Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-01

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at stake tomorrow, and hope the conduct
of every man of you will be such as to crown
himself and the city with credit. To-mor-
row is a great day IN Tennessee Nashville
is the capital of the State. and great appre-
tensions have been entertained of a riot
here. You have been selected TO see that the
law Is enforced, and / trust that none ofyo
will be guilty Of any act Of disorder, how
ever slight l don't want to hear of one
man OF the special police being drunk.
Should there be one among You who shall
forget his duty, he must be at once arrested,
sent to the workhouse, made to forfeit his
pay, and be forever disgraced. Everything
must be conducted with order and pro-
priety. This is no child's play.
! have said to Gen Duncan that no one
has been put upon this force because
Wing, Democrat, a Conservative. or a
Radical. 1t has been said frequently upon
the street that party distinctions have been
made, but defy any man of the special
police to say he has heard me ask or insinu-
ate anything inregardt ohis politics. Ifthere
is such man here, ! want him TO raise his
hand. Cries of Nobody Cant" | defy
any man to say that a single name has
been put down except upon recommendation.
Nashville has thus far escaped riot and
bloodshed. The whites are we'll disposed,
and the colored people have conducted
themselves as well as could be expected,
and l hope they will carry themselves
well tomorrow. | had rather forfeit my
life than see a riot in this CITY tomorrow.
Our course heretofore has been such as to
call forth the commendation Of all military
authorities, and our reputation must be
preserved. Let no man drink a drop to-
morrow. Obey the old police who have
been placed over you. They are expert
enced officers, and will see that all is right.
No trouble need be apprehended if every
man does his duty. | thank you gentlemen
for the kind attention you have given me-
SPEECH OF GEN. DUNCAN.
As Mayor Brown ceased speaking, a
long, loud call for Gen. Duncan rang
through the old markethouse, and as the
old veteran rose TO speak, three desfening
cheers welcomed him. He said
GENTLEMEN: / have no time to make a
speech, even had | the inclination. am
here az the representative of thei United
States forces, and to aid The civil authori-
ties in keeping peace and order IF we
succeed in keeping peace and order to-mo
row, will consider it the proudest mo-
ment of my life. The military shall not
approach the polls, should you be able to
keep peace. From what have observed,
believe you to he sober, reliable men,
amply competent TO maintain good order,
and | will be on hand to help you.
A round Of applause followed General
DunCan's remarks, and Mr.. Cheatham was
then called out. He spoke as follows
Mr.. CHEATHAM's SPEECH.
GENTLEMEN: We are here this evening
for the purpose of organizing for the main
tenance of law and order. This is no
holiday, or time for political speeches or
illusions. We are all alike identified
with the interests Of Nashville. Here are
our families and cur all good deal of
apprehension of bloodshed and riot has
been felt, and | confess that ten days ago
/, myself, was apprehensiYe, but when
see the kind Of feeling now manifested,
entertain no fears Of trouble. 1t augurs
well for ALL When the strong right arm
of the military is extended, not to Cypress,
but to protect, what can we look for but
peace?
In framing the bill which created this
organization, great care was taken that its
tone should partake Of nothing political,
aud / took il upon myself as Chairman of
the Police Committee, and President of the
Board of Aldermen, to explain Its provis-
ionsand the motives ofiis trainers. Iregret
that some Misrepresentation has gone out in
regard TO the appointment of this force.
No man has been appointed simply because
he was a Conservative or Radical-sobriety
and recommendation have been the only
requirements.
A delicate responsibility rests upon the
new police. An element not heretofore
clothed with the right of suffrage will meet
and mix with you at the polls to- morrow.
Bear with them patiently, and let nothing
be said or done that will be likely to create
trouble. In your hands rests the resposi-
bility.
/ must say that in the appointment of
three hundred policemen, the chances are
that some black sheep have crept in.
know there are black sheep here, but that
only renders the responsibility resting upon
vour shoulders the greater. All this work
has been accomplished in only twenty -four
hoHrs. and Mayor Brown has done it better
than | or any other man could have done
it, You of the old police will be mainly
responsible for the action of the police
under YOU, and when YOU see a man viola
ting the law, put him in the workhouse,
aud lock him up-don't take any security.
Besides the class have referred TO, there
is another against whom strong prejudice
exists in the minds Of some. l mean what
is called the militia. | am not here to say
whether these preiudices are just or unjust.
The militia is a part and parcel of the
constituted authorities, aud will act under
General Duncan, and il is your duty TO
recognize them as such. / know that pre-
JUDGES are strong against this class, but
the laws Of the State must be regarded.
Otherwise, the groundwork of riot and
disorder is laid.
All the object have in view is, to see
that all parties say fair election has
been held, and are satisfied if defeated.
All in the power Of the military will be
done, and as the representatives of the
city authorities, let il be said that you
acted wisely, soberly and for the fame Of
Nashville. Let no foul blot stain her pure
| escntcheon, and let the watchwoTd be, On
ward, now and forever.
SPEECH OF Mr.. CoTroE.
In response TO repeated calls, NJ. c.
Cotton, Esq President of the Common
| Council, next spoke, as follows:
GENTLEMEN: am not here 10 make a
| speech, but to aid in this movement. |
had hoped that party lines were wiped ont
by the blood Of the war; but it is necessary
that there should be two parties in a coun-
try like this, and, following a great strus-
gle. party excitement always runs high.
| regret the necessity of any such force as
this and trust this will be the last time we