Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-15
From the " ord Of July ),
GEN. FRANK T. BLAIR DEFINES HIS POSITION
WAsHIEeTON, June 80.

Col. James 0. Broadhcad
DEAR COLONEL In reply to your inquiries /
beg leave TO say that leave to you TO determine
on consultation with my friends from Missouri
whether my name shall be presented TO the Demo.
cratic Convention, and TO submit the following rs
what i consider the real and only issue in this con-
test The Reconstruction policy of the Radicals will
be complete before the next election the States SO
long excluded, will have been admitted negro suf-
frsge established, and the carpet-bsggers Installed
in their seats in both branches OF Congress. There
Is no possibility Of changing the political character
OF the Senate, even II the Democrats should elect
their President and majority of the popular branch
OF Congress. We cannot, therefore, undo the Rad
icsl plan OF Reconstruction by Congressional action;
the Senate will continue a bar &c its repeal Must
we submit to it? How can it be overthrown II
can only be overthrown by the authority of the
Executive, who is sworn TO maintain the Constitu-
ton, and who will fail 10 do his duty If be allows
the Constitution TO perish under series Of Congress
sonal enactmens which are in pslpabe violation Of
its fundamental principles
II the President elected by the Democracy en-.
forces or permits others to enforce these Reccnsruc-
ton acts, the Radicals by the accession Of 20 spu-
rioUs Senators and so Representatives will control
both branches Of Congress, and his administration
will be As Powerless as the present Of Mr. John
son.
There IS but one way TO restore the Government
and the Constitution, and that is for the President
elect to declare these acts null and void compel the
army 10 undo its usurpstions al the South disperse
the carpet bag State Governments, allow the white
1 people TO reorgauize their own governments and
elect Senators and Representatives. The House Of
/ Representatives will contain majority Of Demo
Gratis from the North and they will admit the Rep
rescntatives elected By the white people of the
south, and with the cooperation of The President
" VIII not De difficult TO compel the Senate 10 sub
init once more TO the obligations Of the Constitu-
slon. ~ Nll not De able to withstand the public
Juo8mehr y aisuhetiy invoked and clearly express
cd on this fundamental issue and il is the sf,re way
70 avoid all future strife 70 put this issue plainly d
! the country
/ repeat that this is the real and only ouos,;or
which we should allow 10 control US Shall we snb-
init TO the usurpations BY which the Governmer,,
has been oyerthrown, or shall we exert ourselves
It's full and complete restoration II Is idle 20 tall
/ Of bonds, gfeenbaeks gold, The public faith and
The public credit What can Democratic Presi.
dent do IN regard 10 any Of these with a Congress
N both branches controlled BY the carpet baegers
snc their allies de viii be powerless 10 stop the
supplies oy which Idle negroes are organized into
pohucal clubs--by which ar STmY IS maintained To-
protect these vsgabond in their outraces upon The
ballet These and things ike these, eat up The
revenues and resources Of the Government and de-
stroy its credit make the difference between cold
and greenbacks We must restore the Constitution
before we can restore the finances and 10 do this We
must have President who will execute the viii of
The people by tsamphng into dust ihs usurpations
Of congress, known as the Reconstruction acts. /
wish 10 stand before the Convention upon this is
sue bat & is one which embraces everything else
that is Of value in is large and comprehensive re-
suits II Is the enc thing thai includes eli that :
worth contest and without It there is nothing that
gives dignity, honor. or value 10 the struggle
Your friend, FRANK p. BIAIK
! Americans Il you want smother civil war inau
gurated, vote the Blair ticket BE tells YOU inst
how be wiz 20. Il going Marx him -Nsw YorE
7ribsae
Book BINDING of every dasor;,,i.,,. H.,