Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-03-06
Evening Meeting Of the Convention
Speech of Judge r. Il. Butler.

The Hall Of Representatives wa filled TO replo-
ton last night, well the galleries, where
large c2ncourse of colored people were asscm-
bled.
Judge II. r. Butler spoke at considerable length,
as follows:
Gentlemen Of the C0Hcatto1: We met to-day for
the purpose of adding another link to the work
started here two years ago, when we assembled in
Convention to restore a civil government TO Ten
/ nessee. How different are the circumstances now
from those that then surrounded US. Where Is he
who was then the leading man of our counsels, and
who enunciated the doctrine of making treason
Odous and forcing traitors to take back seats, and
who then promised to be the Moses TO lead that race
which has, by the party Of liberty and progress just
been raised to position of freedom and honor? In
/ the lan"uage of your resolutions today Andrew
johnson stands in trembling and fear before the
SOY tRs g5sst A%erSan people I lTr
/ II is right that this should be So for no man who
deserts bis friends can or ought to meet with poi-
/ cal success. What a spectacle did we see to-day,
when delegates from every county, from johnson to
! Shelby met for the purpose of putting in nomlna-
ton the man Of their choice, and showed by their
wisdom and deliberations that they have the capac-
ty and the courage to hold the rens of power in the
State. What contrast TO our situation two years
ago? Then we were wounded and sore from the
great contest the smoke Of which had not yet cleared
! away, and our State was wasted and the minds Of
Now by her own action, Tennessee takes the proud
position Of being the brightest star in the political
horizon because she has gone further than any other
State in the way of right and justice The eyes OF
all are upon her. Not only the loyal men OF this
country, but all nations are watching her IN
the great march Of freedom towards manhood sui
frage
As was told US by our noble standard bearer to-
day, we have much to do If one-half of what is
said by the Conservative papers be true we are IN
no enviable condition. From their assertions 1t
would seem that if any OF our friends come here TO
assist us in the present campaign, they will be drlv-
en- out We must stand by our principles and our
candidate, and in the language of our resolutions
if such things are attempted, it will be held I'M
warrantabe, and will be resisted to the last extrem-
ity.' Yes, we hope much for the future but it has
ever been contest TO VindiCate the right ana we
cannot hope to escape this moral law.
Our opponents say they can vote the colored men,
and one of their leading men has said that with
banjo and Jug of whisky he can vote every coored
man in his county" l am reOiced to see the col
ored people in these galleries. To see, so soon after
the shackles have been taken off this race, large
and orderly portion Of them taking an interest IN
the proceedings of State convention. / eXhort
them TO be orderly and careful go TO the polls sober
vote with their friends, and let the banjo and the
whisky 60 with the party that has always controlled
them.
1t is said that the men who own the land can con
troll the Colored Such not the history of the
past. In the war, the negro went with his friends
and the frcnds of the Union and showed more good
sense throughout the struggle, than his educated
! master. 1t will be so again
We are told that the Supreme Court will decide
o. against the franchise law. We hear this Of every
law made for the benefit of loyal men,
r. These men declare all such laws unconstitutional
and strive to make the people believe that the Su-
] prcme Court will so decide. Well, the very proylS-
ions Of the amended Constitution is the work of one
Of our d lie laOpINup and
sentiments arc there upon the statute books, and
do not believe that this court will tear down the
barriers erected by the loyal Legislature and let re-
bcllion Jam run unchecked all over the State.
We are told that Tennessee is quiet all is serene
e within her borders and these rebel newspapers
have teemed with statements against the loyal mill
tia bill. They have estimated the cost of Stat,
Guard nj all the way from ten to forty millions
r. nuay to raise the indignation Of the people
against this measure. But is it true that Tennes
T. see is quiet and orderly? Go to the Senate cham
Der and there see the vacant seat of the noble anC
J., lamcnted Case, who was foully murdered for dar
=. ing TO do right. l knew him we'll for | served
n with him in the Senate, and truly NAV il be sait
q he was one Of natures noblemen. He was gener
l., Gus to a fault and he had no enemies but the enc
mics Of his country. See the body Of his murdered
10 SON and think Of the three other murders Of Unol
. men in that locality and then say if it is all seren
| in the State.
am dad that the Legislature has come I'D t.
in the law that these forces shall not be called on
unless they are needed to protect the people and
), such is the case there ought TO be regiment guar
"a tered in every county Of the State until life
to property IS made secure
There Is proposition pending in the Legislator
to pay loyal men for their losses during the war
= Is this right? II so, then in Gods name pass tn
~ law and do Justice to those who so richly deserv
ID it at your hands 1t has been said that nearly a
m the wealth and social responsibility of the Stat
Is was engaged in the rebellion. If that be le
in their property be taxed to pay the loyal man f
what Of his was destroyed through their hellis
nd, schemes against their country and neighbors. a.
Ii peal to the members of this Legislature in behalf
an the suffering loyal men Of the State TO pass this
.r- and give the much needed relief.
rz But l wish TO call your careful attention 20
or speech made by Andrew johnson, on Broad sire,
in 1856 Il was made to about 700 drunken der
ocrats Conservatives hear what your master sa
Of you. The word conservative is the dogma
ell Despots, etc.
ed who stood by Johnson when he was Militia
raj Governor
lur A small band of true men gathered around hi
on and proved true to the principles Of the Uni
an which he then professed. The men who now ella
it to be his especial friends stood afar off and woy
cs- not even speak to him on the street and when
he copperhnqd party hold their convention in Chjca