Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-05-08

/. "That all men are created equal, en-
lowed with certain inalienabIe rights. and
therefore the law should afford equal pro-
lection TO all in the exercise Of these rights,
and, so far as it can, insure perfect equality
under the law.
2. That State or a 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.
B. That wise care for the public safety
sometimes renders it necessary that those
who have sought resolutely TO overthrow a
| government should not hastily berestored to
the privileges of which they have deprived
Themselves, by their crime Of treason; GER
tainly not until they have shown evidence
Of sincere repentance, and disposition as
theoretically to support as they have in
times past, sought to destroy.
d. That rebellion is acknowledgements, and
armed attempts to overthrow our common
government, reasonable expatriation and
the present franchise organic law, is but the
! declaration of the handiwork of secession
and rebellion. Those who have sought our
country's ruin cannot be entrusted with its
safety.
g. That lawIess violence, reckless disre-
gard of the rights of persons and property,
murder, assassination, arson and kindred
crimes, must be put down by the strong
arm Of power, and be made to feel that law
is indeed terror to evil doors
6. Therefore, in accordance with the
above principles, we fully indorse the policy
and action Of the General Assembly of the
State Of Tennessee, in restricting the cleo
tive franchise to those who are not hostile
to the government, in extending it to those
who proved their loyalty by imperilling
their lives, and who need this privilege for
their own protection, and in establishing
military organization which shall give ne
cessary physical support to the moral power
OF the State Government becoming salu-
tary terror to evil doors, and q cheerful
hope to those who do well.
z. That the privileges and irnmunities y
guaranteed under the constitution of our
Union to the loyal from other States, and
the pledge of freedom and equality in the
declaration of American independence, shall
be liring truths and practical nldriBs in Ten
nessee, for the protection of life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness"
8. That we have entire confidence in the
integrity, wisdom and ability of the Repub-
lican Union majority of Congress, and deem
it signally fortunate that they, in whom
alone the power resides to restore, preserve
and govern the country, have shown them
selves so eminently fitted for these high du-
ties, that no State should be admitted to
representation in Congress without adopt
ing the constitutional amendment.
8. That the Republican Union party Of
Tennessee are in favor Of free speech and
free discussion, and to this end we invite
our friends from other States TO come among
us, and discuss the great issues now before
the people, and we pledge the Republican
Union party Of Tennessee te tolerate all le-
gitimate discussion, and at the same time
claiming equal privileges on our part, and
that any interference to prevent this will be
regarded as an unwarranted act, and resist
ed to the last extremity.
TO- That we honor the frmness, courage
and wisdom which has characterized the
administration of our Chief Magistrate, the
Hon. VIM G. Brownlow, and while we
sympathize with him in his bodily suffering,
we admire the healthy mind, conscious to
itself of rectitude, which bears with like
equanimity, the throes of pain and the per-
ilous cares of State; and that we declare
him the unanimous choice of the loyal peo-
pie of Tennessee for our next Governor.
H. That we cover our faces with shame
when we contemplate the disgrace brought
upon our beloved State by the detection and
degeneracy of her unprincipled adopted
son, who, by the bullet of an assassin has
assembled to the Chief Magistracy of the ma
ton and we shall cordially endorse any
action of Congress which shall legitimately
deprive him of continued power to disturb
the peace of the country.
a Committee appointed by the Conven-
ton waited on me at my room in the Capt.
toll, and conducted me to the stand, where
I delivered the following speech:
Gentlemen Of the Contention
Immediately upon the organization of this
body, addressed You a communication
which YOU did me the honor to read from
this stand. In that communication l told
you that thought you could better serve
the interests of the State and of the Repub-
liean party, than by nominating me for
Governor, in the present condition of my
health. In making that statement / was
opinion, and with absolute unanimity have
nominated me fer a second term. As / do
not propose to set up my Judgment against
the opinions of such body of men as this,
it only remains for me to accept your NOM
nation, which / now do, with profound
sense of the honor conferred upon me, and
of the Endorsement of my principles and
conduct
shall look TO you and the loyal men of
the State, irrespective Of color, to back me
in the approaching bitter canvass, and to
sustain me at the ballot-bOx. And it may
be well enough for me to advise you of the
load you will have to carry. ! expect to be
-eharged with dictation, psurpation, viola
ton OF the constitution-with lying, per-
Jury, stealing, forgery and counterfeitEg
And by whom? By rebel demagogues on
the stump, and by rebel newspaper men,
who are alike lost to all sense of honor and
shame. blind TO all the beauties Of patriot
ism. and stepped TO the nose and chin in
treason and political prohigacy.
Gentlemen. retire from the stand, by as
surfing YOU that had sooner suffer defeat as
the Republican candidate, standing upon
your platform, than to succeed as the candi-
date of tho so-called Conservative party
And had sooner be elected by dark-skin
lovalists than to be elected by the votes of
fair-skin traitors.
Finally. if this Legislature, which has
done so many noble deeds, shall adjourn
without enacting a well guarded law, com
pensating loyal men for losses sustained by
the late rebellion, advise you to make the
issue upon every stump in Tennessee, ana
send up bodyof men here next October
who will enact such q law.
" Whatever Of blame or praise is due to the
Legislature for cnnfarrir,,. IL 81. ~ snf