Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-10
THE FRANCHISE.
Proposition for a Convention
Speech by Speaker Richards I'm
the House OF Representa-
lives. January Q, 1868.


OF those who may accord me their atten
ton, few Of the principal reasons whicl
will induce me to yield my cordial supper
10 the most liberal and comprehensive Of
those measures which have been heretofor
presented for our consideration, looking t,
the restoration of that portion of our citi
zens now suffering under disfranchisement
TO the full enjoyment of those rights anC
immunities of which it has been deemed
needful, in times past, temporarily to de
prive them. The subject is indeed ore o.
most surpsssing interest, and is one which
has the fortune to stand connected almost
inseparably with passions and preiudices
growing naturally out of the scenes through
which our country has been fated to pas
during the last eight years, but which pas.
sions and prtjudices, if allowed 10 control
our present deliberations, must defeat all
the ends alike of justice, sound policy and
true magnanimity, for the attainment Of
which it is our duty to labor with a fervent
and enlightened zeal ever on the increase,
and with an energy and perseverance,
which no discouragements can abate, nc
difficulties battle, and no undue regard to
Individual welfare or promotion can, for a
moment, divert from the slcred task Of
patriotism which lies before US.
am well persuaded that there is NO
part of this world, where, at this moment,
The pathway of duty is more thickIy and
annoyingly beset with obstacles and EN-.
barrassments than in our own beloved
commonwealth. But let u, pray you,
never think of yielding up ourselves 10 a
mean and cowardly despair. Especially
does it become the members of the great
and progressive party, with which we clai m
alliance in this golden moment of ouf tri-
umph, not to relax our exertions to give
assured and permanent ascendency to the
principles which honorably distinguish u.s.
Let US reflect upon the success with which
our efforts have been heretofore crowne
in defense of the Union established by
our fathers, against the dangers with which
it was environed during the progress of the
bloodiest and most exhausling civil war
that the world has yet known. Let US
take into consideration the wonderful sue
cess which has attended upon our efforts
heretofore in giving diffusion and stability
to those enlarged aud liberal principles
which look TO the happiness and free
dom of the whole fmily of man,
without regard 10 complexion, race
or lineage. Let US turn our eyes toward
those great public measures now in saluta-
~ operation among us, and every day
growing more and more potential for good,
and which have had to win their way to
the hearts and understandings of men, in
spite Of the obstacles thrust in their way
on the part Of some who could be men
toned, from whom widely different course
was 10 have been expected. Let ms recre.
ate our souls by contemplating the result
of the grand civil conflict which has Just
had It's progress, and which has elevated 10
the highest official position in the gift Of
his countrymen, that pure minded, high.
souled, military chieftain, who, after filling
the world with his renown as a successful
leader Of armies; after having delivered
his country from all the fearful perils with
which intestine war had surrounded it, is
now about TO fill the measure of bis own
imperishable fame by displaying those
miIder but not less captivating virtues,
which belong TO the wise, magnanimous
and pdterndl administration of the free
constitutional Oyernmen. foundeI by
Washington and his compeers,
and which il an object both of
affection and OF admiration throughout the
ciyilizedworld. Both Of the Republican par
ty and Of Gen. Grant it may well be said:
The past, at least, is secure" Great and
peculiar are the responsibilities of that
party 10 whom forty millions of free people
on this continent have recently entrusted
anew the afi,i OF this Widespread repub-
-, a. Il al
chosen leaders Of that party will frequently
have TO encounter Greatly will those who
may occupy the highest seats of authority
stand in need Of the firm and cordial sup
port of those to whose Partially they will
recognize themselves as indebted for their
official elevation. Imperious will be the
demand upon the whole of that grand pop
ular brotherhood Of liberty, which is diff
fused over the surface of this continent
from ocean to ocean, and in whom is re-
posed all of human Sovereignty known in
this favored part of the globe, fJrthe con-
slant display of those sublime and lofty
virtues which are supposed to have their
favorite hsbitation in the bosoms of
freemen; Of freemen truly worthy
of the name and who are
trustworthy because of their being
honest, and enlightened, and courageous,
and patriotic, and embued richly with the
elevating spirit Of true christian philan-
thropy The Ar-seeing Monarch Of heaven
has indeed entrusted much, in our day, to
US who constitute the Repub ic IN party,
and His requisilion upon US for ali noble
and virtuous acts hereafter will be, doubt
less, in exact proportion TO the extent of
His divine bounty. Never was a political
party heretofore favored with such oppor-
tunities Of doing good and acquiring last
log gratitude and renoWn; and, for one,
augur for it most successful and splendid
future. We have commenced we'll 10 the
selection Of our civic chief We have
chosen one for the Presidency of the ne
tion known 10 be az remarkable for the
qualities which adorn private life as for
his ability as a commander of great
armies; man of inAexible in
tegrity; of unspotted honor of the
greatest moderation of spirit; of a
merciful and forgiving temper of an
enlarged and magnanimous soul; lover
of his country, and his whole: country; un-
tinctured alike with sectional prejudice,
and undue party bias; modest and unas-
Stunning in his intercourse with men firm
and resolute in seas )ns of seYerest trial ;
unswayed by narrow and ignoble pref JUDGE
of any kind impervious 10 the seductioDs
of Hlttery; delighting not in the ostenta-
tiOus display of his own gteatness never
indulging IN indicate SELF commentator;
unenyious of the fame or popularity oil
others; daring even to succor the unfor-
tnn of 10 81 - ba
sed or the prosecuted at the hazard of in
curing the ill opinion and Of being sub
jected 10 the malignant reproaches of the
narrow minded and The cruel. Such is
the character of the man whom the Re-
publican party has recently elevated to the
Presidential station.
Such are the au.piciou3 circumstance;
under which we, the members of the Gen
eral Assembly of Tennessee, are called
upon to act on the important question WI
are now considering.
Ii appears to me, indeed, not a little sur
prising that any man who supported Gen
Grant for the Presidency, and who knew
at the time be did go, that this dis
inguished parsonage had long avoweC
| himself 10 be friendly both 10 universe
amnesty and universal manhood suffrage
could now be in favor of retaining il
permanent servitude some eighty thou
sand OF the citizens of this once hourishin
and happy commonwealth. | cannot IN
dersland how any man who wishes well T.
the administration of Gen. Grant, can de
sire to preserve the existing condition o
things in Tennessee, which cannot bu
prove a most serious obstacle in his oficia
pathway. Why not offer the opportunit,
TO our whole people TO come forward 8
once and support our new President upo
those very grounds which he is we
known TO occupy, and in regard to whic
there is at present less difference Of cpini