Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-11
THE LEGISLATURE.

The Radicals of the Tennessee Legisla-
ture seem inclined to follow the examples set
by Sumner and Stevens in the United States
Congress. This is, perhaps, natural. Man
is creature of imitation, and he generally
copies that object which is uppermost in his
mind at the moment. When the Constitu-
ton and laws of the Union are endeavoring
to assert their vitality and supremacy
throughout the country, a Congressional Di-
rectory rises up 10 delay and obstruct their
operation. So it is in Tennessee. These
followers into the unknown realms Of Radi-
calism seem bent uIon carrying out the re-
evolutionary programme in this State The
oiigarchy which asserted the supremacy Of
the agents of the people over the people
themselves, have returned TO carry forward
their designs, and to humble the freemen of
Tennessee, on Bonded knees at the foot Of
power. To accomplish this violation oflaw
and the principles OF republican institutions,
these new-raised dictatorsare ready to usurp
authority, and strike down the rights of the
people, however dear or sacred.
By lac the Legislature has nc right to
proceed with any business without the pres
ence and votes Of ffty-six members of the
House. On Monday, there were forty-eight
members present in that body, who, under
the malign influence Of person more dis
tinguished for duplicity and low cunning
than boldness and fair dealing, undertook
to execute their purposes by proceeding for
mally to consider Of the right of twenty or
thirty counties 10 say who should be their
representatives. Some of the reporters of
our city papers stated in their appropriate
columns, that this design was consummated
by a reference of the credentials of the
newly elected members to the Committee on
Elections. The fact was, that the House
had no right TO do any business of any sort
until there were present, sworn in and
voting, fifty-six of the peoples representa-
tiyes. The Speaker, who is gentleman of
sense as well as Of patriotism, did not enter
tain the motion, and the reporters of the
press were simply mistaken as to the fact of
reference.
Yesterday morning, the committee pro-
posed to report-favorably doubtless on
sufficient number to carry their point-but
the Speaker declined to allow the subject to
be brought thus alIthoritatively before the
House. Instead of this, he proposed to
obey the law by swearing in the members
whom the people had sent to represent them,
and who presented their certificates of cleo
ton given and signed by the only officer
authorized by law TO do so. This was pre-
vented by an adjournment at the instance
man by the name OF ARNELL. We believe
he is from the county of Maury, and in war
times run lanyard for the benefit of the
so-called Southern Confederacy-was elect
ed to the Legislature by general ticket,
but failed to receive single vote in his own
civil district. We are informed also, that
this same person was voted for in August
1865 by few persons for Congress, and
claims seat in that body, at The close Of the
IDdr.
Thus the matter stands this morning.
Nobody is sworn in, and there is no constitu- |
ional quorum. What will be done to-day, |
Or on any day hereafter, it is difficult to
There is only one thing certain, and that |
is, the law of the land based on the rights of |
the people, requires that the representatives
elect, who come to the Capitol bearing the |
proper credentials, shall be admitted to |
their seats. This cannot be got over in any |
other way than by revolutionary usurpa-
ion. If there is anything done to prevent |
his plain provision of law from having its
'ull force and power, that thing, whatever it
Is, will he n violent and unwarranted out
age upon the established laws, and an inva-
lion of popular liberty in the State of Ten
lessee.
We shall tell the free readers of this
paper tomorrow, what their would-be OPP
pressors may do to-day.