Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-31

A not unimportant meeting was held
impromptu ia Nashville, ON Thursday
evening. TO protest against the militia
bin. Col. A. s. Colyar said he was un-
willing 10 DO silent while the last act Of
usurpation and tyranny was being per-
fected. II would leave no liberty with
the people. II Brownlow was King he
would have less power than this bill gave
him. Power to raise $4,000 in every
county aud equip any number Of myr-
midons to enforce its collection, declare
martial law, suspend all courts AVID dis
able all civil officers. His power to raise
regiments would only be limited by the
number that would serve, whether con-
scripted or not. If he thought q county
would 10 Democratic he had only TO send
his militia and draw his order on the
Treasury for their pay. He could raise
one hundred thousand men and strike
down all men in the State.
A bill had been also introduced to en-
ploy detectives, with premium of $500
to $1,000 TO point out persons to be ar
rested, innocent or not. Nothing meaner
or more monstrous could be conceived.
It had been objected TO as unconstitu-
tional. But members had declared not
witbstanding that the bill must pass. II
the bill was passed there would certainly
be trouble in the future. Those who had
no land would endeavor to seize it, and
monstrous outrsges would be committed
on all who dared to utter word against
the usurpations.
Gov. Neil S. Brown concurred with Mr..
Colyar. The militia bill was the most
monstrous proposition he had ever seen
in country protesting to be free. The
Governor had complete power given to
crush this people. He could call out all
who would take the oath of loyalty, all
the negroes, and enlist those that would
come in from other States. They had al
ready begun to flow in freely in the ex-
citing prospect of rations, pay, plunder,
rape, and the exquisite satisfaction
of treadiug down white women
and children. Some thought Brown.
low might not call out the
militia. But when given the power
there was no telling what he would not
do. He was now excitable, and not in a
physical condition to be patient. Men
actuated by partisan motives hundred
miles away, and on pretended and sus'
pected oifenses not really existing, would
make frequent calls for militia. Brown
low was physically dilapidated, and
could not withstand the numberless pes
tilential petitions that would be showered
on him. The whole State would be over
run BY desperadees, and the rule must be
make the best supposable
case of it, He wished for 10, 1000 Federal
troops in every district. The people
were loyal, and would hail them as pro-
tectors and deliverers. The only hope
was that the President would come to
our rescue, even if II cost him his Office.
II was the most solemn movement he
had ever witnessed. And if it we're pos
,ible to clothe the State in Grape, it
would but poorly express the mourn
rul condition of this noble old
State. He was for peace so long as
peace could be honorably maintained.
But dishonor was worse than war. And
ie knew enough of the people of Ten
,essee to know they would never submit
o this last indignity Of plumber, robbery,
martial law, disfranchise- ,
nent and ostracism by ignorant savages.
Not respectable person could survive
uch exhaustive confscstion aud destruc-
ion of liberty. The State would be rife
With crimes too numerous and black to
,e exaggerated. He had plead for peace,
tut be would now rise from his knees and
leclare he would not always endure this
oppression.
Gov. Foote also followed in an elabo- /
ate speech, in which be thoroughly ana
ysed and exposed the Infamous militia
ill He said the Legislature would do
veil not to presume that we were entire I
y helpless. A public meeting was called
IN Saturday further to consider this mat
err 1t was thought best to have con-
erepce with the Legislature. A memo
ial to the President and Congress is
uggested