The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-06-04
The NeetIng al Athens, AIa.

A1S
A brief notice of a public meeting
held at Athens, Ala on the LIST inst.
appeared in the UsIOS yesterday. We
have since seen and conversed with 8
highly respectable gentleman who was
present on the occasion. He assures
us that the meeting,-which wss called
Under the letter of Major Gen. Thorn
as suggesting the reorganization Of civil
officers IN North Alabama-was very
large, and composed of the best citi-
zens Of Limestone county. The Chair
man Mr.. J. W. S. Donnell, is a son of
the Rev Robert Donnell, whose memo
II Is still revered in hat section of the
country, whilst the Secretary, Mr.. J
". Sloss, is also a gentleman of high
character and good lineage. The reso5
buttons adopted. were reported by =
committee Of which Hon. George S.
Houston, formerly a member of Con-
gress from that district, was chairman.
They recommended prompt action by
the people of Alabama, TO give vitality
10 the constitution and laws of the
State, and TO restore it to its former re-
lations with the General Government,
and express the opinion that this could
be accomplished by making use Of the
present State officials and organize
ton. But, to avoid controversy, snoth-
er plan is suggested-to wit
That the qualified voters of the
county hold an election on the first
Monday in August next, the regular
and legal election day, fixed by law
anterior to the ordinance of secession,
and vote for men for Governor, mem
Der Of Congress, members of the Leg
islature, Sheriff, Clerk of Circuit Court,
and other county officers.
This IS a good plan, but it must be
carried out under the auspices of a
Provisional Governor appointed by the
President The meeting, however,
seemed TO ~deprecate such an appoint
ment on the ground that it would
greatly delay, if not render unattain-
able, the great benefits of the foregO-
ing plan" There is, in our opinion,
10 reason for any great delay. If the
people but act promptly in recommend
ing d suitable person for Provisional
Governor to the President-lr Holg-
ION, foT iussancs-the elections might be
held in August and the State promptly
restored to its former relations with the
Government of the United States. 1t
is not probable that President John
son will depart from the policy he has
mstured to favor Alabama, or any 9TH
or State.
The meeting regard the assembling
Of "a State Convention to change the
organic law as dangerous at all times.
This is correct but the organic law
Cannot be changed except by a Conven-
ton, and this must be done to adopt it
20 the altered status Of the negro. The
change has 10 be made, and there
should be no hesitation about acting
promptly, and getting rid of the ques-
ton The assembling of the Conven-
ton need not be done contrary to es-
tablished forms.
The nesting very properly recomr
meuded a State Nominating Conven-
ton to be held at Montgomery, on the
9TH OF July next to nominate a candi-
date for Governor. 1t would be polite
20 select AS a candidate the Provisi on.
al Governor who may be appointed by
The President.
The speakers at this meeting were
Hon George 5. Houston, DR.. j. P. Co
man and Luke Pryor, gentlemen of
great worth aud respectsbility, and
supporters of the Union. They partic-
ipated in lSjl IN the last Union meet.
ing held in Athens, r town made re-
markable by the fact that it kept the
stars and stripes flying to a later period
in the rebellion than any other town
IN the State
We feel deep interest in the reorgan-
i4atlon movement in Alabama, and
trust Naat our Union friends the re will
take no step that does not accord with
4
she policy OF the administration.