Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-05-16

One of BroWnlOW's Patri-
OTIS brought to Grief.

HoPPCuCO OutiIiS uOcu1J was III
little impromptu debate between
Mr.. Colyar, who was delivered Of
one of his best efforts, and tina
great patriot, scholar, soldier, ant
orator, the Hon. Jeems Mullins
who interrupted him. 1t occurred
after tea in the mass meeting tha
assembled at the Capitol, anC
created great merriment.
Mr.. G. was saying that the wal
grew out of different constructions
of the Constitution; that this
question had been growing since
the resolutions of 1898; that men
honestly differed as to the proper
construction of these resolutions,
and all candid men admitted they
were susceptible Of two construc-
tions. One set of politicians al
ways believed the doctrine of Sc
cession was to be found in the or
ganic law of the land, and out of
this difference of opinion, grew
the war. 1t was an honest differ
ence of opinion, and were not the
men who went to war upon this
question and fought it out to the
bitter end believing they were
right, though in fact they may
have been wrong, entitled at least
to sympathy? Why will Radi-
Gals continue to persecute these
men? Is there no such thing as
forgiveness in this life? Many of
the men who are thus prosecuting
former Rebels have occupied equi-
vocal.positions? Would you not
rather risk such a man in the dis
charge of an important or delicate
trust, though he had been a Reb-
ell, than o man who had been first |
on one side and then on the other. !
Why disfranchise this class of |
men? Why persecute and degrade
them2 Will it bring happiness
and peace and friendship?
Here Mr.. Mullins, who had
taken seat Immediately in front
Of the speaker, in a loud voice,
said they passed the franchise
aw because Andrew Johnson had
old them to do it. Mr.. G. said it
vas very strange that President
Johnson had such a wonderful
influence over the Radical Legis-
ature that it felt bound to obey
he mandate of President Johnson,
hough he was at Washington and
lad no power to command the
legislature of Tennessee. The
legislature must think President ,
Johnson is a very wonderful man ,
indeed. ]
Mr.. Mullins said that Johnson {
vas for disfranchising Rebels and
he Legislature had followed his
.dvice.
Mr.. c., replied, you make a l
,reat mistake in supposing you &
re following the advice of Presi- ,
lent Johnson in this. Johnson
5 a man of strong feelings, but S
lever persecutes a fallen foe. Du- /
ing the war the good men on
10Th sides were deeply enlisted
n the contest, they were in great t
arnest, and in their earnestness '
Vaxed warm, and even pressed
onward in word and deed to
Ehat would ordinarily be regard
d as extremes. This was espe-
tally so with Mr.. Johnson; he was /
realty in earnest, he fought to :
vim, and he encouraged all who {
anne within his influence. lie
expressed himself strongly and :
aid severe things, as all men do /
Vho are in great earnest, but, sir, S
he difference between you and ,
ohnson, is, that he was terrific 8
nan during the. war, but when the
var is over he don't care to fight
NY longer, but you did not get
nad until the war was over. {
Mr.. Mullins said he went into {
he fight but johnson didn't. L
Mr.. G.. said he had heard it in
mated that he came nigh going {
n on the wrong side. And if he
lad no objections would ask him
question. Didn't you make
peeches early in the war on the
ebel side?
Mr.. Mullins said so help him
sod he never did. 4