Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-24
SPEAKING LAST EIGHT.
Brien AMI Hari is0n at The Armstrong
House.


last night in front of the Armstrong House
on Cherry street, TO hear The discussion be-
tween Hon. Horace II. Harrison and VIM
G Brien, Esq candidates for the Senate
rial branch Of the Legislature. BY agree.
meni between the gentlemen Mr.. Harrison
made the opening speech. His remarks
were mainly devoted TO the franchife
question, the fifteenth constitutional
amendment, the subject OF taxation, and
the laws regulating the rate OF
mercantile tax and monetary interest. In
regard TO his position on the iranchise
question, Mr.. Harrison said that he was
for restoring the right Of suffrage 10 inc
people of the State at the very earliest
practicable moment. He would favor The
legislature calling a convention as soon as
it could be done. lie endorsed the POSI-
ton of Gov. Senter on the franchise ques-
ton. and explained his reasons for so
doing. 10 answer to the charge that dur
ioq The last session of the Legislature he |
had refused to sign petition asking |
that body to salter or amend the |
franchise law of the State 10 |
to admit white people TO the ballot, |
Judge Harrison said that he declined 10
sign the petition because he believed 1t
would be productive of no good, and such
action on his part would have tendency
| to diminish his influence with the Leglsla-
| ture in any subsequent effort he might
make in behalf of peace. Judge Har-
| rioa avowed himself in favor
| the 18th amendment, and gave his
reasons at length for supporting that
proposition. He believed its adop-
ton would contribute to the peace of
the country, and permanently settle the
vexed question Of suffrage. 10 regard to
taxation, Judge Harrison said that the
people had bat little reason TO hope for
auy material early relief frem the burthens
imposed by previous legislation. The
heavy State debt had grown out of rail
road bills, and other legislation incident
to the war. He was for paying the debts
of the State, and in good faith discharging
every obligation. We regret that the
lateness of the hour at which we write
makes il impossible to give full report
Of Judge Harrison's speech.
When Judge Harrison closed his re-
marks, VIM. G. Brien, Esq, took the
stand, and in a style truly eloquent and
impressive, proceeded to answer the speech
of his competitor. He said he was in IA
for of enfranchising the people of Ten.
nessee in the earliest and most effective
! manner. He would not have the Infamous
franchise law for which Judge Harrison and
, his political friends were directly response
BILE. disgrace the annals Of the State day
longer than the incoming Legislature could
sweep it out of existence. Mr.. Brien
i E-I
strongly in favor of enfranchisement, and
| thought the Brownsville decision had some
connection with his sudden change OF
front on this subject. He alluded to the
fact that Judge Harrison had persistently
r refused to say or do anything TO restore
white suffrage in Tennessee, until he
saw that the people were getting in con-
dition to help themselves. He also init
, mated that in less time than year ago,
| Judge H. was so eager TO keep the people
, in the bondage of Radical chains that
he travelled all the way to Washington to
act as cousel in the Ridley-Sherbrook case,
taking upon himself in that trial the task
, of defending despotic laws and opposing
: the political rights Of the people. While
Judge Harrison was a member of the Su-
preme Court of the State, the Staten case
the identical one decided lately as
= Brownsville-wss FIVE or six times brought
, before that body for hearing but was al
often deferred, and it was left for Judge
Harrison's successors on the Supreme
bench to do this great act Of
: Justice. Mr.. Brien briefly noticed the re-
fusal of Judge II. to sign the franchise pc.
tition TO the last Legislature, and said the
Judge was about the only respectable man
r in Nashville who positively declined to
e sign that paper. During and since the war
| Judge II. had held 30 many offices, that
Mr.. Brien found it difficult to keep up with
his official titles-sometimes hardly knew
= whether to call him Judge, Chancellor
q Attorney General, or Presidential Elector
D So numerous, in fact, were the offices he
e held that he got exiravagant and went
} into the business of official swapping, and
, was even now casting longing eyes upon a
cushioned aeat in the United S aies Senate
D being no doubt perfectly willing TO SWAP
|. 4 place in the Tennessee Legislature for
0 that exalted position. Mr.. Brien stated
/ that he was strongly and earnestly opposed
to the proposed 18Th constitutional
e amendment, and gave his views elaborate.
ly upon that subject. He did not think its
4 adoption calculated to give peace to tie
country nor likely TO result in any thing
c like just or permanent settlement of the
e suffrage question. lie thought that the
t proposition but another stepping stone to
: Ceatralised government whose despotiC
t power was designed to crush ont and de.
e stroy all ves.ige of State rights. The sub
r ject Of the county ard Metropolitan Com.
y missioners came in for a share Of the
2 speakers attention lie was opposed &c
= both systems because they were unneces
4 sariy costly, and not near SO eilici
e ebt in the government of the
e city and county as the old systems. After
= assuring his fellow citizens that he would
0 if elected, do all in his power to reduce
the burthen Of taxation and for the enac T.
: ment of Just and necessary laws, Mr.. Brier
e thanked his hearers for their patient at
: tension and babe them good night.