Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-11

would then be the interests of Memphis, her
merchan Is and lawyers, if Poston and Walk
| er had given their sanction to this measure?
Mr.. Poston then briefly explained the con-
I nection between the bill making the negro a
competent witness, the Bank of Tennessee
! bill. the franchise bill, and the bill TO En-
| franchise the negro, recently introduced, and
showed their bearing as the programme of
| the Radicals in and out Of Tennessee. Is
in favor of the franchise bill under the old
lConstitution with this exception, that those
who haveie eieopardized tkeircitizenship should
renew their allegiance to the flag and the
Constitution. In conclusion, the speaker
recited the letter of Lieut.. Gen. Cheatham,
and endorsed it heartily, exhorting his hear
ers to forget what has passed, and like the IL
lustrious soldier who fought for the Union
and the State, to remain here and abide the
issues of the day. He was not candidate,
and would not be, and felt that in serving
them as he had, he did all that could be
done under the circumstances. Upon the
conclusion of his eloquent and well timed
remarks, Mr.. Poston was warmly greeted by
those present.
On motion of Mr.. Lohand, Messrs. Lof-
land, Becktel Butler, Keating and Wend-
laudt, were committee appointed to draft
resolutions expressive of the sense of the
services of the gentlemen who had addressed
them. The committee retired, and after
brief absence, returned and reported the fol-
lowing, which were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, We the people of the County
of Shelby, having assembled for the purpose
of taking into consideration the course pur-
sued by our Representatives in the Legisla-
ture, Samuel z. Walker and W. X. Poston
by which they, with others, prevented the
Radical majority, in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, from passing "a bill, without
amendment or debate, to amend the present
franchise law" passed June 5th, 1865, ''the
object of which is to limit and lessen the
number of qualified voters, as ascertained by
that law, and to lodge the control of this
most important political power in the hands
of the Governor" And
WHEREAS, We firmly believe no greater
act of injustice could have been perpetrated
upon the people of Tennessee, by the Legis-
lature, than the passage Of this franchise
bill, the unconstitutionality of which, with
its inequality to the different divisions ofthe
State an other unsurmountable objections to
it, are fully set forth, in an address to the
people of Tennessee" by twenty conserva-
tive members of the House of Representa-
tives, among whom are our immediate Re-
representatives., Walker ard Poston. There
fore, be it sA 4
ReSotued, That we endorse and sustain the
Hon. Samuel 2. Walker and Hon. VIM. K.
Poston, in the course they pursued, to defeat
the passage by the House of Representatives
of the franchise bill. That while we regret
that other measures of importance are held
in allegiance, or defeated by their action, yet
we say to them, "WeIl done good and faith
ful servants" And with them we say, that |
all other legislation of public or private
character, must abide its time rather than |
pass this bill, "which, by its provisions,
overthrowed the republican form of our Gov |
and destroyed the Constitution,
broke the faith of the General Government,
and made merchandise of the liberties of the |
people.
Resolrod, That as Messrs. Walker and |
Poston were compelled either to resign their |
seats in the House of Representatives, or by |
them, permit the franchise bill to |
become a law; and as they most honorably |
and patriotically chose the former alterna-
tive, we hereby declare, that we have none |
more capable or trustworthy to represent us |
in the Legislature, and that we hereby nom
mate the Hon. Samuel p. Walker and the |
Hon. w. K Poston, as candidates to repre-
sent us in the House of Representatives of
Our State Legislature.
Res0LUed, That we approve and indorse
the course of our worthy and able Senator
the Hon. j. W. Smith, who has by his legis-
lative course displayed an ability, zeal and
energy in promoting and protecting our in
terests and our liberties, and that we repose
confidence in his integrity, ability and pa
triotism.
ReSolucd, That we hereby reaffirm the pre-
amble and resolutions passed by the Con-
servatiye Convention at Nashville on the
22d of February last, indorsing the policy
Of our most worthy and patriotic fellow-citi-
zen, President Andrew johnson, and we ex-
pressly indorse the recent veto message, and
his speech delivered to the people of Wash
ington City.
Mr.. Poston, in conclusion, addressed the
meeting and accepted the nomination so
handsomely extended him Mr.. Walker
and also accepted the nomination
extended him. And
On motion, the meeting adjourned.