Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-07-11
THE KNOXVILLE WING.
Knoxville, Tenn, July n, 1866.
ON the Baltimore American, (Conservstivs.)
What the Union People Want.

We want peace with security. We were compel
led 10 take up arms in defense of the Constitution
and the Union, and we found that there existed an
institution which nerved the hearts and strengthen
ed the hands of our foes and abolished that in
stitution. We want to sweep out the debris, and
get the house in order for free occupancy. We
have fought for freedom and Union and we II ust
see that both guaranteed. How is this to be
done? Can il be done by an immediate and I'M
conditional restoration of the Southern States to
their ancient status under the Constitution Can
It be done by rewarding them for treason with q
increase OF representatives basis of non-voting
population, and increased vote in the Electoral
College as a consequence which will enable them,
with the aid of Northern copperheads to secure the
Executive branch of the Government, with its vast
patronage and power? Must we emasculate Penn
sylvania for her loyalty, and reward South Carroll
ma for her treason in order that may have peace
No, a thousand time, We have had war for
i've years at their will TO prevent their taking the
territory of the South from dominion; we do
not mean at this late day to give them instead the
dominion of the whole country. We have had TO
await their subugation for peace-they must await
centuries for power.
We wish not to exclude the people of the South
from any Of the privileges of representative gov
eminent. We shall be glad TO restore to them all
the rights they have wickedly forfeited by their
treason, but we must do this with due regard TO
our own safety. We cannot afford to again warm
the viper into life that it may sting us. We must
adopt the Constitutional amendment reducing the
sectional power of the South by reducing the basis
Of representation. 1t is all important to the ber-
ties Of the people and the perpetuity of the Repub
nc that this constant schemlng the part of Exec
utives for reelection should cease With it would
cease all those great abuses of patronage, which |
have grown out of the theory of rotation, and the
doctrine " to the victors belong the spoils." Who
are the victors? Is the President who owes his |
election TO great party, the victor or is the party
who elected him the victor May he disregard |
the fact that his triumph was the joint triumph of
all his fellow partsans that he owes to the men of
place under him his election, as much as they owe |
TO him their appointment? The country belongs |
70 the people not to any Office holder or set of office
holders. The Government belongs to the people, |
and tho Executive head of the Government is but |
Inc temporary residuary Of power He stands mere
ly to carry out the will of the people Let US de-
prlve him. then, of all temptation to do wrong BY
deprlvlng him of ali chance for the succession If
he knows that when once he has ATTAINED that high
est round Of political ambition, he must work for
Inc good OF the country and posthumous fame, in
stead Of the succession it will relieve him from all
sspersion Of motives, give him independence Of ac
lion, and add essential dignity TO the Office
If the basis of representation is changed from
that which now exists, as TO prevent non-vot-
ing population from being represented in Congress
Why then the sectional power Of the South as po-
liticsl body will be gone; and even without abol-
lshing the Electoral College might hereafter
reasonably hope for perpetual Union triumph.
We must pass such laws as are essential to the
protection of the freed people in their civil rights
Having called upon them for help in our hour of
danger to desert them in our hour of triumph would
be dastardly and ungrateful, and deservedly con-
sign our good name to infamy and disgrace. We
must keep faith or we shall 60 down in contempt
nation more afford TO sacrifice its plighted
word or its honor than man can.
Now, what the Union people want, and mean to
have are just these things. They must see that we
not only have peace, but peace that will last
that secures the freedom bestowed upon the slave
that secures the perpetuity of the Union-that Sc
cures the National debt-that protects labor and
guarantees freedom by righteous laws.