Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-19

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TO OER IEGTsLATIvE FRIEHne.
If parties in our Legislature would per-
NIT their passions to subside, and look done
to the merits Of each question that arises,
not only'touid the session be more pleas
ant to the members themselves, but greater
good would rebound to those whom it is their
business TO represent. Now, unfortunately,
a party turn Is given 10 every measure that
is presented, and each is disposed Of accord
ing 70 the Political effect it may be supposed
likely to produce Partisan feeling is the
controlling influence which governs and d.
reefs. If two families are forced to live In
the same house, it is best for their domestic
comfort, and for permanent good, that each
should curb sheir passions and treat one an
other az civilly as the nature of the case will
possibly permit Wehave had bloody and
terriblestruggle Doubtlesson both sidesmany
things have been left undone which ought
to have been done, and many things have
been done which ought to have been left un-
done. But the war is over, the authority of
the Union has been re-established, and both
parties 10 the contest now in the future must
live together Would il not be wise for both
parties to pursue the same course which
sensible families would adopt under similar
circumstances. Can not each, for the good
of the whole, allow to the other the same
honesty Of intention and integrity of pur-
pose? Let each fret and rave as he may,
still we are bound together by the iiidissolu-
bic bonds Of the Union. Let us then
individual interests and every pull
sation of patriotism demand this Of
us. Much of the past is beyond hu-
man reach, but not all of it. For more
than four years the CoDfederates resisted the
forces and authority of the Union with all
the energy and power they could bring to
bear. But the cause of the Union triumph
ed and conquered all opposition. The Con-
federates, relying upon the magnanimity of
their conquerors, yielded the contest, and as
gracefully as it was possible for a conquered
people to do, accepted the result They re-
turned to their homes, took the cath of am
nesiy rendered to them, and asked thst they
might be restored to the position of citizens
Of this great Republic. VIII it tend 10 the
peace, happiness or prosperity of indi-
viduals or of the country for tine con-
queror to continue to war upon the un-
successful, now that they are defense
less and ask for quiet and repose p
We submit that it will not. Many mea-
sures were adopted, which, in the tendency
of the struggle, and in the disturbed eondi-
ton of the country produced thereby,
may have, at the time of their adoption,
seemed just and proper. But the circum-
stances which produced this seeming neces-
sity for such enactments have passed, and
the enactments should pass with them. We
illustrate by referring to but one-the Fran
chise law of this State. Whatever neces-
sity may have existed for such law at the
time Of its passage, the necessity has ceased
to exist. Its longer continuance upon eur
statute books would serve but as constant
cause of irritation and i'll feeling 1t would
be an anomaly in the history Of Republican
government, that two-thirds of the citizens
Of the State should continue to be held as
pariahs, as unworthy to enjoy the privi-
lodges, and yet made to bear all the burdens
Of government because Of political differences,
even though they were 30 great as to have
led to a collision Of arms. So startling a
proposition cannot long be maintained, how
much soeyer it may be sustained by the pas
sions of the hour. 1t must pass away, and
for the general harmony the sooner the
better. The desire of the Canfederates to be
re-enfranchised does not proceed from n
longing for political power. We take it that
the experiences and results of the war have
cured the most of them of any anxiety to take
m active part In party politics. The men
who make laws for them is matter Of COM
paratiyely little importance to them, so the
laws which are made prove for the good of
the State. But they wish to be re-clothed
with the rights Of citizenship, at least as fully
as they are possessed in other Southern
States by those who united with them in re-
sisting the General Government An en-
lightened and liberal public sentiment, with
out regard to party, demands this, and those,
who, sacrificing all of passion and prejudice
that may remain, attunetheir action in accord
with this public sentiment, viii hereafter be
held and treated as public benefactors /