Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-28


In the Judgment of the friends of the govern
ment that contingency arose and demanded
| the exercise of the power granted. The causes
| which led 10 the exercise of this power we're:
| the prOscriptive course of those lately in armed
! rebellion against the government toward the
friends of the government. In possession Of IL;
| the violent and denunclatOry character Of the
| leading journals renewed in the interval of the
overthrewu Confederacy aud againstthe Union
lists. II was the stern argument Of seh-protec-
tion that induced the Republicans to report to
a measure not only harsh to them, but ViOlatiye
of their cherished principles
1t was strictly a measure of defense, and, IN
der the circumstances proper; and intended 70
| be transient in its duration. 1t was to last so
long as the causes that had induced 1t should
| last 1t was the design Of every original and
consistent Unionist tina. this measure should
terminate as sOOn as the temper Of their oppo-
| nents would permit with satetya reform at once
| desirable and salutary.
| 1t did not originate ia spirit Of revenge or
| for the purpose of inhictlng any penalty upon
| those on whom it was designated to operate,
1 for any part they had taken in the rebellion.
| 1t is true those who participated in the rebel
1 lion are excluded from the right, because it was
1 regarded unsafe to the State and dangerous to
/ the peace and happiness of those who had been
| loyal for them to WELD SO great a power before
| the passions and pTejudiees engendered by the
The practical question now before the country
i is /: Has the time arrived for breaking down the
barriers TO universal enfranehisement In my
| judgment it has.
The current of public opiniOn on all sides is
| agIinst the restriction. and the States of Ten
| nessee and Missouri, that alone adhere 10 II,
/ cannot long Withstand the force of that power
| 1t is incompatible with the eheIished views
| and professed principles OF tue Republican
/ party II is inconsistent with the idea Of
| republican government, as now maintained, TO
/ exclude 50 large q part of the citizens. and
| those representins so much Of the taxable pro-
1 perry of the State from the ba lot.
| The generous character of the President elect,
who brings to the office Ofthe Executive so large
| a share OF popular influence. and an ardent de-
/ sire for the restoration OF the States TO their
| former relations and for the reconciliation OF
/ their disafected people, should meet with y
| heartily response from every patriotic heart.
| For this reason the present appears TO me most
auspiciOus period for the cOnsummation OF so
desirable result 10 this State as the restoration
| of all to the enjoyment Of this right
The Republican party are certainly ready to
make the same generous concession to shose OF
| their own race that they have male to differ
| These sentiments have been uttered by me,
| not only freM my conviction of their prOpriety
| and right. but from firm belief that those
| citizens now DISTINGUISHED will meet the issues
| before the country in the same disinteTested
and generous spirit Of forbearanee and respect
| We are all of the some race. We have in
| heritsd from common ancestors the same desire
| for liberty, the same glorious memories to love.
We have a common object and a common des-
| tiny. 1t Is but the common and implacable
! enemy Ofmanklnd that would fix perpetual bar
| riers against social and political communion in
| tue same State and race. IL IS in vain 10 await
| the consent OF all 10 Degln the neeQlul reIOTuls
| Ii the ambition and cupidity Of all are to be
| consulted, generation after generation must
sleep lis last long sleep before an effort will be
/ Dut forth in the right direction. The object is
| yood one and the consequences must in The end.
| be like It. The sooner it is begun the sooner
| the whole people will be restored to harmony
| and prosperity.
session OF the government should begin and con
summate this work. Let it be a tn rough. gem
erOus tribute to the spirit Of charity and liberty.
= L,5 haasa fha7r a 10. avfo
| boundaries Of freedom, let them press forward
| With unwavering faith in their principles, NOT
! doubling that they will win those who seek the
good of the State and the nation if their princl-
/ | pies are true. 1t is source Of modification
| and shame to see citizens of the State stripped
! of the attributes Of men. The measures for the
| enforcement of the restriction ar harsh and dis
: | tasteful to many of the truest Union men in thG
State, and are fraUght with Injustice and danger
J | TO those who inaugHrated them If not admins
! | tered BIZ the highest wisdom and purity.
| Ifthe sympathies and memories Of those who
| engaged in the rebellion are to cement into
!. 1 union all who followed that course, it must de
! Feat every generous effort to give peace to thu
: | country. 1.-THE cry against Radiealism is mad
: | i mere preteXt to regain power and to perpetu
ate tbs cause Of secession, IL will result in pc
q litical and social prescription far more fatal q
| peace and republican principles than the pre-
= | sent franchise law. l cannot believe that tn
citizens of the State will, for a moment, enter
tain so erroneous view. They will look rattle
, 70 their material Interests than 10 past dIteT
u ences.
9 inc passport to tranquil prosperity in tn
e State must be by the remuneration Of all ylndic
= tiyGness and spirit OF prescription Of our fellow
!, | citizens on account OF the past lt must b
I | through the mutpal pride Of our common ma
y tionality, and a righteous desire to promote II
y | glory a perpetuate its unity and the grea
l. | principles unOn which twas founded.
am not prepared to speak for Gen. Graz
:, further than my judgment formed from his pei
~ !, sonal character and his past course. Estima
u ing his policy from these lights. do not hes
~ tate TO promise the country an eminently jus
= | wise, national and patriotic administration.
10 | Gen. Grant has attained already all that n
~ | man ambition could desire, save one thing, ar
u that is the restoration Of the Union to peac
10 prosperity and its former reign Of civil COVER
~ | ment. administered by the unrestricted voice
ne the governed To achieve this grand result 7
- mains 70 ill the full measure Of all that hum'
ambition could desire. This will be an achley
- ment compared with which his great militia
n triumpbs are Insignificant. The work lies D
n fore him inviting his influence aud purpOs
- | Nor is it one of difficulty. 1t demands p
,rs thence, wisdom, patriotism and large LOWE
national heart l cannot doubt that GeneT
- Grant will bring these qualifications 70 Z
II | work He will endeayOT to select his Cabin
e; | from among that class Of citizens known to
"a truly national in character and free from stro
partisan bias and sectional prejudice. such
be course will command the respect and con
Nv dsuce Of the whole people and secure tn
he support. ,
~ Through all his past eyentful career. he
shown a generous fOrbearance and magnal
dir nous and liberal policy towards als enemies a
an friends
- ME complain of his cOndi lens or his fidelity
- his pledges when made. In war ne b exh
"a tied his regard for his cOuntrymen IN error, a
q now that peace has come and come TO sta
u | he will he no less devoted to christian char
"a and patriotic magnanimity. He will DO all u
'"N a humane ju, and eneYOlent Chief Magstr
or | can do to recOnsile every element OF society
81 | The lust and peaceful rule Of the republic.
~; I would be useless to name the many instances
his generous and liberal spirit They are kno
the | and admitted by every one at all conVers
- | with the great events OF the war.
90 | Gen. Grant has shown great eapRelty IN
e.. | selection of his agents in the work before b
bas 1t is not to be supposed that Oh TINS, the 81
sn event of his life. he will display less wisdom
~ 1 will be a great blessing to our country II !
oct | choice will fall upon men IN whom the WI
md country cOnfde. and whom our southern
80 | loW.citiEens, now so sensitive 20 their cor
III | ton can believe to be their friends, or 81
tbe rate who are disposed t. embrace them wit
Fnro the protecting and fostering arms OF the gov'
- | ment IL would be extremely unfortunate
e. | choice should be made that might tend to 10
| nifty their fears and chill their returning DC
jo.I | of Equality and respect. The tenderest res
- | and the most enlarged and liberal policy snC
~ | at once be manifested towards these poo
nv Our government IS to be maintained by It's
80 | tice and capacity to protect and uphold
IN | rights and interests of all Its citizens, raj
a. | than nv its power to subdue and punish.
- &c superior merits must be so exhlted as 70 WIN
iii love and devotion of lts citizens, Inc pc
- - are satisfied with Gen. Grants kindness and
me- Triorism: it remains for him TO surround him
~ with a ministry that shall command
| confidence. and his administration Will WIN
~ | only the respect, but the love OF the great
b;nb | Of the people throughout the republic
nifty All the quSsISOns t az noooie have baan
tbs | tied. The country generally has aequlesceI
yood | the result. 1t is not probable now that
subject calculated to mar the general tend
of 20 | 10 peace will arise during the coming adm
g ~ | ration The function of the adHiRlstra
,ther will be to reconcile the dlIanee5ed ana enc
IONS age the responding by its broad PATRIOTISM
nosi, national liberality. believe can saiel!
sure the country that Gen. Grant Will ende
10 meet the lust expectation OF those VINO II
pre- | love their government IN reference 10 us ~
come | aud character.
ltual Asto the policy Of impartial suffrage has
pro- | avoWed for the South by the party that ele
ana General Grant to the presidency and tne
some | Of II Is committed to manhood suffrage, ca
col doubt that he will exert his influence to 81
The an amendment of the constitution provide
c de- universal suffrage. The subject OF univ
rela- omnsstv ia hut ths work of time. Ia a
e en- Dariod II will be no question before the cOu
own 1t is no longer practical issue. NO man
- suppOses that there will be either trials or
unity ishments for offenses committed during the
dered The work of amnesty may now be consider
zen oil reduced to those affected by the operation
ma third section of the fourteenth article OF the
hyeFt stitution Congress has the power 10 re
ithles these and must in a short period perform
for work / do not doubt that Gen. Grant '
1uOhc favor such an amendment OF the eOnsutul
pro- any good would result from 1t.
nts OF The pardoning power Is properly an exec
Is IN one and should never have been disturbe
per- | cannot but regard any interference Win
| power assigned by the trainers OF the Con
hould | ton 10 the various Departments as eGtr'
st ad- Tongerons TO the safety of the government
slppl' | example set by Mr.. Lincoln and followed
peace, | johnson, has commanded the approval 2
IL IS | civilized world, and will secure the faYt
nat he yardict # posterity. The President elec
trust not set aside policy so marked BY chr
abil- | charity and so consistent with the pTesen
TO his In the firm hope of soon seeing our co
vs. eT- restored to its former prosperity and pa
/ anti M