The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-17

compliance with the obligation of the
the constitution guaranteed to us asa re-
publican form of government.
With this general statement / might
conclude that feel called upon to meet
specifically the complaints of those who
affect to be aggrieved. 1t is said the
convention in January last was self-con-
stituted and irresponsible, and assumed
to amend the Constitution. That con-
vention was initiatory, the means chosen
by the national administration through
its civil agent. The people of Tennes-
see had no right to prescribe to the gem
eral government what should be its first
step towards a republican form of gov
eminent for the State. The convention
consisted of over five hundred delegates.
If it had been but five or one, or if Gov.
Johnson himself had sat down in his
office and drawn up the form of govern
ment, and by authority of the nation
had proclaimed it to thepeople, it would
have been all the same national act.
1t is said the amendment and schedule
We're submitted to only part of the peO-
pie, and was, therefore, partial and I'M
fair. 1t may well be questioned whether
national authority was under any con-
stitutional obligation to submit it to avote
at all its business being to place over us
republican form government, choos-
ing itself the means and channels of
transmitting it to us. TWAS submittedto
the vote of loyal people; and why sub
NIT it to the disloyal, who were in arms,
and, in fact, fighting to destroy the ma
ton itself? But this, too, was u national
act, in which we were strictly entitled to
take no part. Again, it is said that State
government was forced upon the people.
Certainly it was forced upon the rebel
lious majority of the State. So was the
authority of the United States forced
upon them and at the point of the bay
onet, and just so the nation had right
to force upon them a republican form of
government, for nothing but force was
recognized by them. The next cause of
complaint and that which now endan-
gers the peace Of the State is, that the
| Legislature has passed, and the Govern
or is trying to enforce, an act to limit
the elective franchise. Serious and
alarming as the question is, there arc
| Just two classes of persons who object to
it-namely, rebels and those who want
rebel votes Loyal men are never heard
to complaint of it. 1t is said this law is
unconstitutional. This is impossible,
as law is part of the Constitution itself.
The i ederal Government, by its agent,
Governor johnson, through the Con-
vention and the ratification by the peo-
pie, conferred upon the first General
Assembly that should convene, power
to limit the qualification of voters. The
qualification of voters is prescribed by
the Constitution. The Convention pro-
posed that the Legislature might amend
| the Constitution in this particular. and
the people ratified the proposition
! Thus, power of amendment was dele
gated to the Legislature, which became,
while acting upon this subject, to all
intentS and purposes, q constitutional
Convention. The power of the Con-
vention to delegate this authority
was legitimate and beyond all ques-
ton, by being chosen the instru-
ment Of the Federal Government,
whose authority was supreme finality.
1t is said the law is harsh and wanting
in magnanimity. BY law the crime Of
treason is ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and the
punishment is death and the confisca-
ton Of property. This is waived and it
is said to be cruel to refuse them the
privilege of voting for a few years
Magnanimity requires that they should
no to the ballot box and, with bloody
5ano,ta deposit their ballot, and by the
force Of n,rmbers seize the reins of gov
they have tried to destroy, ele-
vate their batfied leaders 20 power, re-
new their persecution of Union men,
and at last have victory in the State. East
Tennessee with her thousand martyrs
remember, is again to come under the
rule of such men as Harris, or Cheatham,
OF, Bates, or Pillow a mere appendage
to rebel State, a province to @ rebel
government, aud yet this will be the
early result of the repeal or the failure
of the act to limit the elective franchise.
Having said this much by way of
friend, explanation, come to the prin-
cipal object of This address, and that Is
that this important 10. aW Is already SET at
naught in many local cities ny sne re-
mlssness of those whose officiaI NY \,
is to execute it, to announce that il vii,
be enforced on the day of election as far
as the civil and military authorities can
enforce 1T; and all elections effected bv
illegal votes will be annulled, and. if
necessary, the officers elected will be ar
rested. The civil and military authori-
ties understand each other, and will act
in harmony. The commander of the
Military Division of Tennessee will aid
the civil authorities in all instances
when the powers of the latter are made |
quate to protect the ballot-box from |
voting, or remove county Of |
iicers in behalf of the State no matter
by whom elected. This STEP so likely |
to becomeinecessary, is'Tmuch to be re-
GREETED, and clerks and judges of cleo
ion yet have time to correct much thew
nave done; and the hope is expressed
hat many of them will do so and save
heir respect. 7ar6lH
1t is my sincere desire that the entire
state be represented in the next Con-
,ress. If the election in Middle and
Western Tennessee proves q failure it
will not be my fault. have issued two
,roclamati0ns and now this address,
the people against an Illegal
lection. fthey will persist in it, they
must go without representation in the
councils OF the nation. With sincere
hope that the present cloud may pass
way, and that quiet and contentment
nay yet come to our suffering people,
l remain, your obedient servant,
w. G. BRowNLow.
Knoxville July II, 1865.