Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-08-21
AEFAIRs IN rHE SOUrH.
Interesting from Alabama I'm =
portant Veto Of Gov. Smith =
Angry Debate in the Senate.


MONTGOMERY, ALA, Aug. ll.-A iutter
was caused In the Legislature to-day. Gov.
Smith sent into the Senate, where ii otigi-
mated, veto of the bin authorizing the
Legislature TO cast the electoral vote Of tie
State. Gov. Smith SAYS;
AFTER most mature re Election am forced
to The coclusion that the bill is wrong in
principle aud that it would be a dangerous
precedent in a republican government. My
Judgment does not approve the bill.
IL Is my constitutional duty to return
it TO the S,nue with my ~ iecious II
cannot bnt be regarded ss remarkable that
the hrst republican Legislature convened in
Alabama shall, in tho face of the principles
OF its organization, which every republican
processes to hold dear, deny not only to the
coloied, lut to the white man, the right by
ms vote to indicate his choice for a Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United
states, and take the matter IN its own hands.
what excuse can there be for it Is it
mere party expediencyf If so, then it is
an abandonment Of principles or an aeknowl-
edgeinent that the material of which the
republican party is composed cannot be
tTusted-in other words, il is to say that the
colored men will not do to be trusted.
This action OF the General Assembly
will be regarded IA still more remarkable
when considered in connection with what
seems to have been the almost unanimous
opinion OF the leading members of the re-
publican party Of Alabama. 1t was believed
by most of them, aud 50 represented at
Washington, that a large majority of the
voting population OF the State were in favor
OF the new constitution. This was as much
as to say that the republican party was in a
large majority in the State, for it is well
known that none but republicans favor the
constitution, and even some of them oppose
1t. II the party is as strong as it has been
supposed to lie, then the necessity of party
expedency does not exist, but even if il did
exist would we be iustitable in resorting
to itH As much as desire the election of
Grant and Colfdx, am unwilling to become
party in behalf of that desirable result to
scheme which practically denies the very
principles for which the standard bearers
stand pledged before the country"
This created a warm discussion and caused
much bitterness. Sibley Coon and other
extreme radicals were violent in their ex-
preSSions about the Governor. Mr.. Coon
strongly urged the defeat of the veto, and
said the object of the men who were sustain
ing the Governor in this matter was to get
up war. If the war must come, let it
come-he was ready for it, and 80, 900 free
men of Alabama would give the opposition
a belly full of war before before it was over,
He would stand by the republican party in
Alabama in the war, and victory would
perch on its banners.
Mr.. Jones replied to Mr.. Coon, and told
him that his remarks were revolutionary.
but that If he wanttd war be could have
war, and the war would last until none of
his sort desecrated the soil of Alabama. He
said that he was republican, but when war
is talked of, and Aabamians were to be
slaughtered, he would be found on the side
OF his own peOple-those in this bright and
sunny but oppressed land, to whom this
country and the government of it Justly
belong. He said he could raise squadron
of town boys and whip out anything the
gentleman from Iowa could bring against
aim. He could march and twenty thousand
would follow hls banner in defence OF Ala
bama and Alabamans. The cOlored men
Of Intelligence knew that carpet. baRgers
were not their friends, and that a suuatter
would desert them in the hour of peril and
need. The debate was conducted altogether
by the republicans, there being but one
democrat in the Senate. Without action the
Senate adjourned to 5 O'Clock z. NJ. 1t Il
not likely that the bill can become law
over the Governors veto. The Legislature
| will probably adjourn tomorrow.
The consideration of the message of the
Governor, yetoing the bill which allowed
the Legislature to cast the electoral vote OF
Alabama, was postponed until 10 o'clock
tomorrow. A great many members have
already left.
The following card from Mr.. Jones, repub-
lcan, will appear in the morning papers.
Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Coon are both republican
Senators:
Senate Chamber, August IL, lS6S.-lIaHng
been denied the privilege OF repeating 10 the
Senate Mr.. Coon's incendiary remarks IL the
Governors office on the morning of the lth
of August, l hereby publish said remarks
to the best OF my recollection. He iaid to
the Governor that he would not leave here
until some measure was adopted for the pro-
lection Of those whom he called loyal men
| that if any Union mans blood was spilled in
Dallas county, he would lay the houses OF
Dallas county and the city Of Selma in ashes,
W, b JONES.