Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-05-09


Geo E. Grisham of Washington.
David NJ. Nelson of Bradley.
On molten, report was unanimously adopted.
The President then addressed tie Convention in
some forcible and appropriate remarks, explaining
the object for which the Convention was assembled,
and urging the measure of erecting new State, to
be composed of the Eastern Division Of Tennessee,
upon the grounds of the geographical isolation Of
East Tennessee from the other divisions of the State
and the dissimilarity of their Understanding
with especial emphasis, upon the improperly OF
making the movement question OF partisan poll
tics.
On motion of Col 0. P Temple the President
was authorized to appoint Committee to prepare
and report resolutions for the Convention. The fol-
lowing gentlemen were appointed on said Commit
tee: Col 0. ?. Temple Of Knox; John Caldwell,
of Sewer; NJ. L. Philips, of McMnni Hon. Thos.
A. Z Nelson, Of Knox; n. B. Owens, of Washing
ton; Hon. John McGaughey of Greene Maj. VIM.
Alexander, of Roane;. Dr. VIM. Hunt, of Bradley
S. w. Randles, of Sewer; Capt. j. NJ Scudder, of
Washington; Maj \. NJ. Gamble of Blount
During the absence of the Committee on Resolu-
tions, the Convention was ably addressed by n. A.
Patterson, Esq, of Rcane who strongly endorsed
the new State project rs calculated to develop the
immense resources of East Tennessee, and to pro-
mote the political financial social and religious well
| fare of her people.
At the close of his remarks the Committee on
Resolutions, through their Chairman, Colonel o. P.
Temple submitted the following report
REPORT.
The idea of the separate political existence of
! East Tennessee is nOta recent one. Many years
ago before our late and present political troubles,
portion of our people warmly cherished such
scheme The great chain of the CHAMBERLAIN
} Mountains dlvi es and. cuts Us of from the other
divisions of the State. Our boundaries are every
where else on the mountain tops. Our people are
remote from the Capitol of the State. Those liv-
ing IN the extreme Eastern end, to reach it, are
compelled to travel over three hundred miles, and
some of them near four hundred. There is differ
enco in soil, climate AMI productions between the
two sections, and more marked difference between
the people in tastes, hatits and thoughts. In the
elections of February and June, 1861, the differ
encein political sentiment and attachment was dis
tnct as to make us in fact two people That differ
ence somewhat modified it may be- still exists, anC
will continue for a generation or longer. In view
of this difference and with the view Of aiding tn
general Government, the Convention which assem-
bled at Greeneve, on the It'll day of June, 1861
which was largely represented by ablest, pures
and best men, and by delegates from every county
with remarkable unanilnity, after five days ses
sion declared in favor Of a State, and asked
the Legislature then IL session, to give Its assent
thereto Again, in March, 1864, that Convention
was reassembled with the avowcd object of agar
pressing the matter but unfortunately other topic
| of more exciting interest were introduced and alb
sorbed the attention OF the members, and the pri
mary object of the meeting was lost sight of.
To-day the the reasons for separation, which
existed FIVE years ago still exist and some OF then
with increased force. There is not, and cannot be
anv harmony or community Of sentiment and feel
ing between the people of the two sections Tn
difference is wide, irreC oncilable and radical. !
majority indeed almost all the people west of tn
mountains were rebels in the late civil strife; wit
equal unanimity our people were loyal to tn
| Union They hated us for our alleged treachery t
! the South while our people had much to complain
of for their treachery to the Union and for thei
conduct in sending troops among us tosubjugate Vi
They constitute the majority in the State. To es
cape their rule, the loyal people of the State, q
they think are compelled for self protection to cxcud
them or the greater part Of them, from office an
the balot-box This is begetting increased exas
ton, in spite of and probably in disregard of an
franchise law which may be passed, the probabil
ties are thew will control the State. How they WI
exercise their power cannot be known In advanc
but it may be we'll for Union men to remember the
reign from 1861 up to 1868, and take warning fror
the past. They may, and probably will, indemnif
and pay by taxation, the millions OF dollars OF 10:
sustained by rebels during the war, and may a
tempt to make, at least partial compensation,
them for their ninety-fve millions Of dollars wort
of slaves.
To avoid this state of strife and bitterness we bt
harmonious community. We desire to part IN peac
to live in peace, with the power to direct our ow
energies VIC may see fit, and with the liberty,
event of an other rebellion at any future tim
springing out of the ashes Of the past one, OF az
herring to the government of our fathers, instead
being dragged into false and reasonable posltlo
by the action of others, and being forced to sudt
all the consequences resulting thereffom. Let l
then separate, and leave each free, with homogen
Gus population with and liberal laws to pursue II
path which duty and honor may point out.
The objection, that We are not able to bear tn
| burdens and expenses of an independent State, Is
SANDER on the patriotism, the iberality and publ
spirit of people. Do we then confess that v
are dependant on the people of the other divisions
the State for the means of carrying on the nachln
~ of government? We have an area OF fourtee
thousand square miles, with population OF thre
| hundred and seven thousand persons. Our soil an
climate are universally admired having Souther
exposure with Northern elevation, and combinin
to some extent the advantages OF both. Our wat
power is unlimited The Watauga the Holster
the Nollachucky, the French Broad the Pigeon
the Little and the Big Tennessee, the Hiwassee II
Ocoee the Clinch the Emory, and divers 9th,
streams, as they come leaping from the mountain
afford innumerabic sizes for the existenceof on
| ell. Dur mineral resources are incredible, and a
| most fabulous, and are ample to build and sustai
many Pittsburgs. All that is wanting to make I
| spring forward on splendid career of prosperit
and wealth is the spirit Of enterprise and the MAG
ic touch of skill, science and capital. Then wi
these dormant natural powers be trained to the SCI
vice of man, and yield plentiful treams of weslt
Look at the State of Mas sachusetts. Her Sc
was poor and UNFOLDING; her climate cold and u
genial. She has six thousand six hundred and 81
ty-nine square miles less territory than East Tenne
| ponulatiOn is 81 little over three hundre