Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-08
AWinn aud Smeritan.
SUNDAY, July :, 1856.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

Message Of GOV. BrOWnIOw TO the Leg
fsIature Recommending fts Rafinoa
tiOn.
STATE OF TENNESSEE, EXECUTIVE Dr.
PART1IENT NASHVILLE, Tenn, July 6, 1866
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of Rep
Iesentatives: Having convened you in eK
traOrdinary session, it Is made my duty b
the Constitution 10 state 10 you the purpose
for which you have been convened. Tn
main purpose, and that which constitute
the present an extraordinary occasion, i
briefly, but directly, stated in my prOclama
ton Of the 18th of June, calling you togethe
To that paper I respectfully refer you.
Under the 9Th article Of the Constitution
of the United States, Congress has proposed
as an amendment TO that instrument a l4ti
article, which has been duly certified anc
communicated 70 this department by the
Secretary Of State Of the United States
Copies Of said proposed amendment, with
the authenticating certificate, and letter Of
Enclosure Of the Secretary Of State, are here
with transmitted for your consideration, and
invoke your action as promptly as ia con-
sistent with the gravity and importance Of
the subject
/ beg you 10 bear in mind, in your deiib-
erations, that while the most of you have
been al ali times, personally and indiyid-
ually, loyal 10 the United States, as a whole
you represent q State, the most Of whose
people went into rebellion, raised one hun
dred and ffty-four regiments, and sent them
into the field 10 fight against the National
Government; levied war against the United
States for four years; and were finally con-
quered and reduced 10 the condition Of in
habitants Of a subjugated province, wholly
al the mercy Of the cOnquerer by the laws
Of nations, and the laws Of war, the genera.
government has an undoubted right to pre-
scribe terms Of Settlement TO the State of
Tennessee. These terms have been pre-
scribed, and arc now presented for your ac-
ceptance or rejection. / have every assu-
rance that when they are accepted, your
Senators and Representatives will be admit
ted 10 their seats in Congress and the State
al once be clad with her long lost rights.
Are these terms reasonable? For my own
part, they seem 10 me 20 be bat the decree Of
political justice and equity, made necessary
by the result Of the rebellion.
By the first section, equal protection in
the enjoyment Of life, liberty, and property,
Is guaranteed 10 all citizens. Practically,
this affects mainly the negro; who, having
been emancipated by the REBEL on, and hav-
ing lost that protection which the interest of
the master gave him, became by the very
laws Of nature entitled to the civil rights Of
the citizen, and % the means Of enforcing
those rights
To deny this 30 him, would be 10 place
HE life, property and labor in the power Of
every unfriendly local authority, o. evil
disposed person, and would be an instance
of barbarism unworthy Of the age. IL will
also prevent unjust and oppressive dTcrim-
inatiOn by one State against the citizens Of
other States.
By the second section, classes who are dis
iranchised without crime, are not 10 be
counted in ascertaiHing the basis of Federal
representation. This too, may be regarded
ag one Of the results Of the rebellion;
change made necessary by our changed con-
dtion We have now among ms a class of
freedmen, 30 whom we deny the ballot and
all other political rights Have we a right
10 count them against the eniranchised cit
liens of other States2 II so, then will three
of our citizens (rebels though they be- equal
in the political balance four citizens ofany
Northern State, however patriotic; and one
citizen Of South Carolina or Mississippi will
balance two citizens or Union soldiers who
NAV reside north Of the Ohio. Certainly
the South Is not ia a condition TO claim 50
great political advantage in the national
adjustment now proposed, unless, indeed,
there be merit in rebellion.
The third section is intended 10 prevent
that class Of rebel leaders from holding
Office, who, by violating their official oaths
added one great oliense 10 another. IL Is
meant a. safeguard against another re-
bellion, by keeping out OF power those who
brought on and are mainly responsible for
that through which we have just passed.
These men, in law and Justice. forfeited
their lives and property, but benign and
merciful government infiicts no other pun
ishment or disability upon them than such
a. is necessary 10 prevent them from repeat
ing their crime No loyal citizen will OBJ
ject 20 this section.
The fourth section declares the validity Of
our national debt, and that debts incurred OF
losses sustained in aid Of rebellion are void
This j. simply a declaration Of the honor
able intentions of the nation, and will be IN
dorsed by every American citizen who IS
worthy Of the title. IL also refuses com
pensation for slaves lost by the rebellious
conducted our own people, and we should not
expect TO tax the nation to pay for them.
This brief analysis Of the proposed amend
meut exhibits a magnanimity on the part OF
the American people through their Repre-
sentatives in Congress, which challenges our
admiration. Viewed as terms of final adj
iustment between the c0nquerOr and the
conquered, their milduess and freedom from
all penalty is without parallel in the his
tory 0inations.
/ congratulate you on your good fortune
in having the opportunity of being the hon
ored agents Of restoring the ship OF state to
her ancient moorings, soon again to set sail
upon her voyage Of prosperity and glory.
But little over year ago you assembled IN
the capital and took charge OF the state.
She was PROSTATE, bleeding and helpless.
The courts were nowhere held with safety,
and Justice was administered only within a
few fortified posts. County governments
were broken up, and peace officers made no
efforts to perform their duties, and ar
archy with all its horrors reigned supreme.
Without treasury or revenue iaws the
credit of the State was destroyed and our
grand system Of railroads was in ruins
while guerrillas prowled without restraint
over the State. Nou have placed our great
State upon It's feet Under your iudicious
legislation the treasury has been able 10
meet the heaviest demands. The credit of
the State Is rapidly rising 10 its former max
imum hight Your railroads are nearly
an in running order, paying the interest on
their loans. while all your courts are open
and Justice Is administered in every part Of
the State. Il is now your proud privilege TO
restore the noble old Commonwealth to her
ancient position in the Union Of our fathers.
A. YOU have performed your duty hereto
fore in defiance Of the abuse and denunci-
alton of traitors. ~ am confident you will
DO so in the future, needless Of threats or
dictation from any source.
I regret that duty requires me 20 bring to
your notice any other subject than the
mighty question ! have already submitted
But am constrained 90 call your attention
40 the necessity Of amending an act passed
nj your last session, entitled "an act 20 es-
tablish a Metropolitan Police District, and
10 provide for the government thereof
Having appointed Commissioners for che
CITIES of Memphis and Chattanooga, the
force In each case was promptly organized,
aud the prospect for relief 10 the Peaceable
citizens was quite promising. But the law
in its practical workings is found 90 be quite
defective. Chief among these defects may
be mentioned the want Of an adequate rem
,3y in case Of the refusal of the county
conrts to levy aud colleC' the necessary rev
euue 10 defray The expenses Of the policy,
.1 a.. ,,.,,.-.,r If OWL disposel persOus I'M