
to the state Of feeling in the South, accom-
panied by report from Lieut. Gens Grant,
which has thrown abomb-shell into the radi-
cal ranks. Indications are now somewhat
more hopeful than they were a few days ago.
The issue will, and soon must be made, be-
| tween the President and the true Union men
of the country ON the one side and the Radi-
Gals, who prefer to see the Union DESTROYED
rather than not carry out their schemes on
the other, and in such an event who can
doubt the result. The Radicals will use
every means to keep the Southern States
from being recognized as members of the
Union, until they feel that they can control
everything their own way.
A fierce contest will take place in Congress
in reference to negro suffrage in this Dis
trict. The citizens here, nearly all of whom
are opposed to it, think it will be defeated in
| Congress- but ] think they are mistaken.
There are some men here belonging to the
Republican party, who are willing to change
the Test Oath so as to make it prospective
and not retrospective as it now is. To this
there would be no serious objection on the
part of the South. No man ought to hold
Office under agovernment unless he is an earn
est and sincere friend of that government
and if the oath should merely require that
| he would sustain the government in future a.
gainst any and all combinations which might
be formed in opposition to it, there would be
but little if any complaint on the subject
Some modification will be made in the oath
| after awhile, at least such seems to bethe i'm
| preston here. Unless this oath is so modi-
fed as to make it prospective, there can be
no real union of feeling between the two
| sections. This oath pats under the ban for
one generation at least, all men of character
and standing in the South No man in the
States south of Tennessee can take this oath
conscientiously who occupies any position
of influence in that country, nor do l believe
they viii ever elect men who can and will
take it. They would rather be without re-
presentation than to send such smen. This
arises not from any hostility to the United
States Government, but from a sense ofproper
respect and duty to themselves.
They are willing to take any oath which
will require them TO acknowledge the sn-
premacy of the Federal Government and to
be loyal to that Government in opposition
TO any State ordinance; because they think
this is principle that has been definitely
settled by the war. Such men will be as
true to the United States Government in the
future as men who are willing to take any
kind of an ath to get office.
1t is useless 10 deny that large ma
jority of the Southern people were ear
Mostly and devotedly attached to what
they considered the cause of Justice
and right no matter what may have
been the opinions of Others. They at
tested their sincerity by the loss of their
property, by their suferings, and in many
instances by the heroic sacrifice of their