Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-11-08
THE LEGISLATURE.
MESSAGE OF GOV. HRowNLow.


read, however, informally aud for iniorma
ton in the House Of Representative, which
we lay before our readers, and is as follows
Gentleulea Of The Senate and House Of Repre
senlafipes: IL public affairs, both State anC
National, were not unsettled and disturbed
| might not, upon your re-assembling under
your own resolution, deem it my duty for
mally to address you any communication
But the rapid succession ofimpOrtant events
constantly affecting the public interest, de-
mand, in my Judgment, that / should re-
commend % YOUR consideration such mea-
sures as Judge expedient.
The wear now rapidly drawing 10 a close.
may be said TO be in the main a year OF
peace and plenty. For, while few evil
disposed aud turbulent politicians have
sought TO disturb the repose Of the people,
and a few riots and crimes have disgraced
certain localities, the great body OF the peO-
pie have quietly pursued their peaceful avo-
cations.
Abundant crops have rewarded the labor
ofthe husbandman, and the general business
Of the country has greatly improyed--so
much so that the people appear to be rapid
~ approaching that degree Of prosperity
which blessed them in former years.
For these blessings, already realized and
in prospect, we should return thanks TO an
oyerruling Providence.
At your extra session in July last in the
face Of the direct opposition Of the Federal
Administration, and in defiance Of its power
and patronage, you ratified the pending
amendment 10 the Federal Constitution.
The loyal people Of the nation have APPROX
ed the wisdom and applauded the fearless
ness Of Your course; and the Congress Of the
United States signifed their appreciation by
at once admitting TO their seats your chosen
representatives thus restoring TO our State
all the rights and relations that had been
lost or disturbed by the rebellion of our peo-
pie. True, you have been abused and de-
nounced by the President and his present
followers, while those who endeayored by
revolutionary acts TO destroy your organiza-
tion have been honored and rewarded yet,
you have enjoyed the appreciation Of your
own conscience, and received the plaudits Of
the patriotic Of the nation, and may well go
on in the even tenor Of your way, guided
alone by a sense Of duty.
Having in this distinguished manner az
fixed the seal Of your appreciation 10 this
amendment, IL is proper that yQu should
mould your Legislation to its spirit and de-
sign
While il Is true that this amendment
leaves with the States a. heretofore, the
reNIlation of the elective franchise, it is
equally true that it encourages the enfran-
chisement of all loyal male citizens Of what
ever color Our own Stale, for instance,
under the operations Of the amendment,
without the acknowledgements Of the colored
citizens, will have but six representatives,
while, with impartial loyal suffrage, it is es-
timed that she would have nine, thus in
creasing her power in the councils Of the ma
ton fifty per cent.
In nv message addressed to you in Octo-
Der, 1866, the subject Of coIored suffrage is
discussed in all Of its bearings. Upon a
careful review Of the paper, ] still approve
the sentiments therein expressed, aud re
specially refer you 10 them.
An eventful year, however has passed
since il was written; and while unforeseen
events have happened, contingencies there
in contemplated have also occurred.
The colored race have shown a greater
aptitude for learning and intelligence than
was expected, and by their good conduct
and sieadiast loyalty have rapidly won upon
the good opinion and respect Of the white
race while the late rebels, under the en-
enlargement Of the President, have shown
less disposition 10 return totrue loyalty than
was hoped for
These manifestations have occasioncd
rapid advancemeut of the national senti-
ment in favor of impartial suffrage.
In the message to which have alluded,
while candidly admitting that negro voting
cannot suit my natural prejudices Of caste"
Il is vet stated that there is a class OF them
| would be willing TO see vote ct once" The
opinion is also expressed that negro suf-
frage IL bound TO follow as one Of the great
results Of the rebellion and that the time
would come when it would be proper and
right but that the time had not yet come,
the great objection being TO .the immediate
and indiscriminate enfranchisement of the
negroes :" but il is directly insisted in the
message % which | refer, that 'if rebels are
10 be restored 20 the rights of the elective
franchise, let us no longer deny those polit-
ical rights to the late slaves who have been
faithful among the faithless" | still adhere
TO the opinion that call this great cutlery
against negro voting in any contingency,
comes from a lingering sentiment OF dis
loyalty in the South"
In all the States lately in rebellion, except
Tennessee, the rebels have been fully re
stored to the rights Of the elective franchise
and even in our own State, under some
Whit EAIlNkfllA nNAAAsiAN AF-h'f a Af'a -
Of disloyal persons are unavoidably allowed
20 vote.
Whether the time has come when It -
"proper and right to confer the ballot upon
the colored man, or whether that time Is
approaching at which that sacred right shall
accrue 20 him, are questions demanding
vonr earnest consideration and final decision.
The admirers and followers Of the Presl-
dent cannot, with any show Of consistency,
oppose the eniranchisement Of the negro.
In an authorized and approved statement
of his opinions, made public by his direc-
ton, long since his accession 10 the Presi-
dency, he declares that il he were sin Ten
nessee he would endeavor 70 introduce negro
suffrage" lie declares that he would begin
with three classes of negroes to be admitted
10 vote at once, Those who had served IN
the army; those who could read and write;
aud those having property qualification Of
$500 or $3.50
Thus. by a system, not very gradual he
desired 20 extend the privilege to the entire
race.
II what is termed the Radical party in the
Legislature shall agree with the President
and his followers on the negro suffrage, il
would seem that an excellent opportunity
for agreement and Cancellation ON vexed
NnNSAlNN VIII tH ~ N'NAAAf stAAA AAAtAA ttAN w
gro may be eniranchised with unanimity.
As for myself. while / have confessed TO
those preiudices Of caste, resulting from ed
ucation and lifelong habits, | am free TO say
that desire 10 act in harmony with the
great body Of the loyal people of the Union.
I think we should not, without great and
controlling reasons, sever ourselves from that
great national party whose wisdom and
courage saved the life Of the nation, and res
cued the loyal people of Tennessee from the
hands Of the opprossor.
The franchise law, passed on the 81 of
MAY last, Is not yet fully in operation. Re
pisiers have been appointed in all Of the
COUNTIES of the State, but many Of them
have not completed their labors and made
their reports.
As fast as they have done SO, | have or
dered elections in compliance with the pro-
visions of the law.
am happy TO state that the Registers have
been generally faithful and firm in the dis
charge Of their important duty.
Except in the city Of Nashville, the late
suecial elections seem 20 have been held sub
stantiallv in accordance with the Law.
In this city, ! am informed that but lew
or the Judges and clerks Of the municipal
election. and the successful candidates Tor the
municipal Offices complied with the law by