Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-23
POPE,S WTCKED DESIGNS.

ben- rope, ln MS remafKaDie leIJer OF
the oath of July to Gen Grant, published
only a few days ago, states that he con-
siders "it desirable that the government
and the people of the United States
should thoroughly understand the feel
ings and purposes of the leading politi-
clans Of the South, ia order that the
country may know by the result of the
coming elections precisely the amount of
influence possessed by these men, and
the kind and extent Of legislation re-
quired to counteract its balefnl effects
But he expresses the opinion that "no
reconstruction can be satisfactory, or at
| all reliable as to future results, unless
these men are permitted to discuss openly
and according to their nature the issues
presented" And he comes to the sage
conclusion that sit would not be difficult
to find in the violent speeches of such
men abundant cause for silencing them.
This infamous suggestion comes from
man who prated loudly about his regard
for the rights Of all the citizens Of his
district Congress offered this plan Of "a
construction to the people of the South>
ern States which are held Is conquered
provinces for their voluntary acceptance
or rejection, and this agent sent out to
carry out in good faith the offer Of Con-
gress, has shown an utter disregard for
tbe rights Of the people ny first interdiet
ing the Governor of Georgia and the civil
officers of that State land his order APP
plies as well to the Governors and civil
officers Of Alabama and Florida) from
opposing, or advising others to OPP
pose, this plan of reconstruction
They were absolutely required by this
military satrap, exercising functions I'M
known to the constitution and laws of the
United States, to abandon their right as
American citizens to the freedom Of
speech, to discuss whatever question may
be presented to them for their considera-
ton, and to act upon such questions as
became freemen. Not content with the |
mean subserviency thus required of them,
he has since forbid them giving any legal |
advertisements to such papers as con-
tumaciously exercised the right guaran-
teed to them by the constitution of OPP /
posing what they believe to be wrong |
He hypocritically processes to be in favor
of extending the freest latitude to public
discussion, while he issues orders forbid
ding such discussion. He suggests the ST.
lencing Of the leading men of his satrapy, |
and their Punishment from the country,
because they viii not either remain pas
sively silent or become abjeet tools in his
hands On the 81 "a v ';,ne he declared that
lit is the duty of the military authorizes |
in his district to secure - - me people the 4
utmost r'-.-.Om of speech and of the
press consistent with law; not to restrict
either, and ordered that "no officer or
soldier in his command will hereafter in
teriere with newspapers or speakers on
any pretense whatever" Having since
then aimed blow at the freedom of the
press, he now seeks authority to silence
the public men who oppose the Con-
gressional plan Of reconstruction, and to
Danish them where it may suit his whim |
1t is clear he would silence alloppOsition if |
he felt he had the power. His proposition
to Danish men for opinions sake lisa new
idea in this reconstruction scheme, and he
is entitled to the distinction which so infa-
nous suggestion ccnfers. What would
have been thought of the man, who
twelve years ago, when VIM. Lloyd Gar
rison laundering to delighted audiences,
that this Union is lie; the American
Union is sham, an imposture, covenant
with death, an agreement with hell
should have advised the silencing of
Garrison and those who expressed simi-
lar sentiments, or their Punishment
Such asaggestion can only emanate from
bad heart or a erazed intellect But,
as if to involve himself in the most ridicu.
lous Inconsistency, Gen. Pope expressed
his confidence in the same letter to Gen.
Grant, that reconstruction viii be salts
factorily accomplished in his district,
in spite of the open and active opposition
Of the disloyal reactionists, as be terms
the opponents Of the Congressional re-
construction plan Such is the inconsis-
teney in which this wesk-minded, wins
dictive man involves himself
In this letter Gen. Pope says;
It my duty TO state that in my judg-
ment the condition Of affairs in the South
ern States, even should reconstruction be
satisfactorily accomplished, will of neces-
sity be a reproduction, in more or less
modified degree, of what now exists in
Tennessee, unless some measures are adopt
ed TO free the country Of the turbulent and
dislOyal leaders of the reactionary party.
Whilst these persons remain in the coun-
try TO exercise the baleful influence they
undoubtedly possess, there can be no peace.
/ believe that in Florida and Alabama the
danger from this cause is less than in Geor-
| gia but in all these States there IS 50 much
danger Of the disorder and violence which
mark the daily history Of Tennessee, that
il would seem wise TO adopt whatever
measures are practicable 10 remove from
The States in process Of Reconstruction the
causes which now endanger the loyal gov
eminent of Tennessee.
tits singular fact that the men IN
Tennessee who would probably have oP-
| - a. L.. e ,,..,st,,,~ts,Y, mr.