Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-16
RE.ENFKANCHIsEmENF.
Justice. Equailiy. Peaee, brotherhood.


To the Editors Of the Union and American. 8
1t cannot but be exceedingly crafty
ing 20 every true friend of quiet and good
order in our noble commonwealth, and 10
all who desire our future prosperity and
happiness as people, to observe the al
most universal desire manifested by men
of intelligence and influence in every
county Of Tennessee to bring about at ss
early a period as practicable, the resto-
ration of all now suffering under civil
disability on account Of their connection
with the late rebellion 10 the enjoyment
Of those rights of which they have been
heretofore deprived. The only question
which really now occaions any serious
controversy among our citizens, relates
to the mode of attaining that great object
which few deny TO be both desirable and
necessary. Il seems to be generally
agreed that it is, for many reasons, expe-
dent that the work of relief shall be car
ried onward by those with whom the disa-
bilities referred to have heretofore
originated, so that all future heart
burning and animosity may be effect
ually prevented, and all pretext for
the future exercise of retaliatiVe VEN
geance may be altogether preeluded. Let
those who, at period of high political
excitement and reciprocal di-EEzsf, Thought
IT accessory 70 their own safety TO suspend
the exercise OF the right Of suffrage on the
part of those, at the time, (Whether Justly
or not) supected of hostility, have an op.
portunity now afforded them of showing
their present Justice and magnanimity-
and les us all, as soon "a possible, forgive
and forget the painful MISUNDERSTANDING
and conflicts of the past The enlightened
friends Of re acknowledgements will every.
where content themselves with giving
calm bat efficient support to those candi-
dates for public station whom they Judge
most likely, If elected, TO aid effectively
in bringing about the early Reinstatement
Of our disfranchised citizens. One issue
almost exclusively occupies the
public attention, and from that
Issue our voting population do not intend
10 be diverted for a moment. The fate of
our commonwealth obviously depends
mainly upon the choice Of members of the
Legislature, and it is most gratifying to
see that whilst men of high intelligence
and known probity are generally present
ing themselves az candidates for the Senate
and House Of Representatives, nearly all
of them have declared themselves to be
favorable to the immediate calling of a
convention for the revision of our present
constitution. The remarkable good sense
and moderation everywhere so commenda-
bly, manifested on the part Of the numer-
GUS and influential class of the disfran.
chised, ia one of the most encouraging in
dications now presented, and most happily
presages the grand result which is soon TO
be realized. / feel confident that in no
part Of the State, and by no considerable
portion Of our citizens, will any. move
ment be Countensnced of a nature to put
at hazard, in the least degree, the great
cause of public liberty, Whilst Gov
ernor Senter has, in most une-
quivocal language, declared. himself in
favor Of the call Of convention by the Leg
islsture for the purpose of ENGRAVING upon
the constitution the principle of universal
su6r0ge; and whilst his opponent, General
Stokes, is reported in the papers of yester-
day as having declared himself, at Knox
vile, on Monday last, as a better universal
suffrage man than even Gov. Senter or Gov.
Brownlow; whilst in fact, the only ques-
| ton among the conflicting aspirants will
be, rho wiH prove himself most favorable 10 re-
| enfdnchiSement; it is important tina! some
| interchange of opinion should take place
among those harmonising 20 happily in
sentiment touching this important matter,
| in regard to the precise mode proper to be
adopted for attaining the desired end.
Entirely concurring with Gov. Senter
and his leading friends, as to the expe-
diency of calling a convention into exist.
ence by the coming Legislature for the
amendment Of the organic law; and
having, long since. on the fullest
| consideration, come TO the conclusion
| that the constitutional power of the
Legislature to coDvoke such a con-
vention, il not subject TO reasonable
question | have for some time past
thought that the most judicious manner
of doing this, (most judicious because
most expeditions, least expensive, and
more in accordance with we'll known bis.
| toric pFecedents,) is that 80 clearly and
impressively propounded in Judge LEAFS
most patriotic and statesmanlike let
| ter to Governor BiownloW during The
and by Gov. BrownloW himself com-
1 nenueu 10 tue iaVOfaDle COnsiuefatlOu
| thereof
| am confident that no good reason csn
be given why the Legislature, 80 soon as
it shall assemble, should not submit to the
qualified voters OF the State the proposition
to endew the Senator'S and Representatives
constituting that body with full conven-
tional powers. Such proposition can be
acted upon by the people, in their pri-
mary capacity, in thirty days, and the whole
work OF northumberland be con.
summated in ten days thereafter. If the
Governor OF the State should choose to
convene the Legislature at an early day
subsequent TO the August election, (which
it seems probable he might be willing tC
do) our eighty thousand citizens now pin
ing in bondage, may be again in the pos
session of civil liberty before the hrst day
of November next, and such scene o
general concord and happiness be exhib
tied in Tennessee as the world hiss seldom
witnessed. Hoping that these views vii
be kindly received by my fellow-citizeni
generally, ask for them an insertion il
the UNION AND AMERICAN. & 1alas e
/ D. PAcIFIcUs
/ PREPARATIONS are now being made t.