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

lHcNchd VI tic VI llc
law, he openly encouraged its violation
publicly advised, from the stump and
through his Knoxville Wing, the robbing
aud numbering of those who had taken
sides or sympathized with the South and
10 insure the execution of his fendish adj
vice, he promised, both before and after his
election, that if any Of his followers should
be convicted by the courts Of the country
for violence inflicted on those who had
been identified with the rebellion, and SEN
fenced TO the Penitentiary, he, as Governor
Of Tennessee, would meet them at the de-
pot in Nashville with pardons; and this,
permit me 10 say, is one of the few pledges
which he has redeemed And in the then
existing state Of society at a time when We
were Just emerging from civil war, which
had broken down all respect for law, and
sown broadcast the seeds characterization
when passion and local hatreds and appe-
titles for plumber, whetted by indulgence
and encouraged by previous immunity from
punishment, aggravated the evils with
which We we're then contending; il was not
difficult TO find a large number of men
ready and willing to avail themselves of
the license which the highest officer
of the State had voluntarily thrust upon
them. II was in this way he stimulated
lawlessness in Eastern Tennessee TO an ex-
tent but imperfectly understood by persons
at distance.
INDUSTRIOUS oUTRAGEs.
MODS thefts, robberies, and murders were
Of common, almost everyday occurrence.
Ministers of the Gospel, distinguished for
piety, and venerable with age. have been
ruthlessly forced from the sacred desk, and
ridden upon rails. In one instance, two
men Of God were driven by violence from
Decatur, in Meigs county, where they were
engaged in conducting protracted meet
ing, thirteen miles, and made TO carry bill
lets Of wood through the public streets of
Athens, in McMinn county, in the full
blaze Of day, and by as graceless set of
scamps as ever disturbed the peace Of socie-
~. Conrts have been intimidated by them,
and two public executions by mobs ia the
town Of Knoxville have occurred within
the last eighteen months without a prose
cntion. At times and in some localities il
has been very dangerous for gentleman,
supposed to have twenty dollars, to travel
alone through the country; while to drive
good men from the country under the pre-
text Of disloyalty, but really for the pur-
pose of appropriating their property, was
with many a favorite policy Of enriching
themselves. And all this was done by the
Governors peculiar friends, and done too,
in the name and under the cover Of 10y
atty. Ii is true that this lawiess population
was made up mostly by the refuse, the
worst portion of both sides; but this mat
tsred not, 50 long as they held themselves
in readiness 10 do the Governors behest
Their object was pelf; his object to crush
ont all opposition to suppress honest and
legitimate inquiry into the official conduct
of himself and those associated with him
to concentrate within himself all the pow
ers of the State, and TO stifle the freedom of
thought, and Of the press. Such policy,
il is easy to be seen, would, in country
of ordinary intelligence, and where the
existing power was dependent upon even
partial suffrage, soon overthrow any dynas-
ly however strong and well protected and
such was the manifest fate of Brownlow's
accidental regime. With him, as with
every one else, one act OF usurpatiOn and
oppression demanded another.
THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE.
As weak and unrehecting as he is, he
saw this much, and at once, in CO.
operation with a majority of creatures
In the legislature, who, too, like himself,
we're false in their promises, and
false in their constitutional obligations,
set about robbing the people, who had
elected them, of all political power, and
turning il over to such as would unscr1pu-
lously and readily do whatever might be |
required of them. To this end, members |
legally elected and admitted to their seats |
were expelled under various pretexts, but |
in reality TO make room for more supple |
instruments.
Others, duly and regularly elected, were |
denied their seats for the same reason,
and when, by this forcible and illegal pru-
Ming, BrOURiobHSn, land there is no more |
term TO characterize the devil |
ish spirit that is preying upon the yitals of |
our State), because strong enough, it put /
forth an amended or second franchise law,
the distinguishing feature Of which is that /
none could vote except such as held certif, |
estes from the Governors appointees This
reach for power, like all usurpa-
tions, was put forth under a specious pre-
text. 1t was, as alleged by its authors, in
troduced and adopted for the purpose of
keeping the government in the hands of
the loyal people Of The Stale. But in this
connection il must be remembered that the /
government of the State was already in the
of loyal men-this object hav-
ing been efiectually secured by the franchise
law which had been previously passed. No!
Let us not delude ourselves by such a shall
low and unworthy pretence. The second
law was passed to exclude loyalty from the
ballot box. II has excluded loyalty. Yes,
he purest loyalty and patriotism of the
State has been repealed from all participa-
ion in the public affairs of the State. Ac-
,ording to the provisions of this law, the
Governor is authorized TO appoint register
IF voters in each county. The law declares
shall and who shall not be entitled TO |
De registered as voters. Among others,
loldiers who had fought for the government
N the late struggle, and been honorably l
are declared TO be entitled to |
vote. But then, the Governors appointee
s made the Judge this fact. His decision
s conclusive; it can neither be appealed
rom nor reviewed. If he decides errone-
,usly, whether from caprice, misconception
,f his duty, malice, or unworthy partizan
there is no way of correct
ny the error. The applicant is deprived
If one of the dearest rights incident TO a
republican form of government. Thus,
'ou will all see that the Governor holds
he whole game in his own hands; and to
make his power, il possible, more complete,
this franchise act is
part Of the fundamental law of the land,
,nsrafted into and made a part
# the constitution of the State,
which invests every one holding
certificate with the constitutional right of |
7oting, by later act of Legislature, his
Eroelleaoy, he Governor, is authorized, at
lis mere will and pleasure TO annul the
registration in any county, appoint new
md more complacent register, and order
n not order, as he may suppose most pro-
motive Of his faction, a new or revised
egistration.
THE GOVERNOR SUPREME.
These laws are intended 10 make the |
Governor supreme they are intended to
lothe him with all necessary power to force
he reelection Of himself as well "A
legislature subseryient to his views. 1t is
nth him to appoint registers of voters in
he several counties. No one can vote ex-
ept by the permission of his sppointee,
nd if a registration is made, however fair,
'hich by any possibility is likely to cast a
majority Of votes against him, and his time
arvino fnlloxvars and arnprfante a stroke |