Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-23
Messrs. VIM. Heiskell VIM. X. Poston, and
others, Committee.
LETTER PROM HOY. KDNuND COOPER.

WASHINGTON. ID C.. February 10. lS6b.-GENTLE-
MEN: Your communication of the 9th February.
1866 requesting me to be present with the friends
of the Union and of the administration of His Ex-
cellency, Andrew johnson" at mass Conyen-
ton, on the Birth day OF the Father OF ms
write that cannot avail myself OF your kind IN
yitatiOn.
However, Icordially approve of the objects Of
the meeting, and | hope that, if consistent with
the condition of the people, it will adopt such
resolutions, as will furnish to the country au-
thentic and reliable evidence that peace. good or
der. and obedience to law, prevail throughout the
State.
OF course, no quantity of evidence will satisfy
the prejudiced. They will not be convinced. They
close their eyes, because they do not wish to see
aud stop their ears so that they cannot hear, let
there are many who are open to truth. and may
be convineed-and: with such. wise and prudent
action will be good.
Out of the agitations of the present political cri-
sis new parties will unquestionably arise, and the
destiny of the Republic will be cast by the events
of the late terrible war into the keeping OF new
and untried combinations; and the formation OF
political associations will be necessarily modified
by the character Of the national surroundings
Whilst many of the prominent and influential
members OF the Union party m Inc state OF Ten
nessee have been distrustfuI of the people, have
always argued and voted in favor of the broadest
Iiberality towards them; hence L agree with the
President, that we can RO'r safely conhde IN the
integrity. in the Judgment and IN the patriotism
/ believe that the national, moderate and
statesmanlike principles. avowed by the President
in his late message, must become the platform OF
that party, which shall be governed in oil of its
political actions By wise craftsmanship and prae-
teal popular sympathy.
Here, at the Capital. schemes of constitutional
amendment swarm upon us, menaelng an utter
overthrow of the principles of the organic and
fundamental law. and we believe, il not so intend
ed, to merge all the local State Governments into
one supreme power controlled by legislative
If VIC would stop this absorption of power. Of
which every intelligent patriot must feel alarmed,
we must drop these false theories of constitution
I'll amendments, bora as they are OF the throes OF
the rebellion. and restore our legislative policy TO
that simple and patriotic faith taught to by the
Fathers, which justly confines the exercise of all
power to the sure and certain test OF the Constt-
ton. and the laws passed in pursuance thereof.
We must be true, steadfast, and earnest in the
advocacy Of the right, and in n little while the
difficulties which now surround us will be over
come and the bitterness engendcred by sectional
strife will be subdued.
Trusting hopefully to the future, and with sin
eere faith that the desired end will be reached,
/ remain, gentlemen.
Your obedient servant.
EDMUND COOPER.
To Messrs VIM. Heskell, A. Z. CAN'T. and 9TH
ers.
LETTER FROM HON. CAVE JOHNSON.
CLARKsyLLE, Feb. 20, 1866.
WIN HEisKgII ESQ.,, and other members of the
Committee: GENTLEaES-I have hal the honor
of receiving your invitation to attend mass con-
vention to be held in Nashville on the I'D inst.
of the friends of the Union and of the Admins
tration of his Excellency, President johnson.
/ approve cordially Of the call of the conven-
ton for the purposes designated by you,
The celebration Of the birth day OF washington
should be holden n sacred duty, never to be omit
ted BY every true American who loves his coun-
try and the institutions established by that great
and good man and his associates.
The approaching anniversary should be met
with adeeper sense of gratitude, than any other
since the origin Of our Government. The people
of the United States, forgetful of the principles
so strongly urged by him. are just emerging from
a bloody, desolatng civil war, in which hundreds
of thousands of our best citizens have been sacri-
feed, whole sections Of our country laid waste,
and countless millions of property. destroyed.
No time could be more appropriate for a review
of our conduct as n nation; to ascertain the errors
we may have fallen into; to repaar the wrongs we
may have committed as far as practicable. by stea-
Oily pursuing and strictly and firmly adhering 10
the principles and advice Of that ilustrious pa
trot by which our citizens had prOspered, for
nearly a century beyond any known in the world 3
history. and which need only to be restored and
praeticed upon to secure to them for an indefinite
period. the prosperity and happiness they so long
enjoyed.
This section Of the State has been always known
as more uniteain support of the Confederate Gov
eminent. and rs having furnished more soldiers
in proportion TO the population than any other; Il
was not because they had any objection 20 the
government as il had been administered by the
predecessors of Mr.. Lincoln, but beeause they be-
Iieyed the rights to which they were entitled un-
der the Constitution and extended 10 them BY all
his predecessors had been dlsregarnaed o. mas Ad-
and better protected By total separation from
the sectional party which had elected him.
After bloody struggle for four years. un-
der the most skilful officers. commanding as
brave and gallant soldiers as ever entered
A battlefield, they, the South. became con-
vinced, thai they could not longer resist sue
eessfully the immense masses brought from the
North; they admitted themselves vanquished and
like brave and gallant men, returned 10 their
homes took the oath OF amnesty. engaged IN
in evil pursuits, with settled discrimination 70
support the Constitution and the Union. ana they
together with the citizens mt home, have conducted
themselves a. peaeeabiet quiet and orderly eit.
zens. as are TO be found in any other section of
And. yet. notwithstanding the many evidences
among our citizens to sustain and support the
Government in good faith ~ in former days. we
find a small number Of our own citizens identity
ing themselves with the Radicals Of the North. 20
deceive aud misiead the President and Congress.
AZ 10 the true condition Of the state, and urging
the army 10 be kept among ms. under the pre-
tense, that the Union men would not be safe, and
the freedmen mistreatcd. IL not protected BY the
army whilst they know that many Northern
m en-. Identified with the Federal army, have taken
their residences among as, pursuing their avoca-
tions peaceaby ndauietiy,. without moiestation
from any quarter. And ne FRESHMEN treated
and dependence than ever entered the heart Of
Northern or Southern fanatic, and would be
better protected and more kindly treated b. the
citizens than By them.
cannot be with yoa on the I'd. could not
with safety take such Trip at this season Of the
year.
Allow me to express the hope. that inc Conyen-
ten will make known 70 the President iron Con-
gress or is COMMITTEES you have nothing 20 hope)
the true condition Of the state. accompanied BY
such Evidence a. viii expose the false represents
lious Of Underwriters and memoralists, whose
Interests are 10 some extent Identified with the
disorder and confusion which has % Ions. pre-
vailed IN our country.
shu President In bis struggle 10. restore the
Government 70 the well-settied principles % our
fa,hers and IT, ancient purity, hiss fearful con.
test with the present Congress- and has exhibited
a courage aud hrmness. that would give additional
Iastre 10 the Hero Of the B-fnitage and gen.
that does honor 20 his read and heart
and will justify your Convention In saying = him
we'll done tiiru.kood and faithful servant"
Respectfully. year friend ard servant.