The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-11-16
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

and House Of Represenidtires
II public affairs, 10th State and National,
were not unsettled and disturbed, ] might
not, upon your reassembling under your own
resolution, deem Tiny duty formally to adj
dress you any communication. But the rap
| Id succession Of impottant events, constantly
affecting the public interest, demand, In my
judgment, that should recommend TO your
consideration such measures as Judge ex2e-
dient.
The year now rapidly drawing to a close,
may be said to be in the main u year Of
peace and plenty. For, while few evil-dis-
posed aud turbulent politicians have sought
TO disturb the tepose Of the people, and a
few riots and crimes have disgraced certain
localities, the great body Of the people have
quietly pursued their peaceful ayoCations.
Abundant craps have awarded the labor Of
the husbandman, and the general business Of
the country has greatly improved-so much
80 that our people appear to be rapidly ap:
preaching that degree Of prosperity which
blessed them 10 former years.
For thtsS blessings, already realized and
in prospect, we should return thanks to az
overriding Providence.
At your extra session in July last, In the
face Of the direct opposition Of the Federal
administration, and III defiance OF its power
and patronage, you ratified the pending
amendment TO the Federal Constitution. The
loyal people o! the nation have approved the
wisdom and applhudpd the feHrlessnesss OF
your course aud the Congress Of the United
States signi6ed their appreciation by 1T once
admitting to their seats your chosen repre-.
sentatves; thus restoring TO our StHte all
the rights and relations that had been lost or
disturbed by the rebelliOn Of our people,
True, You have been RUused and denounced
by the President and his present followers
while those Who endeavOred By revolutions
~ nrts to destroy y)ur orgah'zhtion have
| heen honored and rewarded, yet yor have
enjoyed the Appreciation OF your own' con-
scirnce, and received the plaudits OF the pa
triote Of the nation, and may we'll 80 on In
,he even tenor OF your way, guided alone Oy
a sense Of duty, .t
Having in this disungdished manner aAix.
ed tLe seal Of your appreciation to thiS
Amendment Il Is proper that you should
mould your legislation to their sPlr" and
design. ia tA aJ4A
While itnis true that this amendment leage7
with the Statps, as heretofore, the regulation
of the elective franchise, II 10 equally true
that they encourage the eniranc alsement OF
all loyai male citzens Of whatever color
Our own State, for instauce. under .he opera
tions Of the ameudnent, without the eniran-
chisrmeht Of the colored citizens, will leave
but sir Representatives, which with impartial
loyal suffrage, Il is estimated that she should
have nine, thus 1urssiug her power In the
councils Of the nation iFiY per cent.
In my message addressed to you IN Octo-
her, 1885. the suhjrct Of colored suffrage Is
disepsse, in all Of its besrings. Upon a
eprelul review of that paper, still approve
the sentiments therein expressed, and re-
spscliplly refer you TO them. III sfe',+-
An stentful gear, however, has passed
dhcs it was wriitrni rnd while unforeseen
everts have happeued, contingencies therein
contemplated have also occurred.
The rOlored race have shown . greater
aptitude for leafnihg End Intelligence Than
was expected, and by their goOdocondHct aud
steadfast LOYALTY haze rapidly won upon the
good opinion and respect upon the white
face. while the late rebelsy under the en-
eoursqpment Of the President, have shown
lesS disposition 10 return 70 true loyalty than
Was hoped for. 7Hi 5'f7 ''tlFs fli-
These Manifestations have oecasioned
,apid ADVANCEMENT Of the nation ! sentiment
| in favor Of impartial suffrage. s1o5 afli
IN ths message 70 which . have Alludedi
while candidIy admitting that negro voting
cannot suit nv natural prrjud'ces OF caste
il is vet stated that ''there 10 a elAss OF them
/ would BE- willing TO see them vote I'ouee"
The opinion 70 also expressed that negro
suffrage is bound 10 follow as one OF the
great results of the rebellion: and that the
time would CON. when II would be proper
and right" but thas the time had not then
come. the great objection being 10 ''the im-
mediate ana indiscriminaie enlranehlsenent
OF the negroes = but II iS directly insisted 10
the message to which 1 refer, that u rebels
are 10 be restored 10 the Fights OF the elect
", franchise, let us no longer deny those po-
ltieal tights tn the late slaves Eso havs oefn
hthful AMONG the fAiiblsss.p J sml Hdhere
%. ahe opinion that "alI this great outery
sEalast negro voting IN 4AU contingency
comes from a lingering sentiment o. alslqy-
\ altV In flfg-t1utif tifa--aa-s-.-
lnrfi ~ the States lately dn FehfllenN except
! Tennessee, dhs rsbels hare BEEN faly r.
nopsd 70 thsFigh,sof the elective irapshigsi
lpHd sEen neib aar own sste, .uHdsr = some
what UtfinasnN lags lArgs nam
bsrop disloyhi Psfsoos ,e5t unAFgidAlly AL
lowed u lrota. o llss1J 40 fiTgI II ltal.llL
Whafhsr tha Tina haa como when " ~