Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-09-12

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FAINT as denunciatory as vindictive and IS cruel a
they were at any period during the rebeiilon. pee
ing this and realizing that so far from Deng reunll
ed to their homes they were reunited 70 tne sam
Government. Some of them who happened to b
at the national capital deemed the ume Propitlou
20 cali ON the Unionists of the South 10 send dele
gates TO meet and consult together as TO their owl
Condition and that of the country. They believed
that tbav saw not only ger TO themselves but
cIopd though no bigger than q mans hand on tn.
verge of the horizon, which might ultimately spread
over the entire country. They therefore determined
TO make the call. The question then presented it.
self where should they meet? They knew there was
not congenlal spot of soil for them in all the
South no place where they could meet except they
followed the fate of those who met in convention
| month ago In New Orleans. 1t had been truthfully
said in one of the leading administration papers thai
/ they would not dare TO meet on Southern soil He
who uttered that truth did not know how important
would be the attempt 10 disburse the minds Of the
American people of that repeated falsehood that the
South had returned in complete faith to its alegi-
ance to the Government Their eyes turned in
stnctively to the good city of Philadelphia where
civil personal liberty on the American continent
had its birth. They knew that here, in the city of
Franklin, and in the sight of old independence
Hail. they might meet and consult with the approx
ing smiles of its citizens. If not, where under
heaven could they go? Voice" Nowhere."1 There
had come sound OF welcome, but that which they
had received had far outstripped their expectations
For that welcome he returned grateful thanks in
the name of the loyal men here assembled and of
the loyal constituents whom they represented of
every man, woman and child of them, whether
white or black
This Convention had been called because they re-
allied the fact that no practical principle had been
settled by the late contest. They had hoped that
henceforward this Government would be such gov
eminent as the fathers had intended it TO be- giving
freedom to every human being within its limits by
placing sure foundation the rights of every cit
izen But they found that they were only to be re-
mitted to the tender mercies of States which might
st their will and discretion, strike down the dearest
OF human rights while no protecting power to
be found in the Government They therefore
deemed the time suspicious TO bring back the peo-
pie to the primitive ideas of Republican liberty and
TO organize party, or rather to enforce the organ
cation of party devoted to Republican liberty, to
bring il back TO the simple platform of the Consi-
tuition to secure the rights of every citizen. That
was why the Convention was called. They invoked
the assistance and counsel Of all their brethren every
where throughout the United States; they asked
loyal men that came here from loyal States to give
them the hand Of welcome; help to renew their
faith TO the Government in purer spirit than be-
fore, and to prove TO all Presidents, Cabinets and
Councils that the people North and South who were
loyal to the Government would be satisfied with
nothing less than actual security individual equal
lty under the Constitution to all men. Cheers If
IucN COulu DC budL splrlL L0elr 0edrLS would
be with those delegations from loyal States. As to
their fitness, they had long since been expended
and they had nothing TO give the cause but their
lives and honors. [Cheers. These they pledged
never to cease in their efforts until they could shake
hands with the people of the North on the broad
basis of human rights; until they could say that
wherever the American Constitution extended it
covered none but freemen, in deed as we'll as in
name, practically, as well as theoretically Loud
cheers
After the conclusion of Gov Hamiltons speech,
some in the crowd called for three groans for
the dead dog of the White House, which was fol-
lowed by pretty general EXPLANATIONS of derision,
and then cheers were given for Parson Brownlow
and Gov. Hamilton.
Charles Gibbons Chairman of the Reception
Committee, then came forward with a small gavel
in his hand and said: l hold in my hand the iden-
teal gavel used in Charleston s. c. when the con-
ventiOn assembled there in 1860 for the dissolution
Of the American Union. Derisive laughter and |
aud shouts of throw it away."l This is the gavel
hat called together that convention, which declared
he American Union dissolved. [Cres of break |
It up-throw it down. Here, sir, turning to Gov. |
Hamilton 1 have the pleasure of rendering it to |
you for tie purpose Of calling that loyal
which is to lay the foundation for the blishment
q that Union.
Gov. Hamilton accepted the nauspicious gift, and |
hen the presentation ceremonies were declared end
ID, and the procession, after much confusion, was
and took up its line of march with
sic playing, banners waving, and the bells of the
ire engines ringing, to National Hall.
DR.. Sidney moved that Mr.. Durant be declared |
temporary President
Mr.. Stokes put the motion of Dr. Sidney, and it |
was carried unanimously.
Mr. Durant then came forward, and on taking |
he chair, said: For this exalted and unmerited |
loyal men of the South, l thank you
With sentiments of the deepest gratitude The honor
you have conferred upon me now will long live in
ny recollection. In after years it shall nger the
,reenest spot in memorys waste. For more pro-
racted discourse this is not the place. We should
ather, and more appropriately, proceed at once to
he execution of that patriotic and welcome duty
which has called US together from various and re-
note regions of our land. Applause. l will there
ore invite you TO make such motion to complete the
organization as is necessary for the preliminary pur
pose of the Convention. [ presume it will be ne
,essary in the first place TO appoint one or more tenn
porary Secretaries
Several temporary Secretaries were then elected.
Mr.. Durant rose and said that in accordance with
custom which he never hoped to see deviated from
in a convention of loyal men, the proceedings Of
his body would be opened by prayer. He intro
1uced Rev. John jackson, of Philadelphia, who Of
ferred prayer.
Mr. Venabie, Of Louisiana, offered a resolution
or the appointment of committee by the chair of !
i've members credentials.
An amendment was moved that q committee be
selected consisting of from each delegation, to
Mite. The amendment was accepted, and the mo-
ion was agreed to.
A committee on credentials was then appointed.
On motion, a committee on permanent organiza-
ion, comprising one from each delegation, was ap-
,onted d, each delegation to choose its members.
THIRD DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
PHILADELPHIA, September 3, 1890 A. M.-The
Convention has been called to order, late Attorney
General Speed in the chair Numerous resolutions
we're offered by delegations in favor of negro suf-
rage. Other resolutions were also introduced op-
posing Interference with the policy of Congress-
Mr.. Moss, of Virginia, addressed the Convention in
avor of adopting measures TO insist that Congress
hall provide for the comforting of the right of suf
rage all citizens without regard to color. This
ed TO great confusion. Motions were made to lay
he resolution on the table and to adjourn, which
vas lost but finally call was made for the previous
uestion, and the resolution was referred 10 Com
nttee on Resolutions. Great excitement prevailed
During the debate, Mr. Thomas, of Maryland,
aid il the resolution was adopted he would be in
avor Of enfranchising every rebel in Maryland
This was received with Kisses, and was followed
Y much confusion.
\ delegate announced that he understood that the
Committee on Resolutions and Addresses would not