The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-02-27

vi all the heaven descended virtues, tnal
elevate and enoble human nature, the high.
est, the subIimest, and the diyinest is chsri.
ty. By all means, then, fail not to exercise
and cultivate this soul-regenersting element
of fallen nature. Let it be cultivated and
exercised not only amongst ourselves and
towards ourselves, on all questions Of motive
or conduct touching the late war, but to-
wards all mankind. Even towards our enc
mics, if we have any, let the aspirations Of
our hearts be, "Father forgive them; they
know not what they do" The exercise OF
patience, forbearance and charity, therefore,
are the three FIRST duties / would at this time
enjoin-and of these three, ''the greatest is
charity"
But to proceed. Another one Of our pres
ent duties is this; we should accept the is
sues sf the war, and abide by them in gooa
faith. This, l feel fully persuaded, 1t is
your purpose to do, as well as that OF your
constituents. The people Of Georgia have
in Convention revoked and annulled her
ordinance of 1851, which was intended to
sever her from the compact of the Union OF
1887. The Constitution Of the United States
has been re-ordained as the orgsnie law of
our land. Whatever differences Of opinion
heretofore existed as TO where our allegiance
was due, during the late state of things,
none for any practical purpose can exist now.
Whether Georgia, by the action of her con-
vention Of 1861, was ever rightfully out ol
the Union or not, there can be no question
that she is now in, so far as depends on her
will and deed. The whole United States,
therefore, is now without question ourcoun-
try, to be cherished and defended as such,
by all our hearts and by all our arms.
The Constitution of the United States,
and the treaties and laws made in pursuance
thereof, are now acknowledged to be the par
amount law il this whole country. Whoever,
therefore is true to these principles as was
recognized, lis loyal Jas far as that term has
any legitimate use or force under our insti-
tuition. This is the Only kind ofloyalty the
Constitution itself requires. In any other
view, everything pertaining to restoration,
so far as regards the great bodyE Of the
people in at least eleven states of the Union,
IS but making promise to the ear to be
broken to the hopes. All, therefore, who
accept the issue of the war in good faith,
and come up to the test required by the
Constitution, are now loyal, however they
may have heretofore been.
But with this change comes q new order
of things. One of the results of war is a to-
tai change in our whole internal polity
Our former social fabric has been entirely
subverted. Like those convulsions in ma
ture which break up old incrustations, the
war has wrought new epoch in our politi-
cal existence. Old things have passed
away, and all things among US in this re-
spect are new. The relation heretofore
under our old system, existing between the
African and European races, no longer ex-
lists. Slavery, as 1t was called, or the status
of the black race, their subordination to the
white, upon which all our institutions rest
| ed, is abolished forever, not only in Georgia
but throughout the limits Of the United
States. This change shonld be received sane
accepted as an irreVocable fact. II is 6
bootless question now to discuss, whether
the new system is better for both races thar
the old one was or not. That may be pf5p
er matter for the philosophic and philin
thropic historian, at some future time tc
| inquire into after the new system shall have
been fully and fairly tried.
All changes Of systems or proposed re
| forms, are but experiments and problems Il
| be solved. Our system of self-goVernman
was an experiment at first. Perhaps as I
| problem, is not yet solved. Our pres an
| duty on this subject is not with the past o
| the future. It is with the present. 1'h
wisest and the best often err, in their ju,lg
1nents as to the probable workings of an
new system. Let US therefore give thi
one q fair and just trial, without prejudice
| and with that earnestness of purpose
which always looks hopefully to success.
ia an chronological problem on the solution
| Of which depends, not only the best inter
ests OF both races, but it may be, the ex st
ence Of one or the other, if not both.
This duty of giving this new system
| fBir and Just trial, will require of YOU. a
| Legislators of the land, great changes il
our former laws in regard to this la'g'
class OF population. Wise and humane PRO
| visions should be made for them. 1t is no
for me to 90 into detail. Suffice it to say OF
this occasion, that ample and full protection
| should be secured to them, so that the.
NAV stand equal before the law in the POS
session and enjoyment of all the rights c
person, liberty and property. Many con
sderations claim this at your handil.-
Among these may be stated their hdelit,
in times past. They cultivated you
fields; ministered 20 yOnr wantr an
comforts nursed and reared you
children; and even in the hour c
danger and peril, they were in the main
true TO You and yours. To them we owe
debt of gratitude, as we'll as acts of kind
ness. This should also be done beeaus
they are poor, untutored, uninformed min
of them helpless, liable to be imposed up
on, and need it. Legislation should eve
look to the protection Of the weak aga Ms
the strong. Whatever may be said of tn
equality Of races, or their natural capacit
to become equal, no one can doubt tina! &
the time, this race among US, is not equfl
the Caucasian. This inequality does NJ
lessen the moral obligations on the part {
the superior to the inferior, it rather in
creases them. From him who has mrlci
more is required than from him who has III
tie. The present generation of them, it.
true, is far above their savage progenitol
who were at first introduced into this cour
try, in general intelligence, virtue, an
moral culture. This shows capacity for IN
, provement. But in all the higher chal
acteristics Of mental development, they al
still very far below the European typ,
! What further advancement they may max
, or TO what standard they may attain, undt
a different system Of laws every way suit'
/ BILE and wisely applicable to their change
condition, time alone can disclose. / spea
Of them as we now know them 70 be, hayln
q no longer the protection Of master, or Il
gal guardian; they now need all the pr
lection which the shield Of the law can CIV
! But above all, this protection should
. secured because it is right and just IT shou
{ be, upon general principles. All govern
! ments in their organic structure, as well
I
: leading object in view; the good of the go
a erned. Protection and security to all und
its jurisdiction, should be the chief end
= every government. It is a melanchol
n truth, that while this should be the chi
II end Of all governments, most of them
q used only as instruments Of power; for u
!. agrandisement of the few, at the expense
n and by the oppression Of the many. SUI
d are not our ideas of government, never ha'
l. been, and never should be. Government
E according toour ideas, should look 10 the go'
i Of the whole, and not a part only. "Tl
st greatest good to the greatest number" IS
10 favorits dogma with some. Some 50 d
? Tended our old system. But YOU know th
AZ was never my doctrine. The greatest GO
IL to all, without detriment or injury 20 an
NJ is the true rule. Those governments on
D are founded upon correct principles, of re
of son and justice, which look to the create
- attsinable advancement, improvement 81
In progress, physically, intellectually and mo
/, allv, Of all classes and conditions, with
~ their rightful jurisdiction. If our old sy
Z, tenn was not the best, or could not have be
: made the best, for both races, in this respe
a and upon this basis, it ought to have be
a sbolished. This was my view of th
:, svstem while it lasted, and / rep,
10 Il now that it is no more. In leg
Of ] latiOu therefore unQef lhc new system,
= sbould look to the best interest Of all class
"a their protection, security, advancement a
ss Improvement, physically, intellectual
N and morally. All obstacles, if there be al
II sbouId be removed, which can possibly h
= der or retard the improvement Of the blaS
! u The extent Of their capacity. All prOl
- sid should be given 70 Their own effol
= | Channels of education should be opened
10 them. Schools and the usual means
y moral and intellectual training should
~ encouraged amongst them. This is the
20 tste moi only Of what is right and prop
~ and inst in itself, but il is also the prom
l. ines Of the highest consideration OF int
~ esf, Its difficult 10 conceive greater .
~ or curse, that could befsl our count
=. stricken and distressed ssst now is, than
ar 50 large a portion Of its PopulstiOn, IS t
nj class viii quite proDaoly 0ohstithie anon
M hereafter, to be reared in ignorance,
+ orsvitv and vice. Ia flew Of such a 81
80 "a things, well might the prudent even I
at look to its abandonment. Lei Us not, a.
of sver. indulge in such thoughts Of the
-cn ture. Nor let US, without an Effort say
MS system cannot be worked. Les US not, sta
est ing still, hesitatingly ask, "Can there
to good thing come cut OF NszSssta = ea'