Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-03-13
The Great Union convention.

! From the Nashville correspondence OF the Cineln-
natl Commercial we extract the following descrip-
/ ton of the Union Republican Convention which re-
Gently assembled in Nashville, 1t is graphic but
not overrated description, and will be recognized by
all who present as truthful in all its state
ments ..s
THE RADICAL NOMINATING CONVENTION.
The Convention which assembled in this city on
the anniversary of Washington's birthday was one
of tho largest, most ORDERLY most unanimous, and
most enthusiastic that ever came together at State
capital, to nominate q candidate for Governor.
Four hundred and seventy-eght bona tide delegates
were present. Every county in Tennessee was rep
resented nearly all by delegations chosen by public
meeting5 OF Union citizens, though very few such
localities Obion, where rebel outrages made open
congregations of the faithful dangerous by author
lied proxies. The most experienced and capable
member of the party had been selected IN the sew
eral equities and moro intelligent looking or bet
ter behaved set of men never united IN making
nomination. The entire session OF the Convention
was devoted TO business, the speech making beng
deferred until night. Only two brief addresses
were raade and those during the period when the
body was awaiting the action of the Committee on
Resolutions, and had nothing to DO: Inc parla-
mentary discipline was excellent. Nc adventurous
individual with an axe grind insisted on debating
his pet resolution. 1t was noticeable that the large
cities made no effort at prominence in the proceed
ings, and that members Of the Legislature, who
were present AS delegates abstained from pressing
themselves upon committees, and from taking front
seats in the work of the day. The Convention was
emphatically Convention Of the people, u truly
reflected their opinions and recorded their VIII;
Never was a body freer from the manipulatohs Oh
the professional wire worker. .,
II had been intended from the first that the Con-
vention should be an exhibit of the strength and
the determination of the Union citizens OF Iennes-
see; and many poor man, in the performance oi
what he conceived to be high duty, was there from
remote portions of the State having spent ms last
dollar that he might be present. Inc resoiusiohs
campaign radical they are dld no volehce ~ tne
judgment or feelings of single delegate. iney
embody the sentiments OF men who meant al tney
said, who had nothing TO conceal VINO uesneu 70 10
understood They were honest IN presenting tneh
to the public. Had they feared thas any sentence
or expression was capabIe of double construction,
they would have made the Interpretation unmistak-
The nominstion of Governor Brownlow was
straightforward, unanimous and enthusiastic. he
is unquestiOnaby the first choice OF the Union men
of Tennessee He possesses their entire con hdence;
they RELY upon his incorruptible integrity, unswerv-
ing attachment TO the Republican principles, and
his bulldog determination; and they cherish warm
admiration for his political sagacity and his eminent
services. None of the arts Of the demagogue were
required TO secure his renOmination- There was no
manipulation Of county meetings. There was no
skillful maneuverng 70 get prominent asprants out
Of the way. There was no use Of the party lash to
manufacture counterfeit enthusiasm. The great
bodily inhrmity of Governor Brownlow had led the
public to believe that he would refuse to enter the
political arena second times indeed such had been
his expressed intention. Consequently the Loyal
press Of the State had presented from time TO time
the names Of various prominent gentlemen as suit
able candidates. But the people would not be put
of. They spontaneously arose from Memphis TO
Chattanooga in his behalf and their own and de-
manded his renomiration IN tones that could ne oe
misunderstood. Not a county meeting was held
that did moi incorporate his name in us resolutions
aud instruct its delegates 10 cast their votes for aim
Governor Brownlow was made standard-bsarer des-
pite himself If some delegate had presented the
name Of another candidate, perhaps the nomination
would have been received in respectful silence but
Il is moro likely II would lave been met with Kisses
Such a spirit gave gzeat unanimity TO all the de-
alterations Of the Convention. Every proposition
submitted to j. was carried rejected it were,
with one nlind. Gov. Brownlow is generally re-
garde9 as an elected man.