Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-17

Fessenden, Radical, expressed q desire
for an amendment to Stevens bill, which
was offered and voted down in the House.
1t has been suggested by correspondents,
that the Senate viii probably take both
bills and make out of them a third one,
which will meet the CASE. a viewed from
the Radical standpoint Our kilograms
tonight may indicate the progress made
yesterday.
There are only fourteen days more re-
manning to this Congress, and il Is possi>
bic that the whole question may pass over
to the next-which will meet on the fourth
of March,
An Appeal. no TEE LEGTSLATURE.
If a word at this inncture can reach
the reason, and arrest the serious atten-
ton Of the members of the Tennessee
Legislature, we fain would inter it and
request hearing, promising that it shall
be brief, and respectful to them as body
clothed with authority and invested with
grave responsibility.
We speak to them as one occupying the
attitude of opposition to the general policy
they have seen fit to adopt, and as a repre-
sentative of that portion of their fellow
citizens, who are known to disagree with
their course, and to dispute the wisdom
justice, and liberality Of many Of the
laws that have been passed We have
written emphatically andearnestly against
most Of the measures that have emanated
from the political majority in that body
but, even whenimputing partizan motives,
have not been contumeliOus and abusive
If we, and those we speak for, had a right
todifer from this majority, it was 10th our
right and duty to express that dissent If
there are just and candid men among
them, land however much mistaken we
regard them to be, we cannot think these
qualities are wholly wanting in the Radi-
cal party in the Legislature, the positive
ness of the protest that we have made,
and the clearness Of the voice that we
have kept continually lifted against their
ruinous policy, should not weaken the
force Of this appeal-the last, perhaps
that we can have the opportunity of
urging against some of the propositions
now pending for deisiOn. 1t is made
under a solemn sense that these meas
ures will be destructive to the peace and
prosperity Of the State, and will |
entail trouble upon all the people
of the State---COnserVatives and |
and black-men and |
women Of every condition innocent chill
dren and the neutrality-suspicious. Wedo |
not forget either that many of those who's act |
with us, may be tainted, in reply to this
appeal, with having committed great |
error, and pronounced unfit to advise, and |
even impndent in demonstrating but, we
cannot think, that with dispassionate men
called to act in this important crisis, such |
suggestions will be allowed to
weigh We speak for peace harmony and
We beseech, in the name Of
he people of the State, that those who
lold these issues in their hands will not
involve us in bankruptcy and ruin-that
hey will not impose on them a partizNn
lespotism-that they will not induce
lnarchy by driving a spirited people to
he ultimate resort We have no COM
mission to threaten the last in any turn of
vents, but experience tells us, and should
ell them, that it is the not unlikely re-
ult Of unwise and oppressive laws in
egard TO these matters we are not mock
athletic We are deeply concerned, and
ak to be heard for the cause we plead
We, therefore say, in behalf of the true
interests of Tennessee, that the Legisla-
ure should abandon the franchise bill, |
he militia bill, the compensation
i'll, the sedition bill There is no
rgument that we see fit to make
gainst them in this brief exhorta-
ion. They are unconstitutional, unjust,
Unnecessary and unwise. They will waste
he substance Of the people for nought
hey will rob one class of rights and pro-
erty, and give them to another They
ill beget strife. They viii destroy every
interest They will divert the
de of immigration from our borders
hey will make widows and orphans.
hey will produce want, degradation and
Iisery.
VIII the Legislature nanse and reflect |