The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1866-03-03

DEITY cOInWIssio''eA1' " ALo;r
tho qualification 0 fthe voter, and their
instructions taking color from his pre-.
udice; or, If his commissioners nc,
without his instructions, or dlsresaIu
them, determine the qualification by tne
amount of personal profit and gam
there may be in the transaction ana
DENYING to the loyal citizen the right OF
appeal from the decision Of this oilicer'
who is under the penalties for a viola
ton of the law. Pause, fellow-citlzens'
and reflect upon the immense power
this confers upon q single indiyidta'.
We have lately seer the President OF
the United States refuse to receive even
less power, when rendered the control
of the freedmen. No matter how gooa
or great the man may be, the lodglneht
of such vast power in his hands is dan-
aerous to constitutional liberty, II Is
at war with the whole theory of Repub'
lican Government. .
Cd. The bill violates that great prlh,,
chile, to maintain which II filthers OF
l77G pledged "their lives, their for,
tunes, and their sacred honor" an
which gave birth to our glorious Union,
viz: that representation should follo"
taxation. L.4t
Sd. The bill violates the plighted
faith Of the United States, of Abraham
Lincoln, of President Johnson, OF zen
erals Grant and Sherman. In this that
the action of the Congress Of the Uni,
ted States, President Lincoln ana
johnson were authorized and directed
to tender to the States and persons
thereof in the rebellion, such terms OF
amnesty as would lead to a restoration
Of the Union.
In the exercise of the power thus
conferred by law and under the constr
tuition, President Lincoln made his re-
peated proclamations of amnesty, pro,
posing to restore all those who availed
themselves af the benefit thereof, to all
their rights, save property in slaves
the conditions thereof being the taking
and observing the oath OF amnesty.
Similar tenders were made by President
johnson in his proclamation Of May
80, 1865. Many ofyou, fellow-citizens'
awaited yourselves of this offer OF the
Government, particularly that Of Presi-
dent Lincoln, and have faithfully OBJ
served it. But, Notwithstanding this,
under this bill you are to be deprived
in a summary manner, of the most cher
ished and sacred right guaranteed to
you by the action of the United States
through its Legislative and executive
functionaries.
1t would seem that if the Legislature
of the State can now, after the action OF
the United States, through its Chief
Executive officers and agents, add to
the pains and penalties, or create them
against the parties who have received
the amnesty, the protection and faith
of the Federal Government-then that
the doctrine of State Sovereignty is re-
asserted. Against this doctaine we
protest, and are willingt to abide the ac-
ton of the laws of the Federal Union.
4th. The bill being one, that by its
discrimination deprives parties hereto
fore, and under the existing law, cnti-
tied to the right and privilege OF vo-
ting, lin other words possessed of the
elective franchise violates the Consti,
tution,-in fact, it is e. parte tacto'
And further, it Furnishes and deprives
the citizen of his rights and Liberties
without presentmcnt or Indictment, and
without his right oftrial by jury.
Under its operations the citizen loses
his estate, rs such, and becomes a sub
jcct for offences committed, or suppos-
ed to have been committed, mot
against the State Of Tennessee, but the
United States,) prior to it's passage,
and that upon the sole judgment of the
Governor, or that Of his Commits
sioner. ...lY. ....- .
9th. The bill violates that spirit of
harmony, equality and division of po-
litical power prescribed in the Consti-
tuition of the three grand divisions Of
the State. The political power of the
State would, upon the passage of the
bill, become sectionalized. The local
izing of the political power of the
State, in any one section, would BIZ
fraught with infinite mischief, ant
would destroy that harmony and pride
which, heretofore, has prevailed in thu
State, and contributed to its progress
and prosperity; and no one having thu
welfare of his State at heart would de
sire to build up or promote the politi
cal fortune of one section at the ex
pense of the other. .r -..
W. have thus, as briefly as could b'
done, fellow-citizens, made a frank
candid and true declaration of the mo
tives and reasons that have governed
us in our recent action. A bill con
cocted in secret cabal, thrust upon on
instant consideration, and its passag'
urged forward in hot haste, unde
pressure of the previous question, witt
q limited majority in its favor, ant
which by its provisions O%verthrowc'
the republican form of u govern
ment, destroyed the Constitution, brok'
the faith of the Government, and mad
merchandise of the liberties of the peo
pie, called for prompt, decisive meas
ures to arrest the progress of this mos
dangerous revolution, i%naugurated b.
the majority Of the present House o
Representatives. We have not hesita
ted to interpose our efforts to stay thi
progress of this attempt to subver
your Government and destroy you
liberties. Di
Conscious of the rectitude Of our in
tentions, and in view Of the rights ant
interests Of the people of Tennessee
confded to our care, we appeal to yol
to sustain our course.
W. B. Lewis, from Davidson.
Saml P. Walker, from Shelby.
A. E. Garrett, from Overton.