Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-05-10

The Indictment and ArFak snmeHt 81
BrownFOwism Before the PeOple-A
Thorough and whitening Expo
sure.
FELLOW CITIZENS: The social and POI
litical revolution through which we have
inst passed, imposes upon each and all Of
as corresponding duties and responsible
ties; and among the gravesi and most
important Of these are, prudence, patriot
ism, and an honest purpose 20 do our whole
duty in the exercise Of eur political rights.
Especially is this true Of ms as Tennes-
scans; for il is here, aud particularly in
this division Of the State, that the passions,
preiadices, and malevolence engendered by
the late rebellion have taken deepest hold,
and are doing most 30 sap the foundations
of society. These evils are rapidly drift
ing ns 10 absolute and positive ruin, and if
moi arrested will disorganize our State gov
eminent, break down everything like legal
protection TO persons and property, dry mp
the fountains Of industry, education and
progress, and render Tennessee an unfit
habitation for an upright, law-loving and
intelligent people.
THE EVIL AND THE REMEDY.
For these evils, present and prospective,
there is bat one remedy, and that remedy
is with the people Of the State. 1t is for
them TO apply the corrective; no one else
can do il. Public discussion, in connection
with the Press, may do something towards
awakening proper appreciation Of the sit
nation, and in this way stimulate organ
lied and effective action; but it will all be
Of no avail, unless you, the people, enter
into the contest in earnest, and with an
unconquerable determination to preserve
your republican form Of government, which
has been already well nigh oVerthroWn,
and 10 insure an honest, enlightened ard
Just administration of public affairs.
Let us therefore, in the spirit Of honest
inquiry, take counsel together to-day, put
on the whoie drmOr Of manhood-of Ameri-
can citizenship, and go forth with manly
resolve 10 restore our beloved State to her
wonted prosperity, and to that constitution
al equality 20 which she is entitled under
the Federal Constitution by reseuing the
government from the hands OF the despica-
bic faction which now controls il and by
placing her destiny in the hands of men
who have capacity 20 understand her wants,
and hearts large enough TO rise above fac
ton and unworthy partizan influences and
10 administer the government upon broad
and substantial principles Of Justice and
equality. Nothing short Of this can save
ns from the irretreyable ruin now staring
us in the face
The urgent necessity for prompt and Wig
orous action on your part will best appear
from a retrospect of events for the past few
wears. Our State government which had
been dis5rganized by the rebellion, was
reconstructed at period of great public |
danger, under the influence Of fierce pas
sion, with strong feeling of resentment to- |
wards that portion Of the people who had !
adh FRED TO the rebellion; and in the pre-
sence, by the permission, and 10 some ex-
tent under the direction of the military |
power which then held possession Of the !
State. The time, the prevailing temper of |
the then dominant party, as well as all the |
surroundings, were unpropitious 10 a wise |
performance of such an important duty. |
Men of thoughtful temperaments of moder- |
ate and liberal views, of cool and we'll |
balanced minds, capable Of acting wisely, |
prudently and Justly, under all circumstan-
ces, and in the midst of fierce conflict Of /
passion, had but little influence in shaping
The policy of that eVentful day. But civil
government was a necessity, and being
formed, though i'm an irregular way, and
with some Objectionable features, its crea-
ton was, nevertheless, hailed by the people
generally with hearty manifestations Of
satisfaction. They cared not who governed,
provided he covered we'll But in this lies
their present well-grounded complaints.
The men hastily elevated TO positions
Of power and great public responsi-
hiliiy, act more from passion than from
reason. They seek more to enlarge and
perpetuate their power, than they do to
advance the public welfare. Bitterness,
malice, noisy professionsof loyalty, coupled
with a spirit Of relentless oppression and
Vindictiveness, are wantonly protruded be-
fore the public as the highest perfection Of
patriotism and craftsmanship
BRowNIow.
Brownlow, the Maynard, the impuIsive.
the vacillating, the intolerant, the vindic-
tive, the reckless advocate in turn of every
extreme, enfeebled by disease, Overlooking
with excitement, and totally indi fIerent TO
the demands OF Justice, and the constiiu-
Iional restrictions thrown around the EX-
ecutive-of all men the least fitted for the
delicate and responsible trust confided TO |
his hands, ia unfortunately commissioned
as Governor 10 put this new government
into operation. The convention that in
itiated the movements for reorganization, |
and presented Gov BrOWnlow as a candi- |
date for Governor, took also the necessary
steps 10 insure his election. They pre- |
acribed a most rigid test for voters, carefully
excluding from the polls every trace of dis
loyalty. None bat friends Of the Federal
government we're allowed 10 vote; and at
the election thus holden under these re-
strictions, and in a state where the aggre-
gate vote for many years preceding averaged |
over $4,000, there were only %, 257 votes {
polled, of which %, 222 were cast for Gov. !
Rrownlow, and 80 for FIVE other gentlemen.
Here, twill be seen, was an ample beginning i
for stable government. In the Keeping {
and fostering care of an honest statesman c
equal to the occasion, and animated by a c
love Of peace, and spirit Of Cancellation. c
and controlled by adesire TO allay the fierce i
passions evoked BY the war, il would soon {
have drawn around it the support and afieC- I
tions of every class of our citizens. Almost J
every one had been impoverished by the {
war and the insurgent portion Inundated 1
by defeat Further resistance 20 the an- Z
thority Of the national government had !
been entirely abandoned. No one enter {
tanned the slightest idea Of renewing the c
conflict. All the Rebels hoped for or ex- '
pecied was the protection of law. In a 8
word, n government administered with '
ordinary fairness, justice and humanity
would have commanded almost uni
yersal support, and secured irresisti 7
BILE popular strength, and imperishable a
fame TO its authors and public servants q
But this higher order Of ststesmanship \
never found favor with Governor Brown r
low, from his Inauguration 20 the present
lime. Indeed, he ia incapable Of under
standing it, He is bitter, malignant, and &
himself, and naturally supposes :
every body else TO be controlled by similar i
passions. Having never forgiven any =
one, he did not expect 10 be for
given. Events-the surges Of civil y
SaF-had thrown him higher than
he ever dreamed Of in the palmy DAYS
II peace. His elevation excited sn ayarice :
and an ambition which he had never felt y
before and being anxious 10 perpetuate :
has power, and feeling conscious Of n want :
Of merit he knew not how TO do il other =
wise than by usurpsiion, prescription, and !,
violence Hence the recklessnesp, op- :
preston, and vacillation that has marked
every step Of HE administration.