Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-15
WHO ARE MEMBERS OF TIE LEGIs.
LATURE?

Whilst the faction of Jacobins in the lie
glslature are endeavoring to erect a despo-
tism in Tennessee, as part of the conspira-
cy to overthrow republican institutions in
this country, il may be well for the people
to consider hOW these infamous desigrs are
to be accomplished. 1t is well known that
the present Legislature was elected under
the general ticket system, which YVES author
lied by an irregular Convention, unelected,
and assembled on individual volition. How
far such proceeding COMFORTS with the
genius and spirit of popular liberty we do
not propose now to discuss; but we give no.
tlce that the people Of Tennessee, so long as
we possess the means Of giving information,
shall not be dragged in the chains Of slavery
in Ignorance. We have made no war on the
State Government as such. We have con-
ceded to it the proper and just authority
OF such a power. So long as it respected
the rights Of the people, we were not only
willing ourselves TO abide by and obey Its
admonitions and enactments; but to advise
and urge all others TO do the same thing.
Onr motives have been misrepresented, and
we have the satisfaction of being more thor
oughly detested by the Jacobin leaders in
Tennessee than any others Of her citizens
Our purpose has been 10 contribute what
ever influence we may exert in the State
and country, to a speedy restoration of peace
and prosperity among all the people, on the
basis of the Constitution and laws of the
land-fully satisfied that under no other
auspices could the liberties of the people be
maintained, and that fraternity and prosper
ity so desirable to all be secured.
But, when an oligarchy attempts to crush
the rights of people unaccustomed to the
chains of slavery, and upon the ruins to erect
despotism, it becomes necessary to know
hOW and therefore it is done. The action OF
the House of Representatives on Thursday,
excluding the lawful representatives Of the
people to the number of sixteen; and when
it is further determined, by similar course
Of lawlessness, to exclude more than twenty
at least one-fourth of all that body-it is
time for the people to inquire by what right
these usurpations are attempted to be justi-
fed
We propose at proper time TO enter into
this inquiry, and, without desiring to over
throw or otherwise interfere with the proper
and Legitimate functions of the State govern
ment, to show that the House was not a
lawful body when it pretended to have
passed the franchise bill, and that, should it
become alaw by thisvote, nobody in the State
of Tennesseeislegally boundby its provisions.
We are fully prepared to do this, by legal
proof that there was not constitutional
quorum of members present when the bill
was voted upon-several persons, at least
three, having voted upon it with no more
rightful authority than JEFF: Davis possesses
upon the subject.
This is not a subject to be treated by the
application of epithets, nor the indulgence
Of mere denunciatiOn. We trust the Senate
will have the good sense to modify material
ly, or wholly defeat the madness of the
House If they do not, they may rest as
sured that the wrong which is committed
will return to torment its inventors.