Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-22
THE CONVENTION TODAY.


The convention of the Radical party Of
this State, called to nominated candidate
for Governor and effect an organization
for the election to he held in August, as
sembles in this city today This, its
members have a perfect right to do The
prerogatiye of any portion Of the people
peacefully to assemble and declare their
views, and adopt Just and lawful meas
ures to make them effective, is sacred
one We hope never to see it denied or
infringed 1t is a right to be tolerated
and upheld no matter what the principles
that may be propounded. The only limit
to it, is that which restrains such assem-
blages from overt acts against the govern
mant under which those who participate
live The principles which may animate
such body may be pernicious to the last
degree; the objects had in view may, in
the judgment of many, portend great
damage to the common veal; but we
would not be a free people if this priyi-
lege did not exist So far then as the
conventions right to meet is concerned,
it is unchallenged
tits not difficult to say, however, in
advance, and with perfect certainty, that
it, acts and sentiments will be the subject
Of attack; and we desire to avail Ourself
of this occasion to admOnish its supports
ers that those who differ and see fit to
oppose them have rights as perfect as their
own; and to advertise them that they in
tend to maintainthOs rights. We antici-
pate that much fierce speaking will be
INDUCED in, and that denunciations, loud
and deep, viii be pronounced against all
who entertain conservative opinions We
infer that the main object will be to or
ganize plans for the rigid enforcement of
the franchise law, and all the auxiliary
schemes concocted to make good the lease
of power the Radical party now holds
Its language will be Incorporate; and its
action will be in accord with the uncon-
stitutional antecedents which it has
made 1t is a minority seeking to
make itself majority, by means in viola
ton Of the fundamental law 1t is Fore
ing issues of the most alarming character
The men who compose it are mourning
terrible responsibilities They must ex-
pect to be met by men who claim to have
an equal share and stake in the govern,
ment, in the spirit which becomes men.
The majority of the white men Of Ten
nessee are not slaves They never can
be made such They know how to be
patient, tolerant and law-abiding. They
deprecrate angry controversy in the as
sertion of their inalienable rights, as
freemen They viii not be the first to
inaugurate it They purpose to adoptevery
lawful means becoming good citizens, to
protect themselves in their just priv
leges. They do not seek to be forced to
look to any other mode of securing them
selves against intolerable oppression
They ardently desire peace, and the re-
turn of all their fellow-citizens of every
phase of politics to the paths of pros
perity. If strife and discord comes they
will be driven to absolutely driven.
We say this in all candor, and with the
hope that it may moderate the senti-
ment that, We fear, is too likely to pre-
vail in the body at the capitol to-day. 1t
is not presumed that it will have any
considerable influence, but as the we'll
weighed suggestion of one Of the repre-
sentatives of the party in opposition, de-
string that no further threatening shape
shall be given TO the aspect of affairs, it
is offered for what they may consider 1t
worth