Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-07-31

intolerable oppression. We cordially |
reiterate the manly language of our own
Declaration of Rights, which asserts
that: Government being instituted for
the common benefit, the doctrine of non
resistance against arbitrary power and
oppression, is absurd, slayish, and de-
structiye of the good and happiness of
mankind" We are far from finding
fault with the first clause Of the Decla-
ton of Rights, to which Mr.. Ewing re.
fers, which is as follows
"All power is inherent in the people,
and all free governments are founded on
their authority, and instituted for their
peace, safety and happiness; for the adj
vancement of these ends they have at all
times an unden liable and iHdefeasibIe right
TO alter, reform, or abolish the government,
in such manner as they may think proper"
But when Mr.. Ewing says, as we I'M
dcrstand him to do, that on the grounds
specified by him, (nOne of which as facts
are We inclined to deny) Z" the whole
State having got into a groove, in which,
whatever the consequences, it must run
forever without some irregular and extatic
exertiOn, then the time has come in which
the people must release themselves by
direct and immediate action under the
clause of the Constitution just quoted
that is to say, by proceeding to "alter
reform or abolish the government in such
manner as they shall think proper" when
Mr. Ewing urges, too, that this shall be
done "by direct and immediate action ;
and that "if such action should be re-
sisted by force, that force should be re-
pulsed; )" then, we say in response, that
We are altogether opposed to any such
proceeding as that suggested by him, and
that we confidently believe that the peO-
pie of the State are equally disinclined
to any such direct and immediate ac-
ton" as that now recommended to
them Such action, attempted un~
der present circumstances, would
certainly bring on civil war. No
man Of sense can suppose that we
should find it possible to abolish the pres
ent State government without engaging
in open war with those in power. EV~
cry man of sense is bound to know that
should we, at this moment, attempt to
hold Constitutional Convention for such
a purpose, Governor BroWnlOw would
make an effort to prevent its assemblage.
He has 30 declared, more than once, and
his action herein cannot be doubted.
Should his preventive efforts be resisted
in arms, or "repulsed," as Mr.. Ewing adj
vises, viii not Governor BrOwnlow be
sure to call upon General Thomas for
military support, if it should be needed
And would not the military support be
granted2 Will not our people, if they
take Mr.. Ewings advice, find themselves
at once at war with the State govern
ment and also with the United States
Government Will they not be plunged
into most unequal and destructive cons
fict under circumstances which will ut
terly forbid them to expect aid from any
quarter Would not such a movement
on'our our partinfalliby defeat the Demo-
cratic Presidential ticket in the ap-
preaching election, aad fix US in
our present state of degrading
servitude permanently Is it not far
better to bear even our present grieVOus
wrongs a little longer than try this dams
gerous experiment ? Is it not better for
us to await for few months, at least, the
chapter of accidents Is it not better
still to rely on the constituted authorities
Of the country for ultimate justice and
deliyerance ? Upon a Democratic adj
ministratiOn almost sure to come into
power next March Upon a just and
enlightened supreme court Of the Union,
which, at its very next session, will be
very certain to declare our, Merchandising
acts unconstitutional VIII it not be bet
ter to look yet to our State Legislature
now in session little longer for the ac,
acknowledgement Of our long suspended
rights, and the restoration of the public
happiness At any rate, if war is to
come, will it not be best to let this
war originate altogether in the lawless
and tyrannical action of others, we re-
naming strictly On the defensive ? May
we not in this way, most reasonably ex-
pect to possess the sympathies of our
countrymen elsewhere, and of good men
throughout the world, whilst avoiding al
together the terrible responsibility Of
snkindling the fercest and most sanguin.
airy war that mankind have yet known
There are grave constitutional ques-
tons belonging to this subject, from the
discussion of which, under different cir
cumstances, we should not shrink, but
which viii only now be limited at We
invoke Mr.. Ewing and those enjoying
his eounsels to examine these questions
cody and fairly, before theys proceed
with their contemplated attempt TO pull
down the present State government in
the hasty and informal manner now
menaeed in opposition to the will of
those in power in opposition to the pre-
sent Radical Congress and with nothing
like certainty thst President johnson
would regard it as his duty to withhold
FROM Governor Brownlow and the pre-
sent State Legislature the military aid of
the general government in such strug-
gle, or that he would even have it in his
power to do so, were such his inclina-
ton.
We undertake to say to Mr.. Ewing |
and others now approving his letter (if |
there be such) that if they win look into
the luminous decision of Chief Justice