Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-25

The white Unionists Jared but little better Even
in Montgomery, under the very eye of the military
authorities loyal men were hooted at and ieere3
and cured At every street corner and beouled with
every vile epithet caeulaed TO stir up violence and
blood-shed, because they had dared to vote.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
This muoh-sbused constitution is another reason
for her admission Il is said 10 be harsh and vim
dictive. read it otherwise. 1t invites al men 10
political brotherhood and equal rights. Il iniures
no man. Let as look at The article upon franchise
In order that may not misrenresent this article
give Il entire:
aIt shall be the duty 81 the General Assembly TO
provide from time 10 time for the registration Of
Rll electors but ths following classes Of persons
shall not be permitted TO register, vote, bold Of
fee:
aFirst. Those who. during the late rebellion. in
fcted or caused 70 bo inflicted any cruel or unu-
susl punishment upon any soldier sailor, or marine
employee or citizen Of the United States or who In
any other way violated the rules Of civilized var
fara.
aSecond. Those who may be disqualified from
holding Office by the proposed amendment Of the
constitution Of the United States known article
fonrtsen, and those who have been disqualified from
registering tc vote for delegates TO the convention
to frame constitution for the State OF Alabama
under the act Of Congress 10 provide for the most
efficient government of the rebel States, passed by
Congress Marsh 2, 1867, and the acts supplement
construction proposed by Congress, aud eecept the
political equality Of all men before the law Pro-
vided, That tie General Assembly shall have pow
or 70 remove the disabilities incurred under this
clause 49,. tl. - s-s5 so
Third. These who shall have been convicted Of
treason sfnbezzelnent Of public funds malfessance
in Office, crime punishable By law With imprison-
msnt IN the penitentisry, or bribery.
"Fourth. Those who are idiots OF insane.
All persons, before registering, must take and
subscribe to the following oath: |, $50
solemnly swear [or afhrm) that win support and
maintain the constitution and Jaws oil the onitea
States and the constitution hnd laws OF the state
Of Alabama; that am not excluded from regis.
tering by any of the clauses in seon three srtele
seven, Of the constitution Of tha State pt Alabama
that will never countenRnce or aid IN the secession
of this State from The United States; that accept
the civil and political equality of all mem and agree
not 10 attempt TO deprive any person or persons, on
account Of race, color previous condition, OF any
political or civil right privilege, or immunity en-
loved by any other class Of men and, furthermores
that win not in any way iDjure, or countenanee
in others any attempt TO fnure any person or per
sons, account Of past tr present support ol tpe
government of the Unit:d States, the laws of the
United States or the principles Of political and civil
equality Of al men, for athliation with any po-
litical party" -.
When these iisaualiacations are wrong humanity
will have greasly progressed or rstrogaded.
kFzICAEIzIHe THE SOUTH. ~ h
IL is said by the opponents Of this bill and OF re-
construction, that the great object in view IS TO en-
throne anegro domination at the South. The
President, in bis message to the second session OF
this Congress, If l may be allowed TO allude TO so
disreputable document says ~
dOf all the dangers which our nation has yet en-
eountered. none are equal to those which must re-
sult from the success of the effort now making to
Africanize the half of our country" -
A fitting declaration TO q message that opened
with the announcements to the world from the Pres
dent of the UEited States that there was no
Union" ,-E Tfa s5F
"Candor colnpes me TO declare that at this time
there is no Union as our fathers understood the
term and as they meant it te be understood by us.
This is worthy only of James Buchanan or the
assassin-successor of Abraham Lincoln. No legti-
mate successor of freedoms greatest apostle
could have uttered such language If 1t be NEGRO
domination or Afrieanizing the South TO en-
thrcns human liberty so efeotually as to permit
even the poor African the slave of centuries, to sit
at its feet, may God hasten such domination.
Not only does Alabama desire admission, and be-
roicay has struggled for reconstructon but anoth-
or reason for the passage Of this bill Is
fHr sourH MUST BE RxcoNsTRucTED.
Three years Of proclaimed peace have passed.
over the country. This dead weight ought no lon
gcE To senouuDber us. Craftsmanship ought TO &C.
complish and can accomplish this Last marvel oi
free Institutions. New and grand developments
higher and better, await u.s. Let US hurry to thoir
contamination. Let reconstruction proceed.
auEDER WEIGH KTga?'
This Is the question involved in the admission OF
Alabama. Who shall be allowed TO reconstruct
Alabama--rebels or Union men The spirit Of
loyalty and human progress or The demoniaO spirit
of slsvery7 Shall Alabama remain out Of the
Union till the disunionsts prescribe the terms upon
which she shall sater2 Ny constituents sent mt
| here TO use no " bGted breath in behalf Of loya
men at the South; and if It was necessary 70 giv'
new precedent In order TO give loyal men control
the South not to lose the golden opportunity to Sc
them. These States are to be brought back, bu
ought only to be brought back Union end foremost
SECOND sEcrIoN.
The noble second section Of this bin meets M
hearty concurrence. In my opinion it is absolutely
| vital TO maintain republican governments at tn
| South. It reads thus:
SEC. 2. And be Il Jartks@e1acted, That said Stat
| OF Alabsma shall be recognized and admitted int
| the Union upon the following fundamental C0ndi
tions That the right of suffrage Of citizens OF tn
United States shall never be denied or abridged il
said State on account Of race or color or previou
condition Of slavery, and Congress shall have tn
power to annul any act Of said State in violation
in derogation Of the provisions of this act.
This Is the last shovelful Of earth upon slavery
Take this bill and incorporate this provision in al
enabling acts for the rebel States and freedom ha
triumphed, even at the South, and l rejoice. Bu
there le 6omethlb5 IN bnh Oase DetteF thah hiSu
ment
81 would not always reason
There are motives in the heart of man .ar highe
and better than any logic of the schools o5 narroy
precedents Of law. The impulse in every patriot
heart, think is to admit Alabama. Her men
the mountains clung to the Union till the air wa
hled with bowie-knivos and halters and the ma
scorpion-whip of false public opinion drove ther
they knew not whittier. At the doors of the Amel
lean Congress she stands to-day asking for admit
I tance--ssking for her old place in the family {
Stsses--holding in her hand constitution ths
breathes in every line devotion 20 liberty, loyalt
and human rights, and voted for by seventy thor
sand ltiyal men. Shall it be said that we refuse
her admission because Of the lack Of rebel votes
No sir If be left to stand alone will give 10 u
proposition of the gentleman from Pennsylvani
tMr. Stevens the poor sanction of my unqualiae
approval. By this enactment we shall give To
Union children Of Alsbama proteetion-the poo
privilege of living IN the State and being loyal
We shall give them peaos--s word Of unutterabl
meaning, incomprehensible save 10 those who hay
, endured four years of open war and devastation
and three years-more miserable yesrs l-of lswlei
J anarchy. The true people OF Alabama long fC
rest Admit the State, and 1t viii prove TO the
suffering men and women quiet and future prospe
ity; refuse her admission, and it viii be TO them
! well, the peace Of the grave and Of exile.
Mr.. Speaker, as close the cir grows dim, an
the paat sweeps Is shadowy traditions into my min
a tradition that belongs 70 the early annals Of th
State All dRy till sunset rams the legend wearil
: rowing band of Indians had Travelled, seeking Sc
tlement till striking the beautiful river that Civ