Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-05-04
THRILLING SPEECH OF THE
HON. CAVE JOHNSON.

The Senatorial election for the Mongom-
cry Distric: being under discussion, the
Hon. Cave johnson rose and spoke substan-
tally az follows;
We are just emerging from one of the most
bloody, disastrous civil wars recorded in the
history of mankind. In this age of christi
anity and civilization, to find one section OF
our common country arrayed against another;
father against son. brother against brother;
houndrpds of thousands of our best citizens,
inundated upon the altar of fanaticsim, pas
sion and prejudice, our cities and villages
otherwise properly characterized than as dis.
graceful--alike disgracefnl to both the par
ties engaged in the terrible conflict.
4 RETROSPECT.
10 looking back upon the dreadful scenes
enacted in the last few years, we cannot fail
to remember the dark ages in the world s
history, of the Goths and vandals, of Gen.
gis-Kahn, and Tammerlane, and the desoa-
ton and ruin brought upon their more civil
lied neighbors. Nor should we fail TO be
reminded for the destiny which awaited the
nations, that sustained and sent forth such
conluerors and robbers.
Justice IS said to be blind, but her judg-
ments are unerring. II is not, however, my
purpose to contrast the follies and crimes of
the earli er days Of the world with those late
ly enacted in our own country, or to justify
or excuse either party in this horrible con-
fict. That duty will be left to future histo-
rians of our country-some American Livy
or Tbucyddes, whose impartial judgment
viii do justice TO the parties as well indi-
viduals who brought such great calamities
upon our country.
1.-THE LIVING PRESENT"
feel It my duty, as presume other Sem
ators do, to ascertain the true condition of
the country at this time, and act upon it ac-
cording to our best Judgment for the ad-
vancement OF the interests of those we re-
present, which in my judgment consists in
promoting peace and harmony among our
citizens and calling the bitter feelings which
to some extent yet exist among them, grow
ing out Of real immaginary wrongs during
the existence of the war, and thus enable
our State to present TO the world an undivi-
ded support to the noble and manly exer-
lions now being made at Washington, by
Tennessee's own President, for the restora-
tiop of the Government to the principles
upon which it was made and to the people the
rights and privileges guaranteed 10 them by
the constitution, which have given them 50
much prosperity and happiness tor almost o
century. Unity Of purpose and harmony of
action among ourselves, are the best means
to give him aid in the accomplishment of the
wise agd noble ends be has in view. Let
the nation see that his own State stands by
him, in the great struggle which he is now
making in Washington in behalf Of the Un-
ion and the Constitution. Let us stand by
him in good faith, honestly, earnestly. The
great battle he is now fighting is not only
for the Constitution and Union, il is for the
great principle of elf.goveinment and the
freedom and rights Of the people throughout
the world. As the representatives OF our
great commonwealth, all of our honorable
means should be resorted to by us TO briug
about SO happy result,
THE WAR AT AN END.
The desolatipg war, thank God is at end,
and the time has arrived when the sword
should be converted into the plough share,
and reason and humanity dictate our future
course.
The Confederate armies, after desperate
struggle Of four years, under the post skill
fnl commanders, found themselves unable
longer TO continle the war, and, like brave
men (none more gallant ever entered battle
Geld) surrendered themselves and their arEs
to the armies of the United States returned,
under parole, to their respective homes,
accepted the terms of amnesty offered by
the proclamation OF Presidents Lincoln and
johnson, and are now peaceably and quietly
pursuing their respective occupations, With
cut organization, without any wish OF desire
10 engage in further hostilities against the
Uuted States, determined TO be quiet and
peaceable, 10 good faith 10 abide by theiJ
pledge given when they surrendered, and 70
sustain the Constitution and abide by the re.
suits Of the war. Their offence, or crime, i
you prefer to call IL SO, was against the Gov.
ernment Of the United States, rs administer
ed by Mr.. Lincoln, not against the Constitp'
ton Of the United States ~ administered by
his illustrious predecessor. They adopted
for their proposed government the Consttq'
ton Of the United States, without any ma
terial change. They honestly believed tina
the interests OF both sections OF our country
would be.promoted by separation, which hey
hoped and believed would te accomplished
without bloodshed.
The overthrow Of the Constitution, or th'
destruction of the privileges aud rights Sc