Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-04-11
Letter frora Hon. Horace Maynard.


DEAR SIR:-Your letter Of the 10th, inviting me
to address the people Of Shelby county, in the city
of Memphis the 2sth inst, has just been receiv-
ed. Gladly would do SO, did net affairs here rem
der it inexpedient for me to be away so long. It is
barely two years since had the honor Of being
heard In your great commercial metropolis. The
object Of my address, then, was to urge upon my
felowctizens of West Tennessee to accept and con-
form to the actual condition of public affairs if not
desirable, at least inevitable especially emancipa
ton To my mind, it appeared just as certain then
as . does now. While by resisting and struggling
against it. we could neither prevent it nor retard it.
we could inict great injury upon ourselves and our
State This sought to avert. Hence my appeal
on that occasion
Could speak 70 the people Of our State now, it
would be to the same effect. should entreat them
to join the moving column in the great onward
march of events. If they throw themselves before
it they viii be crushed if they linger they will be
left behind and lost This is one of the great his
torical epochs which exhibit at single view, the
effects of causes operating imperceptiby for genera
tons 1t is the tide in affairs which wise men will
take at the food.
The Union men of Tennessee occupy peculiar
attitude During the war; inside the rebel lines yet
actively resisting the rebellion at the first lul of
the fight recognizing the State government and re-
establishing, an immovable basis the civil au-
thority the war over more thoroughly devoted
than ever to the honor of their country, though
grieved and hurt at being as they feel unnecessari
y denied their rghtful participation in its affairs
1t is romantic loyalty allied to the exalted sent
ments Of earlier sge. Their record, to this mo-
ment, reads we'll By what cannot help regard
ing direct nterpeston of Providence, one of their
number has been elevated to the highest office in the
Republic. Whatever else may be thought, all will
agree that Andrew johnson is marked and re-
msrkable man. In time of such bitter passion, it
not to be expected that he would escape
1t right, nay, desirable, that the leading meas
ures of his administration, so pregnant of cense-
quences, should undergo the most thorough and
searching criticism provided it be honest and can
did All beyond is within the domain of political
warfare
As his friends and supporters, we are, for various
reasons directly interested in those official acts
and declarations which relate to the rebel States
Among them the following:
l. The declaration that "ths rebellion, in its rev.
dictionary progress deprived the people of the State
of all civil government" appointing
Provisional Governors.
q Dsplacing all persons who were assuming, un-
der rebel authority, to exercise official functions in
any of those States, from the highest down. and ap-
pointing Provisional Governors, with full powers to
fill the places made vacant, as they might deem
proper.
3. The injunction to such Governors to assemble
conventions composed of delegates to be chosen by
that portion of the people of the State loyal to the
United States and Others for the purpose of al
tcriqg or amending the Constitution thereof"
/. Indicating TO the conventions when assembled,
the Importance,
First of declaring null their ordinances and sets
of secession.
Second, of repudiating the rebel debt, as one of
the constituent parts of the rebellion
Third, of abolishing slavery and ratifying the
pending amendment to the national constitution.
5. Instructions respecting the treatment of Union
men. After speaking of reports "that in appoint
ments to Office and in the recommendations for APP
pontments, the true Union men ARE totally ig-
nored," he adds, "while place no reliance in such
statements feel it due to you to advise you of the
extended circulation they have gained, and to i'm
press upon you the Importance of encouraging sand
strengthening to the fullest extent the men of your
State WhO hare faLtered IN their allegiance to
the government. Every opportunity should be made
available to have this known and understood your
policy and determination "-Dispat;h to Gov. Perry,
Of S. c., Aug. %, 1865
6. His policy towsrds the freedmen.
If you could extend the elective franchise to all
persons of cclor who read the constitution of the
United States in English and write their Names and
to all persons of color who own real estate valued at
not less than two hundred and fifty dollars and pay
taxes thereon, you would completely disarm the ad-
versary, and set an example the other States will
follow. This you can do with perfect safety and
you thus place the Southern States in reference to
free persons of color upon the same basis with the
free States hope and trust yolsr convention a0iH do
Mis.'-Dipatch to Cor. Sharkey Of Mss, Aug. Is,
1865.
GOOD faith requires the security of the freedmen
in their liberty and property their right to labor
and their right to claim the just return of their la
bor"
"The freedman cannot fairly be accused of I'M
willingness to work, SO long as q doubt remains
about his freedom of choice in his pursuits, and the
certainty of his recovering his stipulated wages"
The public interest will be best promoted if the
several States will provide adequate protection ana
remedies for the freedmen Until this is in way
accomplished, there is no chance for the advanta-
ceous use of their labor and the blame of ill-suc-
| cess will not rest on em"-AuHual Message Dec
/ 4, 1866.
a have with Congress the strongest desire to Sc
cure to the freedmen the full enjoyment of their free
dom and property, and their entire independence
aud equality in making contracts for their labor.
Undoubtedly the freedman should be protected
but he should be protected by the civil authorities
especially by the exercise of all the constitutional
powers of the courts of the United States
| and of the States He also possesses a
perfect right TO change his place of abode
and if therefore he does not find in our community
state or mode of life suited to his desires or proper
remuneration for his labor, he can move to another
! where that labor is more esteemed and better re-
warded. Veto Message, Feb. 19, 1866.
Z. Representatives in Congress from the States
! lately in rebellion.
HE who comes as a representative, having the
qualifications prescribed by the Constitution, to fit
him to take seat in either of the deliberative bodies
which constitute the National Legislature, must ne
cessarily, according to the intendment of the Con
stitution, be loyal man, willing to abide by and b.
devoted to the Union the Constitution of the States
He cannot be for the Constitution he cannot be fo
! the Union, he cannot acknowledge obedience to all
the LatCS, unless he is loyal When the people Seac
such men in good faith, they are entitedto represen
tation through them "-Address to tie Virginia Del
| eqation, Feb. 10, 1866.
g hold it my duty to recommend TO you in tht
interests of peace and in the interests Of the Union
the admission of every State to its share in public
legislation, when however insubordnate, insurgen
or rebellious its people may have been it presents
itself not only in an attitude of loyalty and har
,i.ory but in the persons of representatives who's
LOYALTY cannot be questioned under any constitution,
al or legal te8t."-Ve Message.
g. The disposal of the traitors.
| 1t is manifest that treason, most fragrant il
character, has been committed. Persons who arr