Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-24


sailors, TO meet on the 18th Of September, at
Cleveland, to sustain and indorse the recon-
struction policy Of President JOHNSON, and
the action Of the Philadelphia Convention.
In addition to the names Of the committee
the call is approved by Major Generals JoHN
A. DIX, STEEDMAN, BLAIR, SLOCUM, COR
DON, GRANGER, MCCLELLAN, FRANKLIN,
and about eighty other general officers who
further recommend the holding Of local Con-
yentions TO cooperate in the movement:
To the Soldiers and Sailors who served in the
Army and Navy Of the United States during
the late Rebellion:
In pursuance Of a resolution Of a meeting
Of soldiers, now or lately in the Union army,
held in this city last evening we invite
those Of you who approve the restoration
policy Of the President, and the principles
announced by the National Convention at
Philadelphia, TO assemble At Cleveland on
the 18th day Of September next, for con-
sultation on the momentous issues now con-
vulsing our country.
We need not argue TO you at length the
importance Of these issues, nor your duty TO
take part in their settlement. After five
years Of fierce and destructive war, in which
our arms were gloriOusly triumphant, the
Union for which we fought is still, practi-
cally. unrestored. Why is this? We strug-
gled 10 maintain the rightlul supremacy Of
the General Government, TO conquer all
who, in arms, disputed its authority, and TO
make every rebeliOus citisen yield to its
laws. We held throughout the war that the
Union Is indssouble, and its powers, as ex-
pounded by its courts, supreme; that no
State can Of its own action, withdraw, or at
the will Of its sister States, be excluded, and
that the duty Of each State to maintain the
Union, and It's right TO take part in the Gov
ment are, alike, absolute Every object Of
the war ever recognized by, or known TO,
the army and navy, has been thoroughly
achieved. The Southern people, decimated,
impoverished and subdued, have, for more
than a year past, abandoned the rebellion,
and now only ask that the Union for which
we fought should be recognized "a existing,
and that they may be dealt with as the Con-
stitution and laws prescribe.
In their anxiety 10 restore the Union and
bring harmony to its councils, they have
gone beyond a merely silent submission to
its laws Through tbeirdelegates at the Ma
tional Union Convention they solemnly re-
nounced the doctrines Of notification aud
secession from which the war arose, repudi-
ated the rebel debt and declared Of sacred
obligation the national debt, proclaimed the
faith Of the nation pledged to the continu-
ance Of bounties and pensions TO loyal sol
dicrs and sailors, and their families, declared
slavery forever abolished and the freedmen
entitled 10 equal protection Of law in person
and property with their former masters.
Their platform is not only one Of emphatic
loyalty but IL is, moreover, most liberal in
81. g.f
the war. The character Of the men who
represented the Southern States in that Con-
vsntion precludes Us from believing this
cnunciation of principles to be insincere.
They sent to il their foremost statesmen,
who, like RvEs, GRAHAM, ORR PARSONS,
SHARKEY. llOUsrON, BROCKENBOROUGH,
HUNT MANNING and. STEPHENS were
known throughout the land before the war
IA men Of the highest character and influence.
Among the five hundred delegates from the
South, there was not voice or vote dissent
ing from the resolutions adopted by the
Convention. If the best Of the Southern
people are ever 10 be believed, we must ac-
ccpt their solemn declarations as sincere.
We do accept them rs conclusive evidence
that q great majority Of the Southern people
sick Of war and anarchy, and longing for the
restoration of free government, are ready
10 bear true allegiance to the Constitution
and laws Of the Union.
We are, therefore, unwilling TO see the
Southern people held longer in vassalage.
They are our countrymen, citizens Of the
United States, who have incurred penalties /;
but who have rights. Those who willlully
participated in the rebellion, and are I'M
pardoned, are subject to the penalties pre-
acribed for treason. But, though individuals
may be tried, convicted and punished, COM
muuiues cannot; nor can the States and
their people without plain violation Of the
Constitution, be denied the right Of repre-
scntation through men, personally qualified,
in the councils of the nation.
The intention Of Congress seems TO be 20
deprive them OF representation Just so long
rs it suits the purposes Of the Radical party.
Many assert that IL will conccde the right
whenever the constitutional amendment
shall have been adopted, and each pro-
scribed State shall have ratified it, but il is
quite certain that the amendment will not
be ratified by three-lourths Of the States,
aHd therefore that IL will not be adopted.
Some, perhaps many, Of the Northern States
will reject it,, and we cannot expect its legal
ratification by any Of the lately insurrcc-
tionary States. IL there were no other rea-
son why the Southern States will reject it.
IL is enough that it PROPOSES to disiranchise
nearly an the men i'm the South who have
influence over the masses Of the people. If
none were 20 be DISTINGUISHED except officers
of the rebel army, we still could not expect
the South 10 adopt It. For large majority
of men in the lately insurrectionary States,
from compulsion or choice, served in the
rebel armies, and their votes alone would
overwhelmingly defeat it. Would Union
soldiers, 90 recover political privileges dis
franchise their leaders whom they revere
for their heroic virtues How then can VIC
cxpect Southern soldiers 20 disfranChlse and
degrade their old commanders?
As there is no probability that the amend
ncnt will be ratified by three-fourths Of the
States. the plan of restoration which Con-
rress appears 20 have determined upon is, al
best impracticable. That proposed by the
President. and approved 10y the National
Union Convention, is feasible, and, we be-
lieve, safe.
We have no fear that the South can ever
overthrow the Federal Government or ever
disturb its career Of power and glory. They
will be tie last OF the States 10 rebel, and II
they shall again rise IN Instruction, the
lnyal pcopIe can and will subduo, and II
need be. destroy them. The Government
las asserted It's power for sclfprescrvation
and the devastation and misery Of the South
proclaim to this generation, at least, the
crime and the terrible penalties Of treason
g,holdiur their woes, and contrasting theil
weakness and our strength, We could afford
to show the confidence and courage OF mag
nanimltv. We might well let our vanquish
al oppGncnts live, and like JAMES FIT.
JA,rS. at Coilantogle Ford, staunch theu
wounds and forgive their treason. But w
are not asked 10 be maguanin'3us, but onl,
consistent and lust This we cannot reius
10 be without = violation OF the Constitution
of our country and risk Of its overthrow
We seek and will have no association u
uolitical action with men North or South
Who are not avowodly Of our opinion, san
c,rsIy faithful 20 the constitutional prin
ripl,s Cor which we fought But # men
who have taught or practiccd treason, nov
opcnly renouuce their errors and maintain
with ms the true principles Of our Govern
ment We shall not reject their cooperation
When the restoration Of the Union ana u
preservation Of our Government are an l.
sue. however much we regret To- sever ohe'
iShed political associations ana 10 oo-oP'
rate With former enemies we must preiS'
ACT with those who have been wrong ana AZ !
nov right rather than those who were riga