The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-21

TO the Editor Of the Nashville Union
VIII you allow an old contributor who
sometimes serib5led for your columns amid
the exeitements Of the dreadful contest
which is but recently ended, 10 resume his
pen While have seen no reason to change
any position then took, would, we're il
in my power, modify any expressions Of
harshness, or apparent bitterness, ever
wrote. But for this should be tempted TO
write hard things in reference to the con-
duct Of the men now in power in Tennes-
see. This remark was suggested By reading
the message Of Gov. Bgownlow to the Legs
lature delivered the other day. It ives my
fate to be opposed 10 the administration Of
Isham G. Harris in 1861. / thought many
Of his acts were arbitrary and in disregard
/ Of public opinion. But no official act Of his
| Appropriated, in arbitrary disregard Of
lsw, in defiance Of public opinion, and in
violation Of the principles Of republican
government the almost daily official decla-
rations snd acts Of the present Governor Of
Tennessee.
In regard to the Congressional election
last summer, without the shadow of shade
Of authority Of law, and in direct violation
Of Law, he set aside the votes Of twenty
nine counties. Then, when in obedience to
the Constitution, the people elected their
county officers, he refuses, in violation Of
law, to issue the commissions, about which
the law allows him no discretion. On the
Sd day of March he issued proclamation
ordering elections in certain counties, but
in effect told the people if they did not vote
as he directed, they would be RENTED back
70 a military government. And now, in
the message before me, he advises and di-
reefs the Legislature not to admit members,
which he says were elected by large ma
iorities. If l condemned the comparative
" small usurpations Of Harris, in 1861, how
can I avoid condemniDg the much more
glazing ones Of Brownlow, in 1866? Was it
any worse to be a rebel in 1861, than it is to
be a greater one in 1856? What can be
greater rebellion against the peace and or.
der Of society than to be a constant and
open violator Of law? Such rebel, on as
large a scale as he can be, is Brownlow, in
this good year Of grace, unfortunately for
the interests of peace and Union now Gov
srnor Of Tennessee.
Brownlow talks in this last message about
certain persUas breaking up the State gov
eminent. God knows, if violence and law
lessness could destroy it, he and his hand
full Of adherents would soon have the State
government Of Tennessee destroyed.
By such Governor, the truly loyal Peo-
pie Of Tennessee are still oppressed, and !
doomed to suffer as they did from 1861 on.
Certain men who, like this egotistic, vim
dictive caricature Of Governor, were in |
favor of a Southern Confederacy in May, |
1860, when he said, 1--WE would then com
mand the Mississippi valley, whip the
North western States into the Southern Con-
federacy, and we would then turn upon the |
New England States and cause the hurri- |
cane Of civil war 10 rage and sweep from
Mason and Dixon's line to the cod fisheries
Of Maine, until we should extinguish the
last abolition fOOthOld upon the continent of
America" support this lawless usurper in
his revengeful administration.
What is our remedy against these out
rageous expressions from such men2 Wait
and be patient in obedience to the law; a
remedy will come in 1867, if not before,
when the term Of Office of these men ex-
pires. Beyond that year they cannot con-
tinue themselves in Office, pass whatever
restrictive franchise laws they please. +
don't care how few nor how many they al
low to vote, they never can be returned 20
office. There is no danger should they
even allow the negroes to vote. Truth, and
Justice and right are thus sure to viDdicate
themselves against the wickedness and fol-
ly of weak and treacherous usurpers. The
decisions Of time are always right, and we
may well afford to wait for them.
MORE ANON.