Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-27
OUR CITY TROUBLES-THE ISSUE
AND THE RESPONSIBILITY.

ORR CRY TROUBLEs-THE ISSUE
AND THE REsPONsIBILTrX.
The question between the Governor
and the city authorities of Nashville,
which has caused so much excitement
and apprehension here and elsewhere, is
really a very simple one, and quite easy
Of solution.
q. The charter of.the city..requires the
elections for city officers to be held in a
certain way, which is specifically de-.
scribed therein The city authorities
propose to hold the election in that way.
They have been advised by their regular
Attorney, whose opinion is cOneurred 10
by number of the leading members of
the bar, that the franchise law does not
apply to or control such elections
2. On the contrary, the GOVERNOR con-
tends that the franchise act does control
in such cases, and he proclaims his pur-
pose 10 see that it is applied in all its
parts in our election tomorrow
The issue is, therefore, purely legal,
and the question is, aohat is The lao Of
the easel and this rs the whole question.
The Governor denies the right Of the city
authorities to decide that law question,
but assumes to decide it for them They
contend that by the constitution and
laws of the State, they have a right to a
decision by the proper court They are
perfectly willing that Governor Brownlow
shall protect the Registration Commits
sioner in holding an election under bis
Interpretation of the law; and they claim
the same right to do the same themselves.
They will not interfere with the Cover
nor, and only ask that he will not inter
fere with them. Two elections will thus
be held, and two sets of officials be elects
ed, who will simultaneously claim pos
session of the Offices The proper court,
when the case is presented for ajudica-
ton, will decide which is entitled, under
the law, to the offices. To that decision,
when obtained, the city authorities will
offer no opposition.
There is, therefore, no substantial
ground for violent collision The per-
son or party who may precipitate it will
be guilty Of a great crime against the
peace, and become a contriver and
fomenter of strife and murder
But apprehending that the Governor
who has shown himself always so vim
dictive and blood-thirsty in his express
sions and conduct--would not be con-
trolled by the great interests Of peace in
the matter, the Mayor laid the case be-
fore the President, and invoked the
power Of the United States to preserve
the peace. The reply of the President
through the Secretary Of War, instructs
Gen Thomas commander Of this depart
ment, to repair to Nashville, and, with |
the military forces of the United States,
to see that the peace is preserved but he |
is specially instructed not to assume the
functions of Judge by deciding which |
set of Judges and Clerks are the true and
legal ones Any course of action Gen.
Thomas shall pursue under this order,
will be promptly acquiesced in by the
authorities and people of Nashville. He
cannot decide the issue of law, and the
responsibility rests upon him Of seeing
that no violence is perpetrated by either
Of the parties to the controversy
Under this statement of the case, we
think the whole matter is resolved into
very simple problem, about the solution
of which there should be no difficulty,
and which may be summed up as fol-
lows:
l. The Judges and Clerks appointed by
the city authorities shall proceed to hold
the election at the places designated by
them in each ward, under the charter as
it has been construed by the legal adj
yisers of the city.
2 The Judges and Clerks appointed by
the Commissioner of Registration shall
proceed to hold the election, at such
places as they may select-apart from
the other voting places-under the law as
interpreted by the Governor.
3. Gen. Thomas to permit no inter-
ference with either by the other To
make sure of which there should be no
extra police force employed, and the
regular police force to devote themselves
strictly to their ordinary duties The
militia should be confined 70 their camps,
outside of the city, during the day and
night; the United States troops TO be
stationed in each ward, convenient to
each polling place, with strict instructions
to interfere with neither, but promptly
to suppress any disturbance at either,
and prevent collision between citizens
going to or returning from both the voting
places .E
This will efectually secure the peace,
and be in conformity to the Presidents
order, as we understand it 1t would
give no advantage to either party to the
but leave it just where it
ought to have been from the beginning
Of the excitement
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