The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-02-14

restore peace huu AhIFilear 70 the country
BY the adoption of a policy towards the
hitherto ipsurrectionary States, which we
consider just, wise, expedient and Deces-
sary.
And. in as much as his said policy is
meeting with opposition in various parts Of
the country, and whereas, what we consider
10 be unjust and us statements have
gone abroad in regard to pubic sentiment
in Tennessee, and especially erroneous as 10
the wishes Of a HusjOrity OF the loyal people
therein, we q portion OF the loyal people of
Tennessee have seen proper 10 assemble in
Mass Meeting Tor the purpose Of publicly
expressing our views in regard 10 public
affairs; 10 the end that the President and
his supporters in Congress, as well as loyal
men every where, may know our opinions
Of his policy, and our views as to the true
condition Of affairs in Tennessee.
We hold that It is impossible for any State
Of the Union TO commit political suicide;
that the moment a State Is admitted, as a
member ofthe Union, she thereby surTen.
ders 10 the FEDERAL Government the right 10
govern and CONTROLS citizens in every thing
calculated 10 prevent said State from with
drawing, or attempting 10 withdraw. its al
legianee, or the allegiance Of its citizens,
from the Federal Government Of the Union.
We hold Hkewi-e, that neither the Chief
Executive Of the United States, the Con
gress, nor any agent OF the Government
whstever, nave either singly or combined,
any legal power 20 declare a State out Of the
Union, and thereby assume to govern such
State as a Territory or conque ed province
BELONGING 10 the General Government.
Holding these truths to be self-evideut,
we declare that the pretended secession or
withdrawal Of the State Of Tennessee from
the Federal Government Of the Union in
the year 1851, was illegal, unconstitutional
and absolutely void from the beginning;
and that the Federal Government Of the
Union but performed its sacred duty under
the constitution, in forcing the people
Of Tennessee TO yield obedience to
its laws. Strongly impressed as We
are, with this belief, we sre in like man
ner certain that the passage Of any
law, by the Congress Of the United States,
declaring the State Of Tennessee out Of the
Union, or which denies 10 the people OF our
State equal rights az 10 representation in
that body, wound be unjust, unwise, inexpe-
dent, and in our humble opinion, absolutely
unconstitutional. And it is in this light
that We are obliged 70 consider the hitherto
refusal Of Congress TO admit the Tennessee
delegation, elect 10 that body. For although
not certain as 80 whether the Congress OF
the United States had the Constitutional
power 10 impose any Congressional 'test
OATH" we were nevertheless careful to see
that no member was elected TO That
body from our State, who could not con
scientiously take any oath which had been
prescribed, that looked 10 the loyalty Of the
members asking admission.
And, here we dare TO assert, that there is
not a single member Of the present Con
rress Of the United States. who could more
readily or more truthfuily subscribe to M
present Congressional test oath, than could
the Senators and Representatives elect from
Tennessee.
This being so, we are at 8 loss to conceive
By what authority, or even pretended au-
thority the Congress Of the United States
continues 10 delay the admission of our
members elect. With but one single excep-
ton, every member from Tennessee who
has been, or is now in Washington, seeking
Submission, has tbs proper certificate Of his
Excellency, the Governor Of tennessee
Governor whose loyalty none can question,
and who has but recently, and in a public
manner, expressed himself in favor Of their
admission. Why it is then, that Congress
longer delays in this, to us, most important
matter, is something that We cannot under
stand; unless it IS attributable 10 what We
conceive 10 be unjust and erroneous state
ments having been sent 10 Washington aud
elsewhere; and which, in our opinion, are
exercising an unjust and improper influence
upon the minds Of the loyal people Of the
North.
To endeavor, If possible, 10 remove such
Impressions and TO induce Congress 10 do
Tennessee,-the home Of Andrew johnson
"a State now holding the bones Of Jackson,
aud which is likewise the depository, and
hence the guardian Of the remains Of hun
dreds and thousands Of those who died in
defense ofthe Union, including a large num-
Der Of the 35 1000 brave Tennesseans who
/ rushed 20 the defense, and died in the de-
Tense Of the STARRY" hsg-full and COM
/ piete Justice by the distinct and unequivo-
! cal recognition that she is one of the States
Of this Union, and by the immediate admis-
sion Of her members elect 10 that body, is
one Of the main objects Of this meeting.
Therefore,
Resolred, That we are for the Govern
ment Of the United States against all Of its
enemies, and have full confidence IN the
ability, patriotism sad integrity Of Andrew
johnson.
Resolved, That whilst we deprecate and
deplore any difference Of opinion in the
MINDS Of the loyal people in regard to the
Presidents reconstruction or restoration
policy, we are. nevertheless, constrained by
a sense Of duty 10 ourselves and posterity,
10 declare il as our irm conviction, that no
other policy could be 50 well calculated 70
restore peace, harmony and fraternsl feel
| ing 10 the country AnAI We ANAAAA AN@
policy, as adopted, as within strict accord
ance with the Constitution, and that those
who oppose his policy are al war with that
sacred instrument itself. For these reasons,
we pledge ourselves 10 sustain the President
in bis restoration policy and in order that
the ioyal people OF Tennessee msy enjoy
their rights under the Constitution, we i'm
plore the people Of the entire natioa TO sus-
tain him in like manner.
Rcs0lDcd further, That We believe that
the entire people Of Tennessee, including
those hitherto considered as disloJa al, are
now. as a mass, determined 10 maintain
quiet and go d order, and in all things
faithfully 20 obey the laws Of the United
States.
Resolved, That the enactment by the Con-
gress OF the United Ststes, OF any law i'm
posing upon the loyal people OF Tennessee
any conditions, restrictions or restraints
which do not, and which are not intended
10 applv with equal force 10 the loyal peo-
ple of every State Of the Union, would be
unjust 10 US, and in our opinion, u~nconsti
~tutisnal. In our opinion any discrimina.
ton between the loyal people Of Tennesses
and The loyal people o. any other State
would be msniiestly unjust to US ane
hence We believe that our loysl brethren
everywhere should recognize tins iac5 and
thus conform 10 the spirit OF the iunaameh'
tai law Of the land. And u the Congress
Of the United States will but ~reeoguize
loyal elector o. such, wherever found, they
wll do much towards removing the embar'
easements Of the country, and thereby M
fuse q spirit Of Cancellation N the nnel al
justnsent Of every hitherto sectional DIS
pute.
/, Resolved fsrtiT, That in our humble
~apinion, any refusal on the part Of the Con
gress Of The United States 10 admit tn
members electfrom the STATE Of Tennessee
vrould be 6 denial 10 us OF the rights 4
which we. e. loyal citizens Of the Union
are entitled uder the Constitution, an,
which as loyal citizens, we claim. We hol'
thst Ne were 10 no wise responsible for th,
rebellion. and that while we utterly repu
distad the doctrine Of estate Rights a
sdherea 10 by Jefferson Davis and othe
4, leading spirie Of the South, we neyerthe
: les. insist that each state has eertaii
: rights under the Constituuog nd tha
these rights are equal enc state wlth an
s other. And hence, We say, thal IS 4Snnes
=. see has never been cut OF the Union ~ an,
7, legal or Constitutional sense, she = nov
u and has been st all times, since her admi'
p sion as one Of the States OF said Union. 4
1895. entitled 60 be represented IN The Con
. Eress ofthe United States.
Entertaining these views, we do mo
heartily approve Of, and endorse. the prir
cipie Enumerated BY Andrew Johnson, y
p iaent 81 The Unitea Ststes, 90 the effect tn
The hitherto insurrecd0nary States Of N
Union are not % Be held a. conquered p,
vinces or IS colonial dependencies Of q
General Government but that they, uP0
their own application, will be allowed t. =
turn 70 their full, true aud legitimate reii
tons % the rnion, upon terms OF ECU
.e nshts with ell other States.
Resoirei, Garshcr, Thai; with these sent
meets animatiaS Us, We DO most coTdisll
approve Of the proposed state meeting
y be held in Nashville on the sad inst, ~
! we DO hereby instruct the delegates 70 q
eame-and hereinafter nsmcd-t0 insi
- upon the adoption Of The general principl
y enuncisted 10 fae foregoing preamble 81
resolutions
Judee cosper msvsd the adoption Of u