The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-05-08
The Franchise.


The radicals continued, to the last
moment, to assert that President john
son desired the passage of the Tennes-
see Franchise Bill. Maynard, Fowler,
Bsownlow d Co, who know as much
about bis wishes as the man in the
moon. would have it that be favored
the mischievous policy OF cutting oil
from the ballot-box, four-ifths Of the
voters Of the state The following ar
tic!e from the Washington Republican
of the 81, is more in consonance with
tie Presidents views:
Fouallv adverse 10 the great examples Of
rafians IN fheir career ol conquest, and
alike abhorrent % the spirit Of mercy which
has heretofore distinguished our own coun-
trv. is the unwise policy Of declaring from
franchise until a certain date those who
have voluntarily engaged IA The rebel ser
vice. Those familiar with the subject must
be aware that those who fought were most
honest. the br.vest, aud the best portion OF
the south. Their iBhueuee in the work Of
restoration is most needed, because it is the
most beneGc al They are the natural lead
ers Of tn nth, and TO make them enemies
by proscriptive legislation IS 20 pursue a SUI
cidal policy. Outside Of East Tennessee the
men who withheld sympathy for their SEC
ton were Of little repute in their viclnage,
and will be of little value 10 the public now.
There NAV be some individual exceptions to
this rule. out they are as rare as InconspIc-
nous. This proscrippve C urse can have but
one effect, to engeuder hatred and STRIFE
which may furUish pTetext for further des-
E0tic euactments. Indeed, bus one Purt ose
stands out ia tnis whole plan Of reconsHuc-
toip. aud that is, TO continue agitation and
con roversy on geographical lines. IN order
to govern the ration by a Gil M = ~
under radical lead. TIE very prcPUsltlOt Is
en- argument for immediate representation
of the loyal men whom the South have
chosen 20 sit 10 Congress. Not one valid
reason for pOstpOnement IS sdVanced. Inc
great principls Of universal suffice, fOi
which 50 many prayers have been oheTed
up, and for which 50 many weary speeches
have been made, is base y surrendered fol
political power. To retain power Congress
has not only concluded 10 fling the political
rights Of four millions OF negr es to the
wind. but dares, in the face OF public neces-
sity, ana in defiance of every humane and
Christian instinct, make eleven States the
bagatelle Of party mechinations, and place
millions accustomed to the rights OF free
men under the ban Of degradation. When
honor in man is lost the best part OF man-
hood goes with it. When woman yields hel
chastity, the glory Of her sex vanIshes, and
she becomes the object Of universal pity
But these individual instances, melancholy
as they are, do nos affect materially the
word at large When, however, men who
| hold the commanding positions usually &C.
cupied by statesmen, whose acts make NJ
| the veal or woe Of nations, forget their du-
ties to the Law, eat their own words, violate
their own professions, and disregard TIT
| public safety, for no other seeming oo(ec
| bat the retention Of political power, theI
the fame Of the Repu Bile becomes involved
the chastity Of free institutions is threat
ened, and at such times, by such deeds
nations become dishonOred, and the glor.
| of q great race is furnished.