The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-07-24

SPEECH OF JUDGE NILS BEEOIE THE IN
ION LEACUE GLIB OF NEW YORK.

meeting last evening, in pursuance OF re-
quest made by twenty five of its members, to
hear an address from Judge Mills of Nash
vile, on the Political Condition of Tennes-
see. John Jay, ESQ.,, President of the Club,
occupied the chair. Judge Mills being in
troduced, said that what he should say of
Tennessee was the result of his own personal
observation. A residence of few years in
Tennessee enabled him to possess accurate
knowledge of the political condition OF that
State. The detection of Andrew johnson
was blow to Unionism in Tennessee which
engendered hate that has become still more
intensified since Stanbery's opinion on Re-
construction. The evidences of this in the
present canvass for the August election are
numerous, and on the issue of the contest
depends whether loyal men shall hold the
State forever, or be compelled to leave it and
seek homes elsewhere from rebel persecution.
As it is, they are ostracised socially, and
have no place in society; the name of Radi-
cal, by which all Union men are called, is
detested leading rebels urge that the Gov
ernor's proclamation be condemned, and say
that the ground radicals walk upon should
be cursed. The tradesman who does not
hang upin his store portrait of Gen. Lee.
or who hangs up one Of a Union general, is
ruined. Those northern ladies, who, with
such praise worthy zeal, went South to take
charge of the schools, are known by the
name of "nigger teachers" and as such are
loathed by rebel society. Were it not for
the militia, it would be impossible for a 10y
al man to remain in Tennessee. Yet there
sometimes appear in northern journals state
70 hot proxup1o,u1c militia 10 rI1pn
riot throughout the State. Were it not for
the militia there could be no election. The
$4,000 black men who have been enfranchised
would be shot down by rebels if they dared
to vote with white men. The truth is that
not one half the colored people have any
idea of what their rights are, nor is there any
means by which to inform them. The rebels
have more than 90 newspapers to accomplish
their work, while the radicals have but three.
Such visits as those of Judge Kelly and SEN
ator Wilson are entirely deceptive, for in
such cases as these the rebels take care to
shape their words into correct form to pro-
duce an intended effect. The test is for a
northern man to residein Tennessee, to bold
ly declare the principles he feels, and thus to
experience the coldness of the reception he
would meet with, then the persecution, and
finally the Punishment from the State
These rebels hope for second rebellion
They view everything done by the Legisla-
ture as unconstitutional, tyrannical and op-
pressive. Financially broken, they seem to
have nothing to preserve, and aim at de-
struction. They entirely ignore the Civil
Rights bill 1t is certain that every ninety
nine out of every hundred of the colored men
would vote the Union ticket if fear did not
prevent them. Living with the former slave
holders, and depending on them for subsist-
ence, they have got to vote as they are di-
rected, or leave their cabins. The issue of
the coming contest depends on the negro
vote, and, circumstanced as they are, more
than half the vote of the colored men must
be got, and to this end the assistance of New
York is needed.
General Fl. FL. Thomas, Secretary of the
State Central Committee, was then called
on, to address the Club, and remarked that
the rebels had just sent to New York some
old practical politicians to collect the loan
of $4,000 for election purposes in Tennes-
see. He believed the best way to reach the
colored people was through their own broth
ers, and the cost of each man thus engaged
in the contest would be about 500 for the
ensuing month. There are many places in
the State where it would be impossible, or at
least very dangerous, to register colored
mans vote, unless surrounded with bayonets.
Having been for considerable time Gov.
Brownlow's secretary, he was able to contra
dict the falsehoods that had been uttered
about him, throughout the country. Though
very unsparing of vigorous words when deal
ing with political opponents, the Governor
was gentle in the private relations of life, and
the most forgiving of men as the petitions
for pardon he had recommended abundantly
proved. But the position he occupies needs
a man of fire, and no other could fill it. The
militia, about which so much has been said,
consists of but 10 or 10 companies placed in
the most disloyal counties of the State. The
whole history of the annulling of the registry
is, that some ambitious politicians had rep
resented men to have ever been loyal to the
Government who were proved to have been
ex-rebels and disloyal, and whose names
were therefore taken from the registry. The
Governor now appoints the registers, but
formerly the appointing power was vested in
the County Courts, and as these County
Courts were rebel. it followed that the regis
tiers were disloyal. The General believed
that with twenty-five good speakers to can
vass the State. the election could be secured
and eight members be returned to Congress.
The issue of the contest was, he said, to de-
termine that none but loyal men in Tonnes
see shall vote, and that the disloyal shall not
vote A subscription list was then opened,
and the members present subscribed their
names.
The above is fair statement of the pres
emit contest in Tennessee; and, it is also a
clear indication of what is to follow in each
of the non-reconstructed States q
1t is only because loyalty controls the
State organization that Tennessee is prevent.
ed from falling under rebel control. =
|. Now is the time to aid the other States
while the foundation Of their system is being
formed. If this is laid in justice, the work
will be easy, if it is founded under rebel in.
f1uences, it will be likely so to remain.
One-tenth the effort and the means that il
will require to redeem the South, when once
under rebel control, properly expended at this
time, will save it from passing under thai
baneful influence This is the accepted time
for action. There should be no delay, nc
hesitation.-Great Republic. -.
If the Mexican chieftans wish to inspire
their countrymen with the hatred to foreign
ers and foreign domination they profess
themselves, we will suggest to them how tt
doit. Let them govern Mexico better thar
the foreigners did, while the Imperialis
yoke was there. Let them continue the in.
ternal Improvements which Macmillan be
gan; refrain from the forced loans which he
condemned; clear the public roads of rob