Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-24
srNArnR RRORNLOM


years from the 4th of March, 1869, which
will carry him to 1875, Gov. Brownlows
ambition should be fully satisfied. There
are but two offices above, and these he
should not pother his mind about for the
present
As the editor Of partisan newspaper,
ard as the Governor of a State emerging
from the bloody clouds Of civil revolt,
in which the people we're all actively ar
rayed, and to a great extent against each
other, some latitude Of passion was natu-
raj, and vehemence Of denunciation to
be expected That time has passed, and
the occasion has arrived for the chief
person in the State 10 exert his influence
to permanently pacily the late conflicts
upon the broad views Of the true states
man. Every surrounding condition in
vites him to this course, and beckons him
away from the paltry considerations of
partys His age and his health admonish
that If his ambition aspires to perma-
nent fame, which is always based upon
the admiration and gratitude of bene~
fitted people, he must now turn his at
tention to the work of making all his
people contented and happy. he must
know that the fame of the mere partisan
is ephemeral and if continuously ex-
erted in opposition to the rights and wei
fare of any considerable portion of the
people, will heap Goals of fire upon his
head while living, and call forth exc
crations upon his memory when dead
The Governor told us in his last mes
sage, delivered on the 9th inst, that mo
people have greater reason to be thankful
to an oyer-ruling Providence than the
people of our own State. The earth has
Welded a plentiful harvest; the signs Of
the devastation of war are fast disappear
ing before the renewed energy and en-
terprise of our people; business is pros
pering, of every kind indications of i'm
provement and progress are to be seen in
every section Of the State our bonds
are advancing in value, etc, etc. Here
is beginning point for craftsmanship,
that the ablest and best might envy.
How shall the "devastations of war be
made to wholly disappear How can
"the energy and enterprise of our people"
be stimulated to perfect development ?
How shall "the indications of improves
ment and progress" be made to pour out
their full fruition in a glorious reality ?
How can the credit of our State be re-
stored to an equality with the best, and
even reach a premium Can these
things be accomplished by means of petty
chickering's over few ofices2 Can they
be brought to pass through policy that
would rob energy and enterprise of their
hopes of reward or deprive the tax
payer Of every incentive to industry and
exertion1
If we had the ear of the Governor, we
would tell him the answers to these ques-
lions. We should advise him to "recon-
struct Tennessee. We wonld, occupy
ing his own standpoint, advise him to
send a special message to the Legislature
at an early day, of which this should be
the substantial outline:
GENTLEMEN: There is limit to human
passion, mete to the spirit of revenge.
These we have reached. Tennessee is
safe-our enmities should cease, and so far
as my advice and example and power ex-
tend they shall cease. The negro is secure
in his rights. He should now be allowed
to take his chances with the rest of the
people. Our constitution was framed in
and for a time of peace-was amended in
and for a time of war. Through well
known causes it has got into a shape I'M
suited, in some respects, TO the present
wants and necessities of the people.
recommend a convention TO revise it, so
that it may conform in all its provisions to
the wants and interests of all the people
who live under it. The wickedness Of the
rebellion has been atoned for. Its spirit is
no longer alive. We now look to
many of its adherents for the yigor,
industry and enterprise in the several vo-
cations Of life, which are the source of our
prosperity and strength as State. Hence
forth our laws should be equal and Just
towards all. While l modify no view |
have held in the past, in lelation to any
of those questions which have led to
our troubles and strifes, in looking to our
own future and to the interests of the
generations that are to follow, l hold now
that We must, by the exercise of the polit-
ical power with which we are invested,
illustrate the essence of true Republican
liberty, etc, etc.
Throwing himself in this elevated at
mosphere the Governor, with all his
physical feebleness, would build for him.
self monument more enduring than
brass. He would concentrate the ad-
miration, and even the individual af-
fections of all the good around himself
He would thus separate the bad from the
good, and become the center figure among
a people rising from the ruins and desc
lations ola blood-washed conflict around
his person would the holy reconciliation
of estranged peoples take place at his
feet would the reign of a material pros
perity unexampled, be poured out; the
songs of rejoicing would swell upon his
ears; and at last the blessings of Heaven
would descend and glorify his last earthly
moments
HON, GEO n. PENDLETON.
The Cincinnati Enquirer of the 22d
contains an article. the substance of
which has already been furnished by tel