Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-17
To LIZ PEoPLE oF rENNrssEE-

] Our deep interest in the present unsettled
] political condition Of the country prompts
US, portion Of your duly elected Senators
! and Representatives to the Congress of the
/ United States, to invite your especial atten-
/ ton the call that has been made for INA
/ tional Union Convention" to assemble in
I the city Of Philadelphia on the l4th dav of
/ August next.
Since the first Monday Of December last.
we have watched with intense solicitude.
the progress of political events In Washing
ton, and have witnessed, with profound re-
greet, the opposition made by the majority in
Congress to the wise and benefcent policy
Of restoration recommended by the Presi-
dent Of the United States.
Believing, as we most sincerely do,
that under that policy the union of the
States would be preserved, the integrity of
the Constitution maintained, and the inesti-
mable right Of the people Of each State to
representation in Congress distinctly recog-
nized, we feel that the occasion demands
such convention, having in view the CONSOLE
dation of all who are opposed to extremists,
as well at the North as at the South, and
who, ignoring all past political differences,
are willing to unite in opposition to the sec
tional action of Congress, and in favor Of the
speedy restoration of all the States to their
practical relations with the National Gov
eminent.
Deeply impressed with the importance of
this common object, and cordially approx
ing the political truths embodied in the call,
We earnestly appeal to you to take such
measures as will insure your representation
in the Convention.
In making your appointments we cannot
Of selecting your best representative men
such as viii reflect credit upon your choice,
and who do, in good faith, Loyalty accept the
national situation cordially endorse the
patriotic principles set forth in the call; and
are attached in true allegiance to the Consti-
tuition of the United States, the Union of
the States under it, and the Government
established by it.
The people Of the State Of Tennessee have
a peculiar interest in the objects for which
the Convention is called. Seven months
have nov elapsed since the assembling of
the Thirty-ninth Congress, and they are yet
denied tie constitutional right Of represent
alton.
The admission of your Senator'S and Rep
resentatives, with no other conditions than
those prescribed by the Constitution and the
laws, has been repeatedly, but vainly, urged
by the President and prOtracted session is
about to terminate without even the priyi-
lege of being heard having been accorded
10 your Representatives, duly elected and
Acknowledged to possess the legal qualifca-
tons.
In addition, you are now called upon by
the majority in Congress and his Excellency
the Governor to sanction an amendment to
the Federal Constitution, which, if ratified /
by the States, will deprive you Of your re-
cognized political power, and lessen the num-
Der of your Representatives in the National
Legislature, unless you shall, at their bid
ding, clothe the negro with the right of suf-
frage.
This we are unwilling to do under any cir
cumstances.
We are assured that you will not sustain
n party which would thus attempt further to
humiliate our noble State, and endeavor to
throw a clond over the patriotism of An
DREW JOHNSON, and that you will frOwn
upon men who will subvert the Constitution
Of our fathers for mere partisan purposes,
and that you will cheerfully cooperate in
movement whose only object is the preser
walton Of the rights, the dignity, the equali-
ty, and the Union of the States.
Very respectfully,
DAVID T. PATTERSON,
WILLIAM B. CAMPBELL,
n. G. TAYLOR,
JOHN w: LEFTwICH,
DORSEY B. THOMAS,
EDMUND COOPER.