The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-05-04
speech of b. Frazier,
OF ROAEE AND KNOX,
In the Senate on the ISt i'st7 on ne Ffa''-
cLfse Qnesti0n.

,s-,s Il might be attributed TO want Of
go in me 10 declare my sentiments, or
80. NV opinions. The subject has been
s...pssed at such length that the question
s.rarbaus already settled IN the minds Of
~ rnsubef present. But IN all this dis
- en- h has seemed to me that we have
sufieiently weighed the whole matter
= r. LIGHT Of clear aud calm reason. The
-ls.,t = one that seems TO preclude from
. s.',,iud that sober reflection and that care
. III fuvestiga ion that should be had upon
. very law Of such an important character
y. tIe measure now contemplated. The
80 subiect Of the franchise has become
,-,much a strictly party question. Its ad-
yq.stes are impclled to its support by party
.1r..ierations, and its opponents arc alike
.-aBeoced by the same ierYid opposition to
rs-tv, more than their dislike to the Pur-
--.as and objects Of the bill. hope come
p +be consideration Of the subject iBhu
,r.rd By no party, but alone relying upon
-v own Judgment, drawn from the best
T,lts before me, without regard TO the
g1.Bf5us or gina Of any party, or the nope
j.. desire OF future reward or the fear OF pun
sf-.ert- Since / have been q member Of
~, body have acted with DO party. !
Esvs had but one object and aspirationI and
t1st has been 10 be a faithful and honest
rg5IIc servant. With these preliminary re-
marks i come 70 the cOAsluei asiOA Va sAS
measures now before us.
Every law that is enacted by us should
have some prominent object, some end TO
.ua.n, some purpose 10 accomplish, that
vguld result IN benefit to the State and the
Lest Interests Of the people. Keeping these
ss.f-eyident principles in view, i might be
vel 10 inquire what is the object OF all these
EHIred measures now before US.
the fret aud prominent design is to pro-
Il tr.t the State government IN future from
aI-gg .uto the hands Of those men who IN
Il ...uer wears were, as we believe, unfsIthiuI
,.r. interests, and who attempted to over
f4-5w aud sever its c0nnec ION with the
s.-.-.I Government. This is the leading
I'D man purpose Of all the bills that have
I --,-s baf5re US. ] know that there are other
/ srssFud purposes contemplated by somej
4 f.ttb.s rs the avowed purpose, and is that
E ,r rH.eb the true and sincere friends Of the
L .-.-.r-.s prgp0s.d TO stand. To effect this
L g-a.t there have been macy plans pro-
r.a...I and many measures presented, all
having the fame purpose in yiewi but ali
altering widely from each other, IN the
ursus % attain the object. There are three
8 That / shall at present notice Tho first IS
Ha abHl lhat hes passed theHouse and is now
-rga our calendar upon its third reading.
.a.s proposes 10 cifec. the end contempla-
tsH By restricting the franchise, so as TO pre-
vent au whoihaye borne a part ia the late
rebellion from voting, and thereby insuring
tFa e.erI0n OF Union men TO all the Offices
l iag gilt Of the people. The second is the
hill we have now under consideration,
Known as the Senate bill. This proposes to
adopt precisely an opposite course OF action,
fad enlarge the franchise so as to allow all
..r7ery color, as well as the great majority
.rL5i5 who had participated in the rebel
l..1, TO come to Ihe polls and vote,-rely-
uE uuan the LOYALTY Of the black man 70
ceg1terbalance the disloyalty Of the rebel.
A AthIrd plan is that which ! had the
rrIvIege b present some time ago, aud al
.r-s from both. 4 his proposes 10 thfo"
rra1 fbs ballot box 20 the rebel, and per-
-i-. birn To vote as he chooses, but restrict
.bs office, exclusively 20 loyal men.
II uisof those three plans that desire to
sneak. But FIRST It might be well 10 IN
Il au.ra whether such an end as ls c0ntempla-
Il i.a b- theee measures is demanded by the
1 srorencies Of the times, aud whether 1t viii
/ be- ior the best interests Of the state, ana
Il .I tbe people, that this object should be
sttsiue6. II these questions can be satis istac-
.-ilv settled in the affirmative, then we
II aH,Euce 10 the inquiry, which IS the best
MAN 10 be adopted, and whether we can
Il rHstftutionally adopt any Of them, and
ubatber IN adopting one or the other we
NAV not be doing more harm than good.
II In lookiEg back TO that eYentful period
10 our history, and calling up the scenes
aud events that trauFpired IN that dark ana
( stormy night, when our helmsman and
L crew bore the ship Of state into the whlrI-
/ poo, Of revolution, we are compelled TO ieei
uat those men who we're then in command
were uuskilliul pilots, aud unsafe mariners,
and we naturally recol at the thought Of
Il estrustiUr 10 them the care of the vessel,
espae.ally as we are still at sea, without
compass or ruder, drifting upon the tide
into unknown waters amid rocks and reafs
and wbirlpo0ls. Is it wise, under such
Este of things, TO turn over the whole msn-
a-ement of the ship TO the same hands that
90 acknowledge brought us into this stormy
and dangerous sea.
F0r myself am free TO confess that am
& unwilling to trust to their guidance or in
vest Them again with power, at least until
Il time and experience has taught them 20
1 .1.k back and regret their folly. Il would
lg. only be unjust to the brave and tried
la0n men o. the State, but It would be
u-ea worse for the rebels themselves. Ii
E.ld tend TO disturb the people and keep
p aud engender party strife and III feeling
- those whose interest It is 20 be united as
one people.
What would most likely be the result Of
Eylsuug that party with all the political
r.Ec- iu the State? 1t can not be denied
aa, the large majority Of that party still
Be- eve thew we're right in rebelling against
Government, aud they feel that the
.-r1 party contributed largely TO prevent
de acc0mpIishment Of their iavorite
scheme, and, hence, although they are loyal
all their acts toward the general govern
mont, aud have no thought or intention OF
---u attempting to rebel. They intend 10
obey aIl The laws aud requirements of the
g.ggumaut and be loyal and obedient cit
Sens of lhe same. / viii even do them the
lssle 90 belieye that many Of them love
l-i reverence the old Government, and
would slsud up for and de.end il against
irg.rn enemy. But while this is the case,
they were placed in power in the State
.-ag would attempt TO organize party in
iaa State aud make IL the beneficiary Of all
'-s Offices of the State. They would repeal
md attempt 10 annul all thai has been done
10 The State towards the establishment Of
eEA aud political government; would
l-auEe and reDrgsniZo the judiciary, and.
,-ru1gh it might attempt 10 reiaiate upon
-lgceut men the wrongs that some, and
.-aeea many Of them, have suffered in the
-st disturbed state OF the country, which
.-1 never be al cleared up and properly
Il -..l'ted O1 neither side, aad had far better
- mutually forgotten aud forgiven.
4-s adjustment Of old wrongs, and Obr
.'..- t past ofieuses can never be attain
% . ne are 10 be forever tossed upon the
Whirlpool Of party strife. Again, il will be
.- better for all that the Union people
'--.1 rule and control the State govern
-7-S as being more ia harmony with the
-.-eT4. Government, and hence more like
procure from it that protection and
pc. justice that is its right. From these
alterations / think il would be infinitely
.s' Tor all parties and all peoples, that
'5 That hsye done this great wrong 10
people and the government, and have
-s-t -nH crushing calamity upon US, IN
Pressiya language of President John
should take back seat" aud remain
s-1 peaceful citizens ct home, attend
t4tlr own private aft irs. The love
"er De so strong in the human breast
.- al human probability they will not
--.s. rILen IL becomes Us as legislators,
st.-3 hs god and happiness, the peace
rsPerity of all the people alone in
~ ID aioIt some measure shat will Sc
and eiiec. this object provided we can
without Violating the constitution, or
upon the whole people q policy
~ VII ltseli suByert the government or
r-5 upon that people evils and injuries
5s.l man those we would prevent. With
purposes and motives let US calmly