Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-08-07
Ratification Meeting a, Springfield.


Although it can not be said that the
meeting at Springfield, last Saturday,
was the "largest and most enthusias-
tic" ever witnessed, 1t can be truly
said that It was as respectable and by
far the most orderly gathering Of the
kind we have ever attended. The
character of the audience assured us
that the real interests of the county
were represented, and thatt the people
of old Robertson, though not so noisy
in their demonstrations as some, are
nevertheless wide awake in the pres
ent contest between the friends of
peace and universal liberty on the one
hand, and Radicalism, violence and
oppression on the other. Though re-
ally nothing more than spectators of
the great battlesoon be fought they
are determined not to be silent ones.
The meeting was called to- order at
10 O'Clock A. NJ, by Capt. Bennett,
President Of the Robertson county
Democratic Club, and series of res
olutions were read and unanimously
adopted, endorsing the action Of the
National Democratic Convention,
pledging a hearty support to Seymour
and Blair, demanding equal political
rights for all men, deprecating any
thing calculated to inaugurate civil
war in this State, and advocating ev-
cry honorable sacrifice on the part of
our people to avert internecine strife.
Speeches were made by Judge
Guild, Hon. Jno. F. House, Col. Jas.
l.. Bailey and Hon. j. s. Golladay,
of Kentucky. Wetook copious notes
of the speeches, but our want of space
prevents their insertion, much to our
regret, Us they were manly, able and
oloquent--differing very materially
firm othe inflammatory appeals man
ufactured by Radical papers and car
pet bag penny-a-liners, and published
in the North rs the sentiments of UNI
reconstructed rebels. The speakers
warned the people against falling in
to tile snare set for them by the Radi-
cal party. The only hope left the Jac-
obins was to stir up bad passions and
incite deeds of violence i'm the South,
out of which to make political capt.
tai at the North. The people had
borne much, and must forbear yet
awhile longer. 1t would be best for
us, and for our friends ut the North
that We quietly submit to the admin
istration of the usurpers now in power,
and obey the laws, however odious,
unconstitutional and oppressive. But
there was point beyond which "for-
bcarance ceased to be virtue" If
pressed too far, there were natural
rights which every man was bound
to defend, and we would defend those
rights at all hazards. We would obey
the laws, proscriptivc rs they are, but
if Brownlow's pets were again quar-
tered upon us to shoot down respecta-
BILE ipoflensive citizens, insult women
and rob hen roosts at will, we must
and would defend our persons, our
property, and the honor of our wives
and daughters. ....
The Hon. John +. House was par
ticularly severe upon that part of the
Governors message relating to the
Kuklux. Hcsaid that that dignitary,
in charging the rebel soldiers in this
State with having violated the terms
of their surrender, promulgated an
infamous Islander upon class of gal
liant men, one drop of whose blood
would enrich the veins of u thousand
such miserable caricatures upon hui
manity rs William G. Brownlow.-
No nation on earth could boast of an
example to equal the fidelity with
which this tainted, misrcpresented
and maligned ,eK-soldlery had OBJ
served the terms of their surrender
in all the history of the world there
was no instance recorded of n conquer
ed people having kept their plighted
honor more inyiolate. The charge
WAS utterly false, and unworthy even
,of the crazy old paralytic who dis
'graces the Guhernatorial chair of the
:State. We regret that our want OF
space forblds more extended synop-
sis Of the speakers remarks upon this
subject. In the name of the gallant
boys who wore the gray, we thank
him for his able and eloquent Tefuta-
tation of this foul Islander upon their
stainless honor
The Hon, J. $. Golladay was of the
opinion that we must resist no en-
croachments upon our rights, We
were powerless, and at the mercy of II
relentless foe. We might settle the
matter ri Ct drHliS, SO far rs the State
troops were concerned, but the Radi-
cal Congress and the Radical Com
mander of the United States army
would not see one Of their strongholds
ovcrthrown, They would send troops
10 the rescue, and We would be still
more sorely oppressed than If we had
tamcly submitted to every indignity
heaped upon us. We differ very ma
tcrially with him on this point. Alb
ject submission 10 every mdignity
that may he heaped upon us, is no cN-
hibition of n law abiding spirit; on
the contrary, it is actually encourage
inc n Violation OF tho law In thms sub.