The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-06-16
A Last Diving sneech.


an oblivion as complete as its origin
was infamous before its sands of life arr
all run out, has INDUCED in a lengths
and laborious dying confession to the
public. There is something about TIN
report which savors of the specia
pleading In desperate case, where Law
and facts are so evidently irresistible
that the earnestness of effort, and the
strain of argument displayed, are in
themselves Ian Acknowledgement of the
weakness of the cause. Indeed, the
whole tone, temper, and travail Of the
document reminds US of max accused
at his defence, or a criminal at the
dock, stating why sentence should moi
be pronounced
+. We have no intention of honorine
this report with an elaborate review-if
is not of sufficient importance, nor does
it possess that weight or character de-
handing serious attention. The most
complete refutation of the premises OF
this paper is its conclusions. If the
theory of law and the array of evidence
presented by the committee is correct,
then its ultimatum is wholly made
quate and unsafe We know of nothing
more wrstched than its logic; more
unfair than its parade of the situation /;
more melancholy than its spirit of big.
otry and partisanship; more pusillani-
nous and paltry than its remedies
Every legal position taken il untena-
bic, and every survey Of the condition
OF affairs is the result of an unworthy
bias, and is looked at with +" iaundiced
eyes" If its portrayal of our national
condition is true, and we have no secu-
rity for the future save the few value
less, unmeaning and impossible amend
mems which the committee have sub
mitted, then, indeed, have our shouts
OF victory been premature; our war
fare has ignominicusly failed, and every
patriot must realize that his sacrifices
have been in vain, and his hopes for a
rescued and redeemed land are idle
and uapromising. We have naught
but sincere pity for the men who be-
lieve the Cassandra comments OF this
report; nothing but detestation for the
partisans who propagate its doctrines
and publish its Interpretations
nothing but profound contempt for the
statesmen who present such records and
such lreliefs.
In what estimation shall We hold
men who stand in the position of SenA-
tors and Representatives in the Ameri-
can Congress, who, after a half years
deliberation whether eleven States in
this Union are to be represented in the
national councils, tell us that 'they do
not deem it necessary or proper to dis
cuss the question whether the late
confederate States are still STATES of
this Union 2 We would suggest to
this committee that there never have
been Gny "late confederate States"
and it is respect to reasonable con-
spiraey which sounds blasphemous to
us from loyal lips to refer to the insur-
gents of the South with such pompous
words. 1t is language far more befitt-
ing the tory sympathizers with the re-
bellion in England, and the ill-conceal-
ed friendship of French imperialists,
than American Legislators. We main
tain that it is the most dastardly impu-
dence or their part, or a concession of
inability, not to discuss the question.
That question was the vital one which
they had to meet. 1t lies at the root of
the whole matter. If the eleven I'M
represented States are in the Union,
they have rights as States, as corpora
tions intact, inalienable and inviolable,
that cannot be touched without descrac
ton and cannot be invaded without
tyranny. In falling to meet the guess
ton the committee are chargeable with
either cowardice or ireonpetency; they
can take "either horn of the dilemma
This Government has been a mon
strous engine of wrongand usurpation;
this war has been crime of unparal-
leled atrocity and infamy; and every
American soldier has been a murderer
of his felloW-man in fact and intent
unless every American State is an in
tegral part of this Union, and every
person born and residing in them is an
American citizen. Under the great
charter Of the Constitution our armies
went upon the territory where revolt
existed to make the rebellous citizens
submit to the laws, and enable the
States disturbed by individual insurg-
ents to resume their functions and ex-
ercise their rights, or else the national
presence there was uDjustifable, and
each man who upheld the flag on that
soil was an invader. Yet this astute
committee does not consider tho de-
bate on this question necessary" 1t
dared not face the issue; for to admit
that the eleven States were out of this
Union would be to confess that either
their act of secession was legal, or their
act of resistance successful Law de-
MES the first, and the history of triun-
plant conflict fefutes the latter of
these postulates.. To admit that the
States were, are, and ever must be in
this Union, is to eoncede their equal
corporate rights, and would condemn
the unwise opposition of Congress to
the Presidential policy of recognition,
and would prove the severest censure
on the wicked delay, and the Aippant
defence of the committee itself 1t is
difficult TO reason with men who shirk
first principles. Said one disputant to
another, II viii prove the doctrine of
atonenent in three propositions"
proceed" said his opponent "Well,
YOU admit there is a God, don't your"
mo- said he; 81 don't admit any
thing" This is very convenient prac.
tice for on inconsequentisl discussion;
but it Ill becomes the dignity of legis-
lators celebrating upon the grsvest
subjects, -
Much of this report is taken up in an
attempt to traverse the course of THE
PREsIDENr in the work Of restoration.
There is considerable quibbling on the
point of authority, but the results are
left lust as they are This committee
does not propose TO nullify one act Of
the Executive, or to substitute any plan
which shall in q better way demon
strste the will of the Southern people
or their loyalty. We can imagine no
greater vindication of President JoHx-
sox's official labors in this direction |
than the fact that formidable com
mittee. animated with desire TO |
thwart him, and anxious to find valid |
objection or q single Aaw in his pro-
ceediuR. after six months Of careful re-
search, fail to discover anything which |
they can attack, and do not have il IN
their power to suggest an alteration or
4 change in his policy. While Con-
uress, through its chosen SCENTS, can
not produce an instance of wrong
10 be corrected, or a superior pol
lev to be pursued in causing the
states TO resppear, It should have the
Iaodesty, If not the manliuesA 70 besi-
- - Tta or,nosition and cOudemna-