Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-03
The Union and the Constitution One
and Inseparabie.
THE PRESIDENT SUSTAINED AT
HOME.
His Policy the True Road TO Peace
Speech Of Hon. Edmund Cooper,
at Shelbyville.


the Hon. EDMUND COOPER, their Represen-
tative elect to the Federal Congress, on the
great questions Of the day, he consented to
address them. Having spent several months
at Washington, during which he was enabled
to arrive at correct conclusions, and being
one Of the most able Of Tennessee's many
gifted sons, and at the same time
one of the most devoted adherents of the
Union throughout our late troubles his
conclusions were looked to with unusual in
terest. We, therefore, dispat ched special
reporter for the occasion, and have the
pleasure of laying before our readers this
morning a full report of the speech, which
was listened to by deeply interested au-
dience, who manifested the highest satisfac-
ton during its delivery. 1t is most able,
comprehensive and conclusive; and while
we commend its careful perusal to our
many readers, we trust it will be republished
until it shall be read in every household in
the State. At the appointed hour, Mr..
Cooper rose, and manifestly impressed with
the profound import of his subject, said:
FELLOW CITIZENS: appear before you to day
at the request of many Of my personal and pollt-
ical friends.
If | had consulted my own views. | would have
declined their invitation. Ny object, trust. will
prove TO be cOmmendable one. L ask you to
give me n patient hearing.
The views which / will present to you. for
your consideration, upon men and measures, are
the result of deliberatiOn and reflection.
| have no motive to subserve except the good
Of our common country. It's destiny is indissOlu-
bly, connected with our individual prosperity and
happiness, and the great question interesting
particularly 10 the States lately in rebellion is ::
What shall we do to be saved2
Now, propose TO speak plainly, but not abus-
lively. ] shall address your reason, not arouse
your passions: | shall appeal TO your judgments,
and not TO yonr syInpathies or emotions.
/ feel fully conscious of the difficult task L
have undertaken: | well know, that in the pres
ent excited condition of che public mind in Ten
nessee 1t will be almost impossible to crafty ar
audience, unless l cater to the taste of one side
or the other of the great antagonisms arrayed in
political hostility TO each other. Now, under
stand me in the outset; do not wish to widen
this breach if / could. would heal it. We are
at present pOwerless, politically, in the councils
Of the nation, and it therefore behooves us,
whilst adhering firmly and earnestly to our own
convictions of right, to do act that will cause
those in power to distrust our motives or miscon-
strue our actions.
nestly desire to be restored 10 our full political
relations with the United States, and for this
purpose. full and complete obedience to the
Constitution of the United States, and the Con
stitutiou of the State of Tennessee. and all laws
passed in pursuance of them, so long a not re-
vOked or repealed. or not declared void by the
courts, should be given.
Therefore, we should use all honorable means,
such as do not require an abandonment OF prln-
siple, 10 reconcile the warning and conflicting
elements of political strife IN our State-and as
{, 10 ia. hon q, haat Iga
Let me say to YOU in all candOr, that the diff
culties in Tennessee, which have caused so much
excitement are not "tempests in tea pot. com
pared to the great Earthquake" that i shaking
the firm foundations of political power in Wash
ington.
And We viii all have to act together. to avert
a political calamity which will prove more di-
srstrous to the Government, than all of the re
suits Of the terrible and wicked war, through
which the country has so recently and gloriously
passed.
Hence, if had been member of the Legisa-
ture | would not have reSigned-I would have
voted all the time against the proposed franchise
bill-yet II the majority having the power deter,
mined to pass i'll would have acquiesced, and
appealed to the people for the proper remedy.
Yet, II is also due to you, that / should
say, that l would not consider the reslg-
nation of any member-an objectionable pOhtl-
cal Offense. which should induce men TO vote for
his cOmpetitor-if that competitor occupied
ground fayoring the passage OF the Franchise
bill.
In our own county, in the recent election. be-
lieying the statements of the Hon. M. L. W. Duna-
way 10 be true, / could not discover the legal
grounds upon which His EXcellency Governor
BrownlOw ordered an eection-thereupOn, ar
gued and urged that the easiest solution OF the
difficulty was fcI tie people, even without MI
Runaway being car dldate to vote for him
good men thought differently. have no accuse
ton TO bring against them for so doing.
For Col. Galbraith have always felt high re-
gard, and cuncede to him, courage and honesty
If the Legislature shall declare him entitled to
the position of Representative from Bedford,
hope that the same qualities Of head and heart.
that characterized him a soldier, will add adj
ditiOnal lustre to his course rs a Legislator.
SO much for social and State politics.
/ have higher and broader field OF ope-
ratiOns-and ask you to follow me, whilst eX-
plore and explain them.
THE GREAT QUESTION.
Since the termination Of the late war. ques-
ton has been raised of q most dangerous charac-
ter, and pregnant with mOmcntOus consequences
10 the future destiny Of this Republic. What IS
the condition of the States lately in rebellion?
Arc they dead. or do they yet live? If living what
rights, privileges and immunities, have their cit-
zens, under the Constitution of the United States!
If dead, what consequences flow from their being
in that condition?
On the one side it is argued that the States, the
people of which have been at with the au-
thorities of the Federal Government, have ire
voeably severed their constitutional connection
with the other States and have fallen into the con
ditiOn Of subjughted Provinces, subject to the
will and control of the aw-making power OF tue
United States. On the other side 1t Is argued
that the States of the Union, are lndlstrucu9le
under the Constitution, and cannot be affected by
the conduct of their citizens, that as political or
ganEatiOn, they can commit no crime; ana thAt
the people alone in their individual capacity can
be guilty of crimes, and for W hich they must or
can be either punished or pardOned 80
These propositions have excited and are stlli
exciting widespread interest, and threaten serl-
ously If not to postpone indefinitely, the settle
ment of our political difficulties;
The one proposition Is the scheme OF the ma
iaritN in Congress-
The other is the policy of the President.
The one is predieated on the idea that by the
war and its consequences all of the States declar-
cd in rebelion. together with all of their citizens
and inhabitants, became alien enemics-and as
such. can be treated according to the whlm, ca
price, OF wisdom of the law-making power OF the
United States-without any regard to the coast-
tutional relationships existing between the par
ties before the war. And that under and by vir-
tue of this event-the toyai citizens OF the states
thus treated, must share in all the guar OF the
dislOyal. That II Is - misfortune IN the t0ydt TO
have thus been situated-yet, bellgerent lazy, so
enacts-and its nat. like the laws OF the Modes
and Persians Is supreme and Interchangeable.
The other Is founded on the higher and l0itier
principles of justice and right. 1t holds no one
guilty except the offender. IL winnows the wheat
from the chat. Ii commends the faithful. 1t pro-
tcets the innocent. 1t rewards the deserving.
Whilst il Furnishes those who deserve punishment,
or pardons them--it says to the true and loyal
well done good and faithful servant"
Under its practical teachings r safe, wise, and
speedy solution of the difficulty is provded-sillke
prudent and efficient. BY Il, the political power
of the State-nOw the war is over, Is left IN. he
hands of the loyal citzens-those who have been
the constitutionally loyal from the beginning. and
those who in good faith, have awaited themselves
of the amnesty and pardon of the President, and
are honestly endeayOring 10 regulate Their con,
duct by the requirements of the Constitution ana
the laws of the land.
Rapidly AS if by the wand of enchantment,
beautiful and stable ediiices of political toyern-
ment have been, under the wise and practical OPP
erations Of this just policy-to which Andrew
johnson as President of the United States has ex-
erted his great and states
manship-created and put into successful opera
ton in all of the States-So recently IN rebellion
and insurTcction-and into the hands OF theGo
ernors so chOsea by their own people, and the
Legislatures 80 elected, and the Judges, the con
troll. management, and execution OF the laws oil
each State. so far as they apply to their own do
nestle governments, have been by the President
fully and generously committed. No Military
Governor now controls their destiny, or exercises
unbridled authority over them. Thcy-the peo-
pie have the power all in their own hands. With
them and the officers Of their own choosing, Is the
administration of all of their home ahalTS-and
tor one, | thank God that il is SO. Peace and
obedience 20 law, pervades the whole land
Where brief twelve months ago. the battle
ragged and war with all Of its horrors and deNaSta-
ton prevailed. quiet and good order reigns SUI
preme. The temples of Justice are open the
marts OF commerce are throngsd; the school houses
tllei by eager and earnest students the tenn
pies Of the living God are vocal with praises 70
Him from whom all blessings dew. Surely, a
policy that has wrought such miracles IN lew
brief months must be right, and should commend
itselftO all true patriots, and command the
warmeSt support Of all who love their country
above the mere hope OF party triumph, or OF per
sonal gain.
Yet. strange as il may seem. notwithstanding
these overwhelming evidences of the benlhccnt
results of the policy adopted BY tho President.
there are those, who oppose II; large, strong
and powerful party organized and aggressive, with
complete control Of the Congress of the United