Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-27
POLITICAL vIOLENCE-THE COEsTI,
TUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

The era of physical violence, lately closed
in this country, has been succeeded by one
Of political and legislative violence without
a parallel in American history. 1t is one,
too, far more dangerous to popular liberties,
than even the war that Immediately preced-
ed it, The fierce and vindictive course of
the majority of Congress towards all who
differ from their views and measures their
riding rougb-shod over constituencies and
unseating Representatives who had received
certificates Of election by the lawful author
tiles; their coarse and vulgar abuse Of the
Chief Executive; the denunciation Of him
as a traitor &C.; their practical attempt to
dwarf the President into a more automaton
by Withholding their consent TO his appoint
ments made under a sense of public duty
and the generally bitter, uncourteous and
violent course Of their debates and proceed
ings, furnish bad illustration to the people,
Of the truth of this proposition.
A more ample illustration, on smaller
scale, is furnished by cur own Legislature.
The prescription of a majority of the peo-
pie Of the State in the most harsh and illib-
eral terms-the summary and unjustifable
exclusion Of nearly one fourth of the Rep
rcsentatives from the General Assembly-the
wanton and unnecessary interference with
the municipal regulations Of large cities,
contrary to the wishes aad remOnstrances OF
the people-with the malignant temper and
spirit displayed by it throughout, constitute
a chapter of political violence which is a
precursor of the most fatal invasiOns of the
rights and Liberties of free people. Protest
and remonstrance were not only treated with
contempt, but appeared to form an addition
al incentive TO greater obstinacy and further
disregard of the popular wish.
This Legislature is again called together
to ratify the proposed constitutional amend
ment Whether it shall continue with the
same spirit of intolerance of the people, toact
contrary to their interests and desires, by an
Endorsement Of this Congressional edict, re-
mains to be seen. The proposition does not
and cannot receive the approval of the peo-
pie Of Tennessee. This Legislature should
not ratify it for several reasons-among
which are, 1st. The members were not
elected with any reference TO a question Of
this sort, or with any view of their express
ing the popular sense upon it. I'd. 1t is not
a Legislature Of the.whole people, nor even
Of those who are described as having al
ways been 'loyaP'-about one-ffth of the
members being excluded from their seats
Sd. The proposed amendment, if adopted
will produce an entire chShge of the social
relations between the white and black races
in Tennessee, for which neither is prepared
and which will inevitably result fatally to
the highest and best interests Of both.
The white people of this State are moi
ready TO accept the perfect social and pcliti-
cal equality of the blacks with them. They
are not prepared to admit the negroes to the
jury-box, to the ballot-box, to indiscrimi-
nate mingling in the social circle, at church,
in the ballroom, in the theatre, in the con-
cert hall, in railway cars, in the parlor and
at the hotels and watering places. They
have not yet satisfied themselves of the SUI
periority Of the theory of miscegenation and
the improving results of amalgamation and
are not therefore, ready to open the doors
of marriage between the races, either by ie-
gal enactment or in the more solemn form
of constitutional provision.
That these are some of the intended effects
of this proposed amendment to the constitu.
ton, there seems 10 be no reasonable ques-
ton. Its language is clearly susceptible OF
this construction, and however revolving its
enforcement upon an unwilling people may
be, it will unquestionably be insisted upon,
the moment it is ratified. 1t will then be
beyond the reach of Legislative repeal, and
the country will have no recourse against it.
Before taking such a step we would APP,
peal to the Legislature to pause. tits not
really question of furnishing rebels" but
one aimed at a revolution of the social and
political fabric, in which no one should be
deemed to have a greater interest than
another