Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-07-20

W. A. PEFFER.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the County !:
In presenting and reading these resolu-
tions, do but obey the request of the COM
mittee Of (which have the honor to be chair
man.
This is a pleasant duty. But in making
remarks which propose to offer In support
of the committees report | am placed in n
very different attitude.
When q man changes his place of resi-
dence, and chooses new and strange local
ity, it is not right in him to place himself in
the foreground at once as a mouth-piece and
representative Of the people with whom he
has so recently come to reside. He should
follow, not lead listen, and not speak. He
should become thoroughly identified with the
interests of the community where he lives
before attempting to lead in public measures,
or to mould public opinion.
My residence among you has not been
long; scarcely long enough to have acquired
a citizenship; and l see around me, men
grown old and gray among their mighbors;
men Of culture, refinement and honor men
skilled in the arts, sciences and professions,
who were born in the land where now ], a
stranger, speak. But many of them are
powerless. Their voices are SILENT their
hands are fettered. They are like the pris-
oner in his cell who looks upon his hands
only to see them clasped by an iron band
who looks out into the beautiful blue heav-
ems, only to know he cannot enjoy them;
who looks sorrowfully down upon his old
mother earth only to know that when his
shackles are loosed and his period of bondage
ended, he may lay down there and die.
Thus seeing, a sentiment of sympathy and
sadness steals in upon my nature, and en-
barrassing emotions crowd themselves into
my thoughts. 1t is against my feelings, and
contrary to my habit to assume prominent
place among my neighbors, and to dictate
their policy. Nothing but the fact that SO
many of these people dare not speak or act,
without being reminded that they are disloyal
and ebellious--disposed to renew strife and
discord at the first opportunity, could induce
me to take an active part in this meeting.
But, believing that action is required, and
that those who can speak should do it, at the
the sacrifice of public desires and uniform
habit, am resolved to assume the RESPONSE
bility; whatever ii may be, having determin-
ed to make permanent residence in yonr
county-to defend the rights Of my people,
for here is my home. With you have cho-
sen to live.
On the battles bloody field, we were ene-
mics; but the clash of arms has ceased; the
footsteps of the rcceding armies have died
away in the distance; night has thrown her
starry mantle over the field the morning of
peace has dawned upon us, and to-day we
are friends. You are mine, and am yours.
And when l reflect that we are all citizens
Of common country; men who have been
reared up together in land over which has
foated one glorious old banner, around
whose folds is encircled the renown of GEN.
tury, and when l reflect further that under
the shade of that same old fiag-the emblem
of mans noblest heritage-an unwarranted
jurisdiction is claimed by the power it pro-
tects, in which to change the character Of
our Government, and pile up mountain high,
not only upon these defenseless men, but
upon me and mine, almost intolerable evils;
when sec political organization, clothed
tage of these peoples weakness in order to
incorporate into the National Charter
that which will perpetuate their power:
when see these things, all feelings Of TN
barrassment vanish; all promptings of mod
esty disappear, and will stand in the breach,
raising my puny voice in earnest protest
against the inhiction of this stupendous
wrong.
1t is the duty of all men here who can, to
enter up their solemn but respectful protest
against this Radical change ia our organic
law, which, if completed, will have the ef-
fact to introduce such a. system of general
absorption by the central Government of the
dearest privileges of the people, as, that In
the future there can be no other security to
minorities than that afforded by the will Of
a majority, which may not always be dicta-
ted by the purest law.
| Believing such TO be the duty of the peo-
| pie; knowing that about nine-tenths of us
cannot act in the natter and knowing fur
ther, that 1t has been the habit of men whose
only business has seemed TO be the stirring
up Of the dying embers of war, and tradu-
cling the character of the Southern people, to
style such assemblies as this 'rebel demon
strations" many evidences Of disloyalty
and rebellion, gotten up for the purpose Of
regaining political power, ! conceive II TO be
my duty 10 join In the work, and lend them
a helping hand. The effort may be unavall-
ing and drop still-born at our sides but we
will have done our duty. We will have said
good word in behalf Of defenseless men;
viii have made an honest effort to restrain
the encroachments of unauthorized power
and will have made an appeal in behalf o.
Constitutional liberty which SO much blood
has been spilled to preserve.
know 1t will be said that | am ''gon,
over TO the rebels" that am 'white-wash
ed" But what will this amount to? Thre,
OF the best years of my young life have beer
spent In an effort to preserve our Govern
ment as whole. If now, in an effort :,
| maintain inyiolate that which was consider
cd worth my blood, | am actuated by tn
b same impulses and governed by the sam
. principles--and this is going over TO th
rebels, can only say--farewelll au gone
No, gentlemen, this is all error Ny prin