The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-05-17

sieged by the disloyal men Of the
North and South, and advised and 10.
fluenced by the worst men in the
whole country.
Without a majority in either house
of Congress, with wo.thirds aCainst
him in both houses, 40 as to set at def.
anCe bis vetoes, ,withouta single North.
ern Governor sustaining his insane
"policy," and without the Endorsement
of one loyal State, what u pitable atti.
tude for the Chief Magistrate of 50
great republic.
In conclusion, gentlemen, will be
excused by you for making few re-
marks personal to myseIf. Praise, /
feel, do not need-censure will not
injure me. The proud consciousness
Of having discharged my duty affords
mo more consolation than applause
For one, l never expect to regret
MY course as the Executive of the
State, nor repudiate the noble and pat
riOtic deeds of tho present Legisla-
tire. The scriptures say" Wo unto
those Of whom all men speak well. :"
This sentence of condemnation is not
likcly to fall upon me or the Radical
members of the Legislature. We are
not everywhere spoken of in terms of
praise. Tho friends of our country
think and speak we'll of usj the enc
mics Of our country speak Of us in
terms Of unmitigated reproach. OF
the opinions Of the former we should
feel proud toward the utterings Of
the latter we can but feel Indifferent.
Trusting that you will harmonize
upon some good and true man, of un.
doubted loyalty and firmness, and
pIedging to your nominee, IL of that
faith and order," my cordial support,
| have the honor To be, .f...'
Very truly and sincerely,
W &. BRowNLow.
After the foregoing communication
from me was received and read, the
Convention reported and adopted the
following Platform of Principles;
We, the representatives of tho loyal
people of Tennessee, in convention
assembled, are thankful to Almighty
God for the success of tho arms Of
the United States over tho army of
traitors, who sought to destroy the
best government eyerknown to man,
thereby saving us and our pOsterity
the blessings Of our republican insti.
tutions, and solution OF the hereto
fore doubtful problem that man is ca
pabIe Of selfgovernment. .r i-i
1--WE hold these truths to be self
evident" l. That all mel are
created equal, endowed with certain
inalienuble rights" and therefore
the law should afford equal protec.
ton to all in the exercise of these
rights. and, so far rs it can, insure
perfect equality under the law.
2. That State or nation
should be governed, controlled and
directed by those who have saved
it in times OF peril, and who seek
to preserve it with friendly hands
from foes and dangers, external
and internal. .......
3. That wise care for the public
safety sometimes renders it necessary
that those who have sought res
olutely TO overthrow q government
should not hastily be restored to the
privileges Of which they have de.
prived themselves, by their crime of
treason; certainly not until they have
shown evidence of sincere repentance,
and disposition as energeticuly TO
support as they have in times past
sought to destroy.
4. That tho rebellion is disfran-
chisement, and armed attempts to
overthrow our common government,
reasonable expatrialion; and tho
present franchise organic law, Is but
the declaration of the handiN Ork Of
secession and rebellion. Those who
have sought our country's rain eanuot
be entrusted with it's safety.
5. That lawless violence, reckless
disregard Of the rights OF persons and
property, murder, assassinaiiOa, arson
and kindred crimes, must be put down
by the strong arm Of power, and be
made TO feel that law is indeed ter.
ror TO evil doers.
0. Therefore, 10 accordance with
the above principles, we fully indovse
the policy and action of tho GeReral
Assembly of the Stste Of Tennessee,
in restricting the elective franchise to
those who are not hostile to tho gov.
ernment, in extending il 70 those who
proved their loyalty by importing
their lives, and who need this priv.
lege for their own protection, and in
establishing military organization
which shall give necessary physica
support to the moral power Of tht
State Government becoming aluta
ry terror TO evil doors, and cheerfu
hope to those who 10 well.
T. That the "privileGss and immu
mites guaranteed under the oonsti
tuition Of our Union to the loyal from
other States, and the pledue of free