Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-10-23
LET ALL THE PEOPLE BLESS HIM

Greats the giver of good gifts. Grant
the reticent, who, in his brief letter Of
acceptance Of The Chicago nomination,
allowed its writer to say he would have
no "policy'' in the event he was called
20 administer the government, has so far
relaxed, as to permit Mr.. Brewster, Of
Philadelphia to declare that he will ven
turo policy enough to grant the right
Of every pan /" to speak his mind in any
part Of our great land without molesta-
ion or hinderance' ;
For this, On American people, lift up
your voices in thankful praise. A precious
boon is TOuchsafed to you, if you viii
fall down and worship the General of
your army, who seeks to be translated
by your suffrages to the Chief MagiStracy
Of the land Whereas, hitherto yon have
been the ths alls Of power unlicensed to
speak except in whispering humbleness,
now you may do so freely with no man
to make you afraid. One has arisen
g1eater than yourselves or your Constitu-
ton. At his word, as by the magic
waving of a wand, the padlocks of serf
dom are to be loosed from your lips
your tongues are TO be made free-the
vain ef6rt your farther's commenced,
nearly = century since to obtain for them
selves, and endow you with this priceless
privilege, has at Jength a hopeful
prospect Of consummation. The advent
of Ulysses, whilom q tanner Of hides,
and more recently . warrior of ronown,
will graciousiy secure you this inestima-
bile blessing The great struggle for
freedom OF speech with other rights,
commenced by the Barons Of England at
Runnymede, long centuries ago, though
thoughs to be partially successful, at
several periods in the history Of their
postcrity, now promises its full fruition
under the condescending favor of this
man, whose single dictum is mightiel
than BhoIe peoples in their strength,
Nations have ycarned for the right tG
speak free. Revolutions have rocked
continents as with earthquake thrOes, tr
achieve it. Lofty intellects like Mil
toms, have argued and plead with powel
to bcstow it. Poets have struck then
Tyres with far-resounding strains, as il
their songs, Orpheus-like, they sought tC
charm 1t away from kings and send i
free as air to all the generations Of men
But futile were all these. Here il
America, the sword of Washington,
thinking It had wrested it from the British
throne, returned to its scabbard, and
his noble compatriots placed it securely,
they thought, in the Ark Of the Covenant
OF their liberties as one OF its riches
Jewels. But fond, foolish old men, theJ
went down to their graves deluded. II
remained for the Radical candidate fol
the Presidency, through the mouth Of I
subordinate Radical oflice-holder, in this
the last half Of the nineteenth century
generously to propose to you people 0
America, that in consideration of suf
fraccs TO him rendered, you may enjoy
the right Of free speech. Generous anC
irustrious man the nations OF the eartl
willrjso up and call you blessed, anC
your own countrymen will ador
vou in life and rear to your memory
monument whose summit shall pierre
the skies. You have promised then
liberty.
That Is true liberty when free-born men,
Having TO advise the public, may speak free.
But a truce 10 irony. The insolsnce o
such a proher TO people whose COnsti
tuition says in words, that government
has no power 80 abIilge the freedom O
speech" is absolutely sublime. 1t show
Grant to have less Of the common sens
qualifications necessary for the Presi
dcncv. than had been heretofore sup