The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-02-16

= E. s. WILLIAMS,
! TH-s. S. WATERs,
:. ". J. CLEAvELANp,
E. ". TCRNrR,
? J. P. WLKERsoN,
! and others.
CaRrHAGE, Tenn, Feb. Sth, 1866.
= Capt. T. g Williams. Col Thomas Wsters, Co
s Cleay eiand, Il. W. Turner, }. r. Wiikersoa an
others.
GKNTLENES-I did not, until after having
: retired from my labors of this night, reeeiv,
your very courteous request to address tn
meeting at this place tomorrow, to be hel,
! for the purpose of selecting delegates to tn,
Union Convention to be convened in thi
: city Of Nashville the 22d inst, etc.
tender to you my most grateful te
, knoEledgments for the high confidence
you manifestly repose in me. And In,
highly respectable source from whence the
solicitation emanates, joined with the warm
ahd devoted friendship l always entertained
towards you, increases with intens ty the
relutance I have in declining to comply.
Existing pre-engagements might forbid it.
But it is well known to many that for sew
eral months l have almost exclusively de-
voted the energies Of my mind to various
kinds Of business; and especially, that of a
professional character. This has left me
little time for investigation or reflection
touching the great political issues Of the
day. At this period feel more the necessity
of instruction than the capability of en-
tightening others. This plea Of destitution
of knowledge is not culpable, because it is
not willful.
Nothing has been more foreign to my ex-
| pectations, til this hour, that / would be
invited TO deliver an address on this occa-
sion. have no ready means OF intelii-
gence, SO much desired, within my imme-
diate reach. I sincerely trust that these
facts, with gentlemen Of sound judgment
and goodness of heart, will consti ute a
sufficient apology for my conclusion.
Not being apprised of any special propO-
sition or subject for consideration, except
the general idea suggested in your letter, Of
the object of the meeting, it will not be re
quired Of me to intimate any original plan
or policy, or discuss any special measure in
detail, in this undi gested and brief response.
At any convenient time, however,
would cheerlully, fully and frank
ly give nay views upon any par
icular measure or line Of policy that
has arisen or may hereafter arise. At this
moment, have but dim outline in my
mind Of what present action is essential.
Not supposing they would be demanded, I
have not reduced my crude thoughts to a
practical theory.
There is no such thing as negative pat
riotism; il must be positive IA its nature or
it Is worthless. Each individual can and
ought to contribute something prO-boao pub
leo. The great political issues of our late
contest were tried in almost every form
known 10 the civilian. At last they cul-
minated into huge internecine war-the
final arbiter Of the nations of the world.
The revolution. is passed; we are again up
on the great political sea, under somewhat
different circumstances from those that ex-
listed when the dark, terrible clouds of war
burst upon our then full rugged vessel in
all the horrors Of frsternal blCod-shed and
slaughter. now purpOsely pretermit the
expression Of any opinion a. TO the errors
and evils that may have been committed
on the one side or the other, in the incipi-
eney or progress Of that awful struggle. He
who permits his mind mainly 10 dwell on
the past, will become lost amid the vortex
Of embattling nations, and tottering king
doms, without benefit to himself, the pres
ent or future generations.
Philosophieally we should Gull that alone
from the history and memories Of the past,
which may aid US in forming true guide
for future action, in separating truth from
error, and rightly developing the grand
moral, religious and political questions, the
consequence Of revolutions. Let the dark
some pail of oblivion fall over ell else in
the past. Deal with the living present.
Adopt the best means that may be presented
from any source or section TO meet the exigen
cies Of the times, and remedy existing evils.
Though our ship of State has received a
very heavy shock in stemming the tempes-
tuous sea Of intestine strife, she yet lives.
Ard, in my view, it has been fully and for
ever demonstrated TO the nations Of the
earth, that as q people, SIS nation, We are
one and inseparable. If our destiny is ul-
timately the same, our aims, in national
sense, should be one. And for the hsppi-
ness and prosperity Of esch individual, as
well as for the whole political body, we
should act in harmonious cooperation at
the earliest practicable period,-bury all
sectional feelings Of hostility and animosityi
soar above personal malignity and Preju-
dice, which have their foundation, in great
degree, in marrow ambition, ignorance, or
temporary phrenzy. Over these things lei
the brilliant sunlight Of superior motives
and Intelligence triumph, and mutually
/ quah The classic waters Of Lethe. To do
this, only requires a broad or expansive
/ view Of the duties of human life to ourselves,
| TO the country, and TO the God Of the Uni
verse. In so doing no one is committed to
/ the political eccentrieities Of the living age,
let them be what they may. I never could,
| n my most deliberate moments comprehend
and appreciate that doctrine which teaches
/ that We must not perform oar own duties,
because others may do wrong. We are in
lhs midst Of great political crisis
The war has terminated. But, great,
/ but bloodless, revolution Of principle is
| going on throughout the country. These
/ questions are not ephemeral. il will re-
quire tine for their proPsr development
qAisrs, a great name in history, hss in sub
stance said, civil wars are the result OF
I species Of Wild, infuriated mental derange-
ment amougst the people We sdd that in
! proportion as The world becomes more and
more elevated in the scale Of intellectual
and moral existence, IN the same proper
lon. VIII al personal snd national dim-
/ euIues bssqDs less frequent. And. when
reason aud truth in al paris of the country
fully resume their impesisl swEy, political
ax,rcmi,ies WI pass awsy. conservation
will prevail, sni all the members 81 ihe
Goverpmsnt viii act together on terms Of
frateruai friendship, union and equality.
Does the proposition stand the test Of reason
that in proportion as We show evidences OF
,r-srs.ne ssuorrs ioyalty to this Govern
msut. in the sams rs's i VIII extend TO us
tsstimonisls Of approsehing renewed coma
/ deace4 TIL gradually BY these mutual and
i reciprocal means, 81 obnoxious. fauaucal
and ohieosional restrictions and iAhihiiiops
vii be removed, and We again be united in
heart. soul. mind snd strength. He who
/ has rad the history Of The world, has done
% 20 no profitable ParPose, IL he does not
! s.,.,.. th.t this MI Be the Ana result,