The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-03-08
The Future-The Right or Suffrage
What the State Demands.

|Was the second important step on the
part of the people in the work of re
organizing the civil government Of the
State. The work, in great measure,
now passes from the people directly to
their representatives, who, when they
assemble here, next month, will take
it Up, and continue it until it is per
fected so far az lies within their power
and the sphere Of their duty.
One Of the most interesting questions
which will demand the early attention
Of the Legislature is the question Of
suffrage. Who are, in future, to con-
stititute the voting population of the
Slater Are the rights, interests and
destinies Of those who have sustained
the Federal Government from the in
ception Of the rebellion; or who, hav-
ing yielded to the rebellion, from one
motive or another, have honestly re
pented Of their error, and become &C
tive and ardent in their devotion TO
the Union and in their opposition to
the enemies Of the Government-to be
ieopsrded by permitting unrepentants
subiugated rebels TO exercise the cleo
tive franchise
Every one who knows anything Of
the past history of Tennessee, is well
aware that the dominant class in the
State was the shareholders No man
could hold any Office, from that Of con-
stable TO United States Senator, who
was not approved BY them. Slavery was
the one sacred interest to which all
Others we're subservient; and slave
holders the master race in more re-
spects than one 1t was to build up
government with slavery for its corner
stone" that the rebellion was Matched,
and for which oceans <of blood and
treasure have been expended. The
peace and happiness of al classes were
put at hazard to pander to the aggran>
dizement of the slaveholders Every
thing was staked upon 8 single issue,
and they have lost Slavery, their pet
institution, ths foundation of their
power, the source of their naughty and
dictatorial spirit, is destroyed They
see and know that this is 50; but it
would be unlike them to accept the
fact, and resume with becoming mod
esty and mAgnanimity, their allegiance
and duties as fcitizens. The old spirit
which animated them has not been de-
stroyed with their divine institution. 1t
burns in their hearts with glow inten-
sifed by disappointment and malice.
They cannot, and will not, forgive their
friends and neighbors who have aided
in their acknowledgements at least
during the present generation
They will cherish resentment, and
take advantage of every occasion to
make the objects Of their hate feel it
They will form cliques and parties
inspired by the desire TO punish the
loyal anti-slavery people; and with the
cooperation Of rose-water loyalists, viii
endeavor 10 restore their lost prestige
and power in directing the affairs OF
the State. Their reactionary move
ments will, of course, find earnest an
tagonism in the anti-slayery element
whose interest and tastes will compe
it to be progressive, aud keep it in un
firing warfare against old political ano
social dynasties. These loyal and dis
loyal elements will continue arrayec
against each other long after perio'
is put to the war The fact is, the.
can no more cooperate than fire ant
water The disloyal element comprises
together with the quasi or proslaver.
loyal element, a majority of the peopl
of Tennessee If, therefore, the dis
loyal are allowed to enjoy the right o
suffrage, they and their allies will sue
coed in grasping the power and shsT
ing the future policy of the State, unit
the loyal anti-slavery element is in
creased in strength, and made tn
dominant element by accessions from
Northern and foreign immigration. III
til this point is attained, loyal mel
who have assisted in the destructio
of slavery, will be prescribed and ostr
cised
With this prospect before them, wi
the representatives of the people, whe
they assemble in this city to place Il
Commonwealth on its feet again, an
TO restore to their constituents some
the blessings of government of whiC
they have been deprived by the reb,
lion, agree that the enemies of our Ii
erty shall enjoy equal privileges at Il
polls with the supporters of the \
tional Government The policy wou
be suicidal. Treason, unrepenta
treason--treason unpardoned, unaton,
for-is it not crime that jiustifes d
Acknowledgement of the party guilty
it, Of some Of his political rights2 II
citizen is convicted of certain feloni,
less heinous than treason, he is punis
ed by Imprisonment disqualified fro
holding Office, and deprived Of the rig
Of suffrage Shall the citizen who has
tempted TO murder his countrywide
aided in visiting upon the people W
and bloodshed, and all the horrors th
follow in the train of hostile armies
be dealt with more leniently2 He
the greater criminal-shall his be I
lesser punishment? Is il any hal
ship, any wrong, for him to be deni
the right of suffrage, and put upon p
baton for term Of years sufficient
long TO cure him of his vicious inclir
tons, and to protect the State and 10,
people against his power 10 do furtl
mischief
This question is of the gravest Oh,
acter. In its solution are involved c,
sequences of vital Importance to {
future security and happiness of t
people. The Legislature could I
avoid it, if it would. We trust that 1
members, when they get togefher -