Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-24
THE CONVENTION AND MR- May
yARD-s LETTER.

ncatioh Win uhe proceedings Oh the hee'
ing.
As an evidence Of the fact that the letter
was sent with view Of disturbing the har-
mony, and, il possible, of defeating the OBJ
jects of the meeting, copy, or the original,
as the case may be, Though the letter was
the property of the committee was furnish
ed TO, and published on Thursday morning
i'm the Press and TTmcs-a paper which,
since the issuance Of the call for the Con-
vention, had never ceased to malign the
motives, and TO denounce the purposes of its
originators. This evidence of its unfriendly
intent is extraneous but conclusive; the pa
per itself affords intrinsic proof of the fact.
Tho reading Of the letters of gentlemen
who endorsed the objects of the Convention,
was not contemplated as a part Of the pro-
ceedings of the body while in session, and in
no instance was it done. But some
one of those present who were unfavcrably
disposed, moved the reading Of Mr.. May
nard's letter and the body. willing to ae-
cominodaie all present, consented TO it.
This, and the subsequent motion to make il
the sense of the Convention, which was al
most unanimously negatived, brings it before
the public as a proper object of criticism.
We have deemed it due to say this much of
its history, though we do not regard it as of
sufficient importance to justify more than
,.l..oo - n,.,.4apfr
The letter opens with a not nn-
becoming reference to the birthday
Of Washington, but the author is careful
to give as much prominence to mere inch
dents in the history Of events daring the
year 1868, as TO the great fact which makes
the day memorable. From these incidents
he Immediately proceeds to a special lauda-
ton of the President, for feature of char
acter--his devotion TO the interests of the
masses, without reference 10 conditioned
which Mr.. Maynard at no very late day was
himself one Of the lOudest denouncers, and
then branches off on charge against others,
Of a hypocritical adulation of the President,
apparently forgetting that his own previous
course convicts him of the same ofense.
He next refers to the Presidents restora-
ton policy, and contends that it is misun-
6erstood, which simply means that a large
majority Of the people do not understand it
as he does. He cites from President
JoHNsoS's uttc-ances as Militery Governor
ofthis State during state Of war, very
different condition of things from that nov
existing, and attempts most feebly and in
conclusiyely to prove that his views and
policy at that time, and his response &c the
Virginia delegation few days since, to-
gether with his general policy as President
since the close Of he war, are identieally the
same. To do this he is reduced to the
necessity of playing the old strain upon that
much abused word-lcysity, The President
knows that loyalty means simply and only
rational attachment to the Government and
obedience TO the laws clearly evinced by the
conduct OF the citizen, and he has repeatedly
declared himself satisfied that the man who
manifests such attachment and obedience is
loyal, and in his plan of restoration he 30
regards him. Mr.. Maynard knows this is
the just definition OF loyalty, but the one
is large-hearted patriot now exercising the
functions of the highest Office in the gift of
the people, and the other is political char
latan seeking preferment. This is the diff
ference between the men.
Following this, the letter contains
wanton assault upon the press
of Tennessee charging it with sea
tional and rebellious sentiments, and
that under cover Of support to the President
ii is secretly stabbing the Government As
one of the parties implicated, we have
no other answer to this imputation
from him or any kindred source than that
our daily columns can furnish. 1t is n thing
more than natural however, that man who
in 1855, in Philadelphia, at dinner given
TO such patriot as BALE PEyTos, was so
ultra Southern in his utterances, that he was
Kissed by those present, and who is now
playing theultra Radical role, should suspect
others of duplieity as great. The con-
ductors Of the Press Of Tennessee, holding
views in common with us, are willing at any
time to compare their characters for honesty
of purpose with that which HORACE May
NARp has put ON record.
In conclusion, the author hopes he docs
not presume" when he knows that he is in
snltingly presumptnous in urging the pat
riotie body of men who had invited him to
participate in a Convention, whose sole object
was Union and pacifeation, to meet their fell
low citizens in the sFers of politics inthesame
spirit that they "faced the enemy ON the
field" Those who extended him their
courtesy want peace, and he knows t. lie
advises them to war and bloodshed. They
believe their fellow citizens, of all shades of
opinion, are true to the Government. He
stigmatizes four-ffths of them as traitors.
No man who is sincerely DESTROYS Of re-
storing iraternal relations and re-establish-
ing the government upon its ancient
foundations and Of snstsining the Presidents
efforts to attain these great sssis, can get any
comfort from Mr.. Maynsrd's letter. il is
indeed, nothing more than an insidioas al
tack on President JOHNSON. Under pretence
Of supporting him in the great struggle now
engaging his attention, he is weakening the
joints and rivets of his armor, with thinly
disguised iDsinuations OF Inconsistency.
Saying "art thou IN health, my brother
he is plunging poniara between his ribs.
IL is buta fair sample Of the venom which
reeks from radicalisrn, and as such we pass Il |
without further notice.