Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-08-02
Congressional Canvass.

Major General Joseph A. Cooper, Colonies L. C.
Houk and r. K. Byrd and Mr.. B. Wells, candidates
foCongress in this District addressed the people on
Monday, 3lst July. Every civil district in this
county was represented, with large number of the
citizens of Union county, and some from Anderson.
At IL o'clock the Court House bell was rung, and
the large crowd repaired thither. On going to the
same it was found that the court room tlarge
enough TO accommodate the vast assemblage where
upon the people repaired TO the beautiful grove of
the Female Institute. The discussion was opened
ry Col. Houk, who made radical Union speech,
which was pointed and forcible. He advocated the
bill limiting the elective franchise" and the loyal
" constituted State government. He defended the
acts of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew johnson,
and declared against "negro suffrage" In this con-
nection we will say that all the candidates for
Congress in this District have declared against
franchising the colored man.
Col. Houk was bitter in his denunciation Of Hon
Horace Maynard, and the convention in this city
which nominated him.
Col Byrd followed, making similar speech to
that of Col Houk, save that he advocated the re-
Enumeration of loyal men for their lost slaves. In
this the Colonel was assailed by all his opponents.
With this exception Col Byrds speech was well re-
ceived, and pronounced by all "good speech"
Like Colonel Houk, he was exceedingly bitter in
denOuncing Mr.. Maynard.
Mr.. Wells, of McMinn, followed Col Byrd, max
ing radical Union speech and saying nothing per-
sonaL of any Of his opponents.
Mr.. Wells speech was interrupted by a terrific
storm, which drove the people to the Court House
where the discussion was concluded. The Court
Room crowded 10 its utmost capacity no less
than four hundred persons being present
AT the confusion of Mr.. Wells speech, General
Cooper assembled the stand and rivetted the atten-
ton of the crowd for hour and thirty minutes.
We were agreeably disappointed in the Generals
speech. He has never attempted TO speak more than
siI or ten times. he is a farmer, and until he en-
tered upon this canvass has taken part in pol
itics. We heard the second speech he made in this
canvass, and his speech Monday was a vast i'm
provement the effort referred TO. Gen. Coopers
speech was well received, and vociferously ap-
Psuded. Many of the boys in blue" who fought
under the General, were present, and gave evidence
during the discussion of their admiration of their
old commander,
In concluding his speech Gen. Cooper announced
that John B. Brownlow desired the people 10 re-
main and pass upon some resolutions he had to read
10 them.
Calls from the crowd were then made for the ed
itor Of this paper, who introduced the following
resolutions, profacing them with comments:
Rcsoired, That we heartily endorse the course of
our representatives in the General Assembly Hon
). K. Rodgers and Maj Charles Inman, and cspeci-
ally their vote 10 " limit the elective franchise"
Ind 1rhereaS, Some members of General Assem-
lily declare their purpose 10 introduce bill for the
repeal of this law the re-assemblng OF the Leg
i,lature, therefore,
ResolCed That il is the desire of the loyal people
uf Knox county that their Representatives in the
Legislature sustain the bill DISTINGUISHING rebels
passed by the Legislature one conlprche1s-
sire in restricting suffrage than that now on the
statue book.
Loud and long continued applause followed the
reading of these resolutions and when the vote was
taken upon them there but dissenting voice.
A hearty Aye! was Numbered from the vast as
semblage, and the few rebels and copperheads pres
ent had unmistakable evidence that the real people
Of the country have resolved that the political power
Of Tennessee shall not pass into the hands of traitors
who brought upon the country rebellion more in
famous and less ustifabe than any which has cursed
humanity since Lucifer led his cohorts of apostate
angels against the throne of God"