Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1865-07-14
Frorl tl,ellashtlIl6 tI.bdIoll. 1nnn "a.
Montgomery County.


be held on the Gath inst, at Columbia, Geo W.
Hampton, Esq, was called to the Chair and Berry
Lyle and !. w. Williamson, were appointed Secre-
taries Mr.. William Wines having explained the
object Of the meeting, on motion, committee, con-
sisting of Mr.. VIM Wines, G. @. Breed @. G. Smith,
0. NJ. Blackman, r. A. Fisher, W. Z. Newell, and
Josiah Hoskins, was appointed 10 draft resolutions
The following preamble and resolutions were offered
by the committee, and after considerable discussion
were almost unanimously adopted by the meeting: |
WHEREAS The first article and the first section
OF the Declarations Of Rights in the Constitution
of the State of Tennessee, declares. tThat all
power is inherent in the people, and all free Gov
ernments are founded on their authority and in
stituted for their peace, safety and happiness;
for the advancement of these ends they have ct
all times inalienable md indefeasible right to
alter, reform or abolish the Government in such
manner as they may think proper; and
Whereas, The great majority of the people of
the county Of Montgomery through mscon-
ception OF their rights, and an eronious idea
of their rights being endangered, waving the
question of secession, but claiming their right
to revouohise according TO the first article Of the
Constitution Of theate aforesaid believing il to he
their duty to vote themselves as formally absOlved
from all allegiance to the Government Of the
United States since from belief that the two Sec
tons Of our country could not longer exist together
peaceably under the same Government, and great
number believing that an individual effort (no
matter what that effort might involve) was better
than state of internecine war, being assured by
the political leaders whom they had learned 10 trust
that by so doing, not q drop Of blood would sbe
split and that such course was their most effectua
manner of bringing about what they really de-
sired---a more permanent Union, upon equitable and
,1C,s
honest motives; and .l~ Ssft
Whereas, The sword being at length appealed 10
as the arbiter-has decided against not only the
right of secession, but many dogmas of lesser
weight, known under the name and head Of State
Rights and mas left all who aided and abetted in
the rebellion subjects of this dsfranchisement;
and % H E.t
| Whereas, The late Legislature of Tennessee
called together in different manner, and setting
under different precedonts and auspices from any
previous Legislature, haye passed Franchise bill
or more properly bill of disfanchsemeat, that If
carried into effect will leave but few voters in
Middle or West Tennessee; and, WI uq-
! Whereas The President of the United States,
/ Andrew Johnson, ever watchful of tho best inter
est of the Government and the purity of the ballot
box, has seen proper to pardon persons, who have
been in rebellion against the Government at much
less political cost than the Legislature Of this State
have seon proper in Their wisdom to do; and
/ Whereas, Those who have been Engaged in the
rebellion, can leave this, their native State and
under the Presidents amnesty proclamation, may
acqiirea citizenship almost Immediately in any
Northern State; and exercise their franchise there
while they ere prohibited for FIVE or fifteen years
from voting in the State of their BIRTH and,
Whereas The said Constitution Of the State of
Tennessee, in the 9Th Section Of the LIST Article
insures the freedom and equality Of elections;
and, q gfra1BN ssa.#E r..-
4 Wharooe VVo hal;eva now thai Tho nnnst;ona of
right and policy not only settled by the afore-
said arbter the sword--forever---bu that, with
but very few exceptions the entire people are anx-
ious to dwell together as a peaceRble Gnd united
people: Therefore, u 4.t as aeN
/ RESOLVED, That in our opinion, every man who
| is citizen of the United States and who is n
qualified elector of this State, according 10 Article
", Section l, of the State Constitution is fit sub
/ ject for the exercise of the elective franchise
whether he has been time known Dnionman or
has purged himself of rebellion by the benefits
of the Amnesty Proclamation. a7'3 aa,a
Reso'Ued, That this Convention is of opinion, that
every person who has the oath of amnesty, under
the proclamation. of President Lincoln, bearing
4 date the 8th of December, 1863, that of the
present Chief Executive Andrew johnson, bearing
date the 10Th of May 1865, and who has kept the
same involate ought to bc entitled to vote FOR all
officers and at all elections authorized by the State
of Tennessee. rr ~ r.t t
meats and policy Of President johnson, as stated
IN his proclamation organizing the State of Mssis-
sppi, dated 18th Of June, 1868; and we are of
opinion that the qualification of electors therein
expressed, is the proper and only restriction which
should be placed on tho voter 1ata1I
1 ResolUed That the Joint resolution introduced
into the Legislature by bur Senator from this dis
trict the Hon. b. r. peart, declaring large ma
jorty of our citizens who have returned to their
allegiance, "infamous,' meets with our decided
disapprobat;on, and that it shows disconnected
spirit that would d'sorgsnze society," create social
discord, and keep alive every bad feeling. ilI
ReSolped, That our delegates to tho Columbia
Convention be and hereby instructed TO vote
|, for no man as the nominee of said Convention who
does not endorse the foregoing resolutions.
Resolved That Che delegates who are appointed
and do not attend the Convention to be held at
Columbia, the Gath inst, for the purpose Of Sc
! lcctng candidate to represent this Congressional
District, are hereby instructed by this meeting to
support man who in their Judgment, is competent
to fill the office and who is now aud has always
been known to be true Union man. W. al.
| On motion, the Chairman appointed the follow
ing named gentlemen, as delegates G. c. Breed,
c. G. Smith, VIM Wines, Thos. McCuloch, R. A.
Fisher W. F. Newell, L. N. Bently, Josiah Hostips,
W. H. Crouch, }, II. Wall o. NJ. Blackman, G. H..
Warfeld, D. w. Nye, and all other Union men of
the county, who win be governed ny the spirit of
the resolutions adopted by this meeting.
The Secretaries were instructed to furnish the
Nashville papers with the proceedings of this meet
ing for publication.
There being no further business before the meet
ing, it Adjourned. a.'f 81
fH. GEO. W. HAMPTON, Pres't.
BERRY LYLE and j. W. WILLIAMSON Secretaries.
fs An Act aH ,'-Il