Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-07
THE PRESENT ISSUE IN TENNESSEE

There is sometf' remarkable in the
issue presented by the Governor in his
proclamation, ordering elections in certain
counties. The singularity of the matter
lies in the fact that the question is restricted
10 certain counties, when the people Of all
are equally interested. The Governor tells
ms that those members who have Withdrawn
are generally candidates for reelection, and
should they be reelected, the scenes of the
past few weeks will likely be re-enacted /;
and 80 we shall be no nearer q solution than
when we commenced. This is as much as
10 say that the people affected by his procla-
nation must elect men who will vote with
the majority; or by failing, declare them
selves enemies Of the State government, the
supporters OF revolution and secession.
The Governor seemsto have forgotten that
this is Government Of the people. And
we take the liberty of suggesting TO him the
fatal omission of the present Legislature.
Every member should have resigned, and
the issue should have been tried by the
whole people. That would have settled the
controversy without appeal, and there would
have been no farther trouble. The cause of
the Rpprehensions expressed in the procla-
nation are traceable 10 those who refused to
resign, and not 10 those who withdrew"
The Withdrawing members did not conspire
TO overthrow popular government in the
State; but the majority of the Legislature
are conspiring against the popular will. The
manner Of their election is wei known. So
long as the war lasted they may have been
acceptable, though the people they repre-
scented had no voice whatever in their cleo
ton. But when the war ended and peace
was restored, and the Governor in public
addresses headed new and continued war
party, he and those who followed him rec
oned without the popular appreciation. This
they have found out and the evident object
now is to override the people, set their wish
Is at naught, and so perpetuate their own
power Such is the true issue now presented
to US. II the people desire to abdicate the
proper functions of selfgovenment and vest
their rights and powers in the hands of an
oligarchy such as this, all they have to do is
10 sustain the Governor and the majority Of
the Legislature.
At its last April session the Legislature
passed law DISTINGUISHING majority Of the
people Of the State Though we regarded
il as unjust, weak and foolish, we have obey
ed il, and will continue to obey ans law
upon ;he subject that body may enact. fit
has been disregarde6 this fact shows only
the futility of enacting laws against the al
most universal sentiment of a republi-
can and just minded people. This is no; the
frst instance Of a statute being disregarded
by free people. And it may as well be
understood, first as last, that any law upon
any subject which fills the public mind with
loathing and disgust, can never be executed
10 the letter Its effect will be evil it will
create in the subjects Of law disrespect for
its provisions aud rob il Of its sanclny. II
all the members had remained and another
had been enacted Il would have met with a
still worse fate. IL is idleness and folly for
few men to set themselves up against a
whole people, and il becomes criminal when
IL is persisted in 10 the disturbance Of the
peace and good order Of society and gov
eminent
Our interest in the franchise is only about
the one hundred and fifty thousandth part Of
thar Of the whole people Of the State. But
principle is involved which strikes at the
root Of free and liberal institutions. II the