Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-18

have seen, with profound regret, disposition
among some Republicans 10 form party upon the |
platform that Tennessee shall be ruled only BY
tive Tennesseesns, and lha, ours shall be q white
mans government" ] cannot but regard ell such |
movements as alike ineEpedient unjust and mis- |
chievous will enter into no sectionslizing con-
spracy to prescribe Northern men. viii not con-
sent, for one that fraud and oppression shall be
prsctieed upon the solored man. Nor viii /, now
or hereafter, lend my humble influence 70 the sup
port Of any man for Office who may plant himself
upon such platform. In government Inks ours
political parties cDly can and only ought TO succeed
permanently rs they are based on the great princi
piles Of right and justice. Only these can give Co
herence, stability and endurance 10 party Ths
evil alluded 10 outragas eli those principles. can
not but warn my fellow-ejazsns against error 40
fragrant and injurious Il win not bsar the light Of
honest scrutiny. The colored man has vindicsted
hil right TO freedom and 10 exercise the full fran
chises Of complete manhood and citizenship by his
loyalty to the Gag during the dark hours Of rebel
lion by his manly heroic patriotism as a soldier Of
the Republic, and by his political afliation both in
Tennessee and elsewhere-hut especially in Tennes-
ses-With the loyal men Of the nation. For Repub-
lcsns in Tennessee after al this to prescribe and
depress him and to limit his privileges would be
the most outrageous injustice. Negro testimony,
negro suffrage and negro elevation generally are
the results Of the rebellion brought on BY the slave
holders themselves. The ghost Of slavery hsunts
these practical NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. rebels-at
every step in the successive stages Of the negrOs
advancement 10 the rights Of manhood. Upon no
thing are they more sensitive hsn TO see this Afr-
can MordecAi sitting in the kings gate" To the
extent that Republicans can be drawn into the
senseless elsmor against negro equality and in
favor Of "a white mans government" SO called, to
the same extent are they weakening their own party
and giving aid 70 that Of the rebels. In every po-
sition where we have placed the colored man. he
has proved himself true and trusty We will not
now throw him OF and aid in his degradation.
So In reference 10 this native Tennessee question
It Is mans right or business 20 inquire Of can
dldste for Office on which side Of Mason and Dix
ons line be was born This is narrow, sectional
proscripticn-the very spirit that animated the
cause Of rebellion. Verify we have had enough Of
sectionalism 70 suffice for century The old tests
Of fitness for Office al that is necessary us the
candidate bonest7 Is he cspRblep We shall GER
tsinly not commit the folly Of adding this "wss
he born in Tennessee g7
When the gallant Union army came South 10
suppress the slAvehoders rebellion, loyal men Of
Tennessee we're clamoTous for their entrance into
our State. We did not then stop TO inquire whether
the soldiers coming for our rescue were Tennes-
seesns New Euglsnders; whether they hailed
from New York or Minnesota; from Ohio or Mis-
souri--snd surely We shall not now, after they have
helped to conquer the right 90 live in Tennessee
aud assert ourselves under the forms Of law, turn
upon them and deny them the right to hold Office
among us because they happen to be of Northern
birth Should the Republicans Of Tennessss, as a
party, adopt policy narrow SO unjust, they
would deserve the defeat which such folly would
make inevitable
What we need party in this State is harnc,
ny and concert Of action becoming the great i'm
pending contest With these, our success Is az
sured. 1t will be grand, decisive. II suffer bad
men 70 divide and distract our ranks wo shall be
defeated Our defeat in the Preside initial election
would be an nelpressibs calamity almost ir-
reparabe disaster.
So far as the approaching contest is concerned
look for it to be one OF the most bitter and exciting
that has occurred in this country within the reco-
lection Of the present generation. The indications
are very plain that General Grant will be the NOM
Inee Of the great Republican party His name is at
once the synonym of victory and the guarantee Of
law, order and right II is equally apparent that
Andrew Johnson unless rendered incapable by
impeachment, viii be the nominee of the Demo !
cratic party-a party composed Of the odds and
ends Of all the defunct parties in the country, and
bad men-the worst men Of the North and South. !
His whole Presidential record, since February %, /
1866 is prophecy OF his capabilities for evil should
he be reelected. Should these men be the standard
bearers Of their respective parties il is not difficult
TO determine what viii be alike the duty and the
pleasure of true men, whether in Tennessee or else
where.
With the platform adopted by our late State |
Convention you are already familiar. scarcely /
need say 10 you that it entirely sccords with my
own views Of public policy both in the Nation and
the State. 1t deserves, snd doubt not it will re-
ceive your hearty endorsement and your unwsver-
ing support
In the wisdom, talents and patriotism Of the Ma
tionsl Convention soon to assemble In Chicago, |
have the utmost confidence. Whoever they may |
nominate, and upon whatever platform they shah |
agree let US rally 70 their support with slacrity
unanimity and zeal. Success, wen by these means |
viii well repay the price il will cost US.
II the Republican ticket prevails, l FIRMLY be-
heve It will, all will DO well, sud the country win
be safe The great objects for which our loyal fell
low-coantrymen fought snd suffered, and for which
a hAfmillion Of them offered their lives-nations |
integrity, national liberty, in It's fullest and best
sense and national prosperity and peace including
also the welfare of the several States, viii be Sc
cured only by the success Of the Republican party
in the coming election
On the other hand, should johnson, or any other |
Democrat Of his school, be elected, ewing his cleo
ton to the traitors North and South there can be
no doubt be will serve them and their cause to the
extent Of his abilities producing worse state Of
affairs than existed during the rebellion. In such
an event, Union men IN Tennessee will have to |
lock elsewhere for homes Already, the .o-called |
Conservatives are displaying their ihsolenoe and /
their disposition to tyrannize and oppres, in every
division Of the State They only need % succeed |
with johnson sc leader, to induce general cut
break; the reign Of injustice, oppression and pro
Boripton dark and cruel that il viii be mposs-
bic that free loyal liberty loving people can longer
remain here.
Andrew johnson has At length, so openly and /
wantonly broken the lave and defed the lav-mak- !
ing power that after great forbesranee on tie part
Of Congress, he stands impeaohed before the high
eat Judicial BODY in the nation Ter high crimes and
misdemeanors Ha couvicsion viii doubtless soon
follow, as well as bic degradation from Office and
his disqualification from ever again hllinR any Office