Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-08
VOLUME XXXTU.

, | dered Their own State, and required by il
authorities, not only emancipated slaves b
driving from the ballot-box every one VIII
: viii not vote according to their wishes an
views; and whilst thus depriving you of tn
right Of representation, which they elaine,
to be constitutional provision, and to con
tinue until changed by another convention
they are daily creating new debts, and max
ing large expenditures, which must necessa
rl!y produce heavy taxation. Taxation
without representation is a badge Of SLAYER,
TO which our citizens will never submit.
The bill now pending before the legisa
ture, and will probably become law, will
exclude from the ballot-box nineteen-twen
ueths Of the people, if not more. The act o.
The 9th OF June last, did not exclude a sufi-
Gent number of voters to secure the success
OF the Radical party, and therefore a new
! law more restrictive is demanded, and so
framed as TO place in the hands Of the Gov
ernor the power to exclude every man who
Will not vote the ticket favored by him.
They have another bill pending, making
The state assume the payment Of all the
losses Of the Union men, by giving the bonds
OF the State, payable in thirty years, with
six per cent interest, which it is estimated
will create debt from twenty to fifty mil
lions of dollars, and without any of the
guards and restrictions which is so neces-
sary to protect the interests of the State
against fraudulent claimants.
The adoption Of these two measures, if
carried into effect, will not only deprive YOU
of your most valued constitutional rights,
but must make your State bankrupt.
Other measures, of a most pernicious
character, are pending before that body,
which ] cannot point out in such an address
as this, which will involve expenditures to
an amount heretofore unknown in this
State, and taxation never dreamed of bv
any her citizens.
The Government Of Tennessee, as ad-
ministered by the present incumbents, is the
most detestable oligarchy of modern times,
and conducted without the least regard to
the cardinal principles upon which our free
institutions were originally based.
Its organization took place in time of war,
intended, no doubt honestly, to give aid to
the United States in the great struggle for
existence, and will therefore furnish some
excuse for the irregularities in getting it up
and for its acts during the war; but that
any citizen, thus selected, after the war has |
ended, should still persist in their usurpa- |
tons, sticking to the places assigned them, |
and legislating against the known wishes of |
such a majority of the people, exhibits an |
ambition for office, selfshness and hardi- |
hood not often met with in civilized commu-
mites. To misrepresent any people, know
ingly, has been, heretofore, always consid-
cred a degradation TO which no man, having
proper self-respect, would submit. Correct
principles, self-respect, duty to the people as
well az themselves, should have induced
them, at the close of the war, TO have sur
rendered their usurped, ill-gotten power, to
the people to whom it belonged which would
have been followed by peace; harmony and
at home.
If such course could now be adopted,
and the act of disfranchisement repealed
md a conciliatory course practiced by those
now in power, the State would be as peace
al and orderly as at any other period in our
history. 1t is not to be expected that the
,itizens will quietly submit to be governed,
even wisely and justly by such 4 minority,
specially if obtained from military author
ty without their consent, or getting control
If the State by legislative tricks and con-
rivances.
The acts of our State Government say to
he world, that nineteen-twentieths Of our
people are traitors to their country, unfit for
and must be subjected to
hat by the sword. 1t would seem but Just
nd proper that those who entertain such
should abandon such traitorous
and seek home with more genial
pirits among the Yankees.
To be thus deprived Of the invaluable
light Of selfgOvernment; to have such I'M
Ist burthens imposed on us, by men who
re not our representatives, would seem to
emand of us prompt and speedy action for
ur own relief, as well as the suitable pun
hment Of those who have dared to usurp
ur rights. But the contest now going on
/ Washington, between the President and
ongress, for the restoration of the States
nd the rights of the people, and which !
lust soon be settled, as l confidently be-
eve, in behalfo of the latter, renders it pru-
ent. in my Judgment, for us to be calm,
uiet and orderly, bearing and forbearing
luch, so as to enable us to give efficient aid
, the President in his effort to preserve the
government as it was madeby the great and
God men who framed our Constitution, and
, nut down the infamous Radical Con-
ress, who labor, day and night, to change
ne Constitution and overthrow the Govern {
tent transmitted to us by our venerated
ncestors.
Changes or alterations in the Constitution, :
y such fanaticaI, u9principled partisans as
tephens, Phillips, Brownlow, etc, can re-
alt in no good TO the people. l prefer
listing my destiny and that of my child
IN to the pure and patriotic institutions of
Washington and his associates. We may,
owever, do something, in the midst of these
oubles, to preserve the honor and integ-
ty of the State from the ruthless hands r
ow controlling it. Each county can IN
ruct those claiming to represent them, and
amand compliance with the instructions
r a resignation. The right of instruction
as ever been held sacred in a republican
Dvernment. If they fail to obey instruc-
ons, we can repudiate all they do, and the
me will soon come when appropriate pun
hment can be imposed on the miserable
,ols of party and faction. They may learn ,
lesson from the fate of Hannah, who erect
a gallows for Mordecai, and was hanged
0 his own gallows; or from the fate Of the
lventor of the guillotine, who was among
: earliest victims, They may make bed
thorns for the people to lie on, and 1t
av soon become their bed of repose.
/ shall never cease to remember, with
ratitude, the liberal and generous support
wen me for half a century, and regret that
rcumstances, beyond my control, have
revented me from serving you as | wished
have done, and as you expected
Your fellow citizen, I
c. JOHNSON. i