Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-07-12


ranny than this we see, have kings lost their
heads. But we would have your engines
tempered with moderation. We feel no fear
from the canting threats of military or mill
tia coercion daily thrown out by pitiful pol
liticians, who judge your nature by their own
ccwardly instincts The government Of the
uation is not going to interfere to restrain
the lawful efforts Of our people to regain
ther freedom The people Of Tennessee, for
the sake Of peace, have now placed them
selves upon the broad platform Of universal
suffrage and universal equality before the
law. The public opinion of the nation would
not tolerate an outside interference, 10 secure
the continuance in power of pitiful
and hateful minority which dares not go
before the people of the State on terms like
these. As to BrownIow himself and his mi
4 litia, they dare not confront determined
people. They did, indeed, begin career Of
robbery and outrage in one Of our peaceful
counties, which eliminated in cruel and
cold-blooded murder. But when they pres.
emily beheld the gathering wrath Of a people
cast down but not destroyed, they skunk
away into covering quietude. Governor
Brownlow cannot raise his eight thousand
militia. There are not SO many outlaws in
the State at his service. He and his Legis-
lature and other officials have 30 bankrupted
the State Treasury, that he has no money to
pay or provision such force. But in fact
he dares not raise them till after the election.
The good sense and better feelings Of even a
portion Of his own supporters Is already 90
shocked at the barbarites of bis militia that
be will not likely dare to increase their num-
/ kas q Oh IT,
The people look upon these outrages more in
anger than in fear. But, If the full quota OF
| eight thousand outlaws were quartered upon
this once free people, we should be unworthy
OF our former honor to permit them TO con-
troll the result Of the coming election. One
hundred and ffty thousand men aroused to
struggle for their liberties, and unused to sub
NIT to oppression, cannot be held in subjuga-
tion by such force.
Notwithstanding the wicked Vaccinations
of those who have organized "loyal leagues
throughout the State, the colored people can
be induced to vote the Conservative ticket, il
the mass of the people will interest them
selves actively to instruct them as to their
duty and interest in this regard. They will
readily understand that the "leagues' will
not support them, and that the Radicals will
not be able or willing to give them employ
ment at wages, or TO feed and clothe them,
and give them shelter. They may soon be
taught that their interest lies in living in har-
monyswith the white people in their midst
Much has cen done already in that way,
wherever the effort has been made, and there
can be no doubt of success If our people will
make but half the effort the importance Of
the case calls for.
4 In this trial, fllow- -citizens, let US act like
men. Let us not forget our former freedom.
| Let us not 90 soon forget our former hon.
or. II was grave error to break down the
barriers Of the Constitution erected by the
wisdom of our fathers. which stood between
the people and the arbitrary power of those
who would Cypress them. Many Of you par.
ticipated in that error. And now, W hen you
zee some of us who have not been compro.
missed by the antoward events of the last
four years, strainiug every nerve in the effort
to restore TO you your dearest rights, will you
lie idle, with your arms folded, submissive Ia
the hateful domination of the oppressor2 In
memory Of the past, let il not be sol If each
one of you who Is disfranchised will use
every exertion to secure one vote for the con-
servative ticket of course the result cannot
be doubtful. If each one OF you will make
the eeort the result is certain. Many Of you
can secure many votes. Win all the votes
in your power. Induce those within your
influence to withdraw from their reasonable
leagues. If they continue in such associa-
tions it must work their ruin. We owe 1t to
these poor people, who were once our ser
wants, to rescue them from the wiles of the
pf,rin al a1 10
ing to ruin the colored man for their own
selfish purposes.
No time is to be lost Perfect your organ
izations in every neghborhood. Have your
barbecues and public speakings, but above
all things, see that the right voters be regis
tered, and that they vote and vote right, on
election day. Obey the laws, unjust and OPP
pressive az they are and see that your OPP
ponents obey therd. Go to the polls on election
day, and see that elections are held; and
scateh that they are held Jairiy, and the result
reported truly. Let those who cast vote TO
continue the enslaremen OF their fellow-cit-
izens, be noted; and let them know that here
after they shall 'be to you as heathen men
and publicans.n Where the issues between
political parties involve only reasonable diff
ferences of opinion, we condemn prescription
for opinion sake but Radicalsm has brand.
ed you as Infamous, as on par with him
who has been convicted of robbery, or theft
or burglary, or arson. He who votes TO sus-
tain Radicalisni, casts a stigma upon your
honor; and has no right to expect any thing
else than your honest and honorable enmity
and indignation. .
Within the last few days, correspondence
has been published, between two agents of
the Freedmen's Bureau, the intention of
which Is 10 intimidate you in the exercise of
your last remaining right to employ whom
you please 10 labor on your farms, or in your
workshops-to require you to feed, clothe,
and shelter the man who will vote 10 deprive
you of your inalienable rights, TO strip you
Of your liberty and property. You are not
sufficiently humbled even yet, to tremble at
the petty threats of insolent officials and ve-
nal editors. The man who votes the Radical
ticket in this election, votes, that you shall
never be allowed 10 vote-votes that you
shall be etaxed without representation
down with taxation as only the unreprescnt
ed can be taxed. Ne votes to continue over
you a nercenary militia of outlaws, who
search your houses without waaant, seize
your property and appropriate II to their own
use, insult your wives and daughters, and
murder unoffending citizens with circumstan-
ces of cruel barbarity scarcely exceeded in
the history of the most savage races. He
votes to sustain the man. and party which
speaks Of mgching across your now unhap-
py land once again with the sword to kill,
the torch TO burn, and the surveyors chain
to divide out the desert which shall remain.
He votes to sustain the party In your midst
which invites a rapacious and cruel faction
In the North to take possession OF your es-
tates and confiscate the same without the
least regard to your lawful rights and In vi