The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1868-10-02
Letter from Hon, j. NJ. Hammer,
Representative from Sewer Co,

AtpTtStntdtlNe from sewer 10,
Editor Flag - find there is an
impression, founded on rumor, in sew.
eral counties in East Tennessee, that
/ have been voting with the Conser.
NATIVES in the Legislature, and an at.
tempt is made TO make capital of it in
some localities, and many of my
friends arc mortified that such should
be the case. / therefore ask the
privilege of setting myself right
through the columns of your widely
circulating paper,
My record is clear, and runs back
to 1914, when ] gave my first vote
for President, and that vote was for
the immortal Henry Clay. I Rorer
gaze a Democratic UOte in my life and
aerer erpect to. / had thought, in
Unionism, in Ropublieanism, / was
like Caesars wife, "above suspicion"
but surely some mi must have sus-
peeted even her during some period
of her life.
suppose what gave rise to the
false impression was q vote | gave
about the first Of August on a Senate
Joint resolution, and against n House
Joint resolution, relating to the same
subject, Well, now to the record.
Judge Lea senta letter to the Gov
ernor accompanied with large petit
ton on the franchise question. The
Governor sent them to the two
Houses with the following message .
."KNoxvILLE, Tenn, August 8, 1865.
Gentlemen otthe Senate and House
of Representatives. : My high regard
for the author of the Enclosed letter
and ordinance, Hon, NJ, Lea my con-
idencei in his patriotism and integrity,
to say nothing ofthe Importance of
the subject discussed, induces me res
pectfully to submit those documents
for your calm and deliberate consid-
Grafton. w. &. BRowNLow
When these papers were read in
the Senate, they were referred to a
"joint committee of FIVE on the part
of the Senate, and-On the part of the
House, to take into consideration the
message and report by bill CT other
wise" When they were read in the
House, with the Senate joint resolu-
ton, Mr.. Taylor offered q resolution
in lieu, viz:
Res0lyed By the GenerdlAss of the
Stdtetof Tennessee, That we do not
think this the proper time to take into
consideration the question of the cleo
tive franchise.
l voted for the Senate resolution
against Mr.. Taylor's resolution, and |
voted against adopting Mr.. Taylor's
resolution. ! thought l was right, and
think so still.
If the Senate resolution had been
adopted, and a joint committee APP
pointed of both Houses, it would have
been the duty of that committee to
have examined into the political
Of The rebels of Tennessee, and
reported accordingly. | presume the
would have been somewhat As
ar, Speaker: Your committee
appointed under Senate joint resoIu.
lion No, have had the same under
consideration, and beg leave to report,
hat from the tone of the rebel press,
he disloyal sentiments uttered by the
eading rebeIspeakers, and the hatred
the Government of the Uni
ed States and of the State of Tonnes
Zee, manifested by tho great mass of
he late rebels, we do not believe it
would be safe to take any action on
he franchise question at this extra
IessiOn of the Legislature, nOtwith-
tanding universal suffrage of all loyal
men is one Of the fundamental prinoi-
lies of Republican governments, but
We dc not believe the rebels are sufi.
loyal yet to be entrusted with
he ballot. We therefore ask to be
discharged from any further consid-
Of tho subject"
That would have given a reason for
action. am qiVdys ready to gre
reason for the faith that is an me. 10
ave made the above report would
ave shown to our frihds in the North
hat we wanted 10 give the ballot to
men, in accordance with the resolu
ion adopted ut Chicago by the Ro-
ublienn Convention last May, but
6lf-%protection forbid us giving 10 TO
who say that our State geverhS
lent IS u usurpation, unconstitutional
nd void. But while maintain that
his would have boon the proper way
ct ] do not censure the course Of my
~olleagues who voted differently. /
resume they acted wit6 pure mo-
kRoi0 | did,and | dony the. right
I any mar to read me out OF tho Re-
.ublican party on this question, for 7
eel sure that the Senate resolution
viii stand the test OF time much ION
Ter than the House resolution I am
iot afraid for my party 10 take bold
e any sobjeoE-They saved this ma
ion when in danger, and they win
in peace. I hope mon Of
hort record VIII cease to read mo out
n the Republican marty. and etknd