Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-13
BEN. n. IIILL's ARGUMENT.


A discussion conducted with much
spirit and ability has for some time been
pending between the prominent men Of
Georgia, regarding the proper action to
be taken by the people Of that State on
the convention to be held under the mill
tary reconstruction bill Ex-Governor
Brown has championed the support Of
the convention and the organization
Of the State government under it.
while ex-Confederate Senator, b. II. Hill
has been the leader Of the opposition.
We have not given the publications on
either side, but find in the Augusta
Chronicle and Sentinel a condensation of
the points Of Mr. Hills argument which
viii serve to show the merits Of the
controversy. Mr.. Hill desires Governor
Brown to answer as follows:
/. Are the military bills in his opinion
constitutional
2 Are said bills in accordance with the
laws Of nations? If 50, according to what
autbor2
3. Has Congress any existence, much less
power, outside Of the constitution? If so,
how far
A. Can the conquerer in any war, add 10
terms of fight after the fight is over ? or
add to the conditions of surrender after the
surrender has been accepted? Does not
every respectable author, ancient or mod
ern, heather or Christian, denounce the at
tempt so to add, rs Infamous, as treaeher-
Gus, a. a new and Just cause Of war? What
author is an exception?
s. IS there not greatdifierence between
supporting an act of Congress, whose con-
stitntionality is doubtful as a question of
construction, and which, therefore, must be
executed and obeyed until set aside BY the
courts, and a bill which seeks to do what
the constitution, in plain, unqualified Ian
guage, says shall not be done, and which
the very author admits is outside of the
constitution? Can anything be justified as
outside Of the constitution which the con-
stitution says shall not be done?
6. If General Pope, or the President, or
any other power, now, in time of peace,
shall execute a citizen under sentence of
military commission, without the "pre-
sentiment or indictment of Grand jury"
without a trial by ajury," will it not be
murder? And are not citizens as much
entitled to jury trial in territory as in
State?
Z. Is Georgia, in your opinion, not
State in the Union?
Do you believe that disfranchisement,
confscation, and the abrogation Of existing
State govern ments can be forced in viola
ton OF law, State and Federal, without ul-
innate violence and collision? And do you
believe the white race can be forced under
the government Of the black race without
a war of races?
9. Do you believe the Union can be re-
stored, or our troubles settled, or peace
secured, or prosperity revived, by violating
the constitution by subjecting citizens TO
military government; by disregarding the
terms Of surrender; by destroying State
governments; by degrading the white race;
by bringing the promises Of the United
States into disrepute, and making the ma
lion infamous in the eyes Of all civilized
people?
10 Are these enormities in any degree
more tolerable because the only real object
is to perpetuate the Radical party in power,
and crafty the hate Of individual leaders
Of that party