Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-09
RADICAL CONTEMPT FOR THE PEO-
PIE.

During the closing hours Of the late ses-
sion Of Congress, the acknowledged leader Of |
the revolutionary disunionists Of the House,
THAD. STEVENS, delivered studied speech
giving the cue, to the Radicals, of their du-
ties during the recess. Among other things
he said
of I may be INDUCED in little egotism,
| will say that if there be anything for which
/ have entire indifference, perhaps / may say
contempt, iSth0t public opinion which ls JouHd-
cd on popular clamOr."
This contempt for the people is not pecu-
liar TO Mr.. STEVENS, and in expressing it
with the qualified consent Of his eager fol-
lowers, he was not guilty of "egotism." He
expressed the universal sentiment Of the
Radical leaders. They despise the people.
They would consolidate the political power
of the Union, as they have already attempt
ed with too much success, in the hands OF
few Congressional Directors. This they have
shown in their utter disregard Of the voice
Of one-third Of the people Of the United
States, in their arbitrary exclusion Of
Southern Representatives from the councils
Of the country. Their abject tools in this
State have exhibited their craven obedience
to the dictates Of their revolutionary supe-
riors, by attempting to disfranchise eight
| tenths Of the free white men Of the State.
It was a violent and illegal attempt to do
the same thing in Louisiana, that produced
the late disturbances at New Orleans This
oligarchic, despotic spirit Pervades the en-
tire Radical organization; and it was as
! sumed humility or strained pOliteness that
| caused Mr.. STEVENS to crave the indulgence
Of the House, while, as a stroke of policy he
proclaimed his contempt of the people,
calling it "egotism." His language should
have been: Il and you, and the Radical par
ty throughout the country, as we all know,
contemn and despise and spit upon the
opinions and judgment Of the people of the
country"
1t was but yesterday that the exponent Of
radicalism in this city and its organ in the
State, referring 10 the result Of the election
in Kentucky on Monday, in which the peO-
pie acted with surprising unanimity, said
that the minority must bow tIeir heads in
submission "unless the nation brings them de-
liuerance" The people may express their
opinions and wishes by majorities Of thirty
or forty, fifty or sixty thousand" yet to silence
their voice, and deprive them Of the right
to choose the Clerk of Court, the "nation"
must be invoked to defeat the popular will,
and place the power and liberties of .he
people in the hands Of a lean minority
How shall such "deliverance" Of the PeO-
! pie from freedom to despotism and slavery
be ehected2 In two ways, it is answered.
First, deprive the people of the ballot; and
if this fails,-Seoond, send bayonets, over
throw the established popular authority, and
set up the automaton images of Radical alb
solutism in the States. How long would
the late Kentucky election stand, if THAD.
STEVENS we're President? Who would be in
stalled into Office? How long would Nashville,
even, have city government Of her own?
! 1t requires no prophet to foreteli that sparks
will continue to fly upward, or that the wa
tiers will continue to run downward-neither,
with past experience, is it more difficult to
prognosticate the result Of complete Radical
supremacy. Herein lies the great dangers
Of our country. Herein are engendered the
elements that breed strife, contention, viO-
lence; and that, if unsubdued, must destroy
the vital principles Of republican institu-
tions, if not the very name and form Of
| them.
And this is the real question at issue be-
the President and Congress-, and their re-
spective adherents and friends. There
should be no ground for Misrepresentation.
The President espouses the cause Of popular
liberty, as defined and regulated by the Con-
stitution and laws. The Radicals oppose
him and spurn and contemn the people as
well as their rights under the Con-
Etitution and laws. Who can hesitate be-
! t,vaon fhnnn ?