Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-13
THE IAconINs OF TENNESSEE.


placent and self-satisfed men on the Amer
lean continent, than were the Jacobins of
the Tennessee House of Representatives last
night. On Friday last their colaborers in
the Senate at Washington, in passing the
Civil Rights bill over the Presidents veto,
filled the Radical cup of JOY trimming full,
and on Monday few drops were added by
the prompt action Of the House which
caused it TO run over slightly. But the
achievement Of yesterday by the Radicals
sitting in the South end Of the Tennessee
Capitol, gave them an overlooking, eAerves-
cling, foaming tankard of satisfaction and
delight, that must have thrown every other
enjoyment entirely in the shade, and eclipsed
the extacies Of all the other triumphs of the
past
They obtained a quorum-qnd passed the
franchise blu
The disreputable and unlawful means by
which il was done only added 10 the de-
lights Of the occasion. The pleasure was
so perfect and rapturous that even the feeble
and cold-blood memorial Of Mr. WcBrien,
contesting the seat of Maj. WIN. B. LEWIS,
did not dash the glow and fervor of the
sweet consciousness Of the Jacobin tri-
umph.
These remarks are made, not to bring dis
credit upon that portion Of the House who
are 50 successful in their schemes for over
riding the people and placing yoke upon
their necks which they fondly hope will be
irremovable. According 10 the prevailing
idea, success is the measure Of merit, and by
this standard the actors in the Legislative
farce of yesterday are entitled to all that
they may arrogate to themselves.
The fact, that in a body composed by law
of eighty-four members, ten were absent,
two not elected, andsixteen excluded by vio-
lence and wrong, makes no sort of differ
ence. The further fact that out Of the re-
naming fifty-six, which constitutes a bare
quorum, forty-one voted for the bill, and
fifteen against titus passing it by less
than a majority Of the Legislature as con-
stituted by the laws Of the land, rather
heightened the merit of the achievement, by
showing the pleasing disregard of the rules
Of law and the principles Of republican lib
erty, which stood in the way. A company
Of Jacobin leaders could not secure the re-
spect of Radical faction as followers with
out doing these things-and in doing them
successfully they make themselves heroes
and statesmen. We accord to them all
credit, and the full measure Of their Joy.
To show our entire sincerity we will say,
ton and concur in The House bill, and it
shall become a law, we are in favor Of its
execution to the letter. We want it applied
TO the men who enacted it, and if one half of
them are either eligible to office, or entitled
to vote under it, one of three things is GER
tain-1st, the bill does not mean what its
language imports; or, %, there has been a
false copy of it printed; or, Sd, they will
peuure themselves.
1t is useless here to recount our objections
to the bill, which are, we truly say, not per-
sond. 1t is unconstitutional; destroys pub
lie liberty, is fraught with evils which, if it
is continued will be entailed to coming gen.
erations; stands in the way of justice, ard
fraternity, and is full of evil, and nothing
but evil Under it, there will not be five
thousand honest men in Tennessee who can
vote; and we want it executed because we
believe the first civic duty of the citizen is
obedience to law-for the further reason that
we want those who are willing to periure
themselves, to define and exhibit themselves
in their true colors-and for the additional
reason that we desire to ascertain how far
free people can be made the slaves of re-
vengefhl, passionate and accidental oil
porchv