Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-08
CONGRESSIONAL. INTERFERENCE
THREATENED.


The Press and Times is. conjur~
ing up needless fears. In its Satur-
days issue, it discusses what would |
probably be the action of the
people of Tennessee under the re-
construction acts, should Congress
reduce US to a territorial existence,
and it comes to the conclusion that
in the process of reconstruction,
the people would vote just about as
they did the other day, only the
conservative strength would prob
ably be increased. The Press and
Times concludes as follows:
"Nevertheless, If disposition should
be shown to prescribe Union men for
opinions sake, and constitutional offices
should be abolished or vacated to crafty
mere revolutionary caprice and ven-
geance, We think it more than probable
that Congress would interfere to put
stop to the work of prescription,
by establishing a provisional govern
ment, with the most rigid features
Of the franchise law, to regulate
the election to be held under it. We are
in period of revolution and violent
changes, and it becomes the high duty of
the next Legislature to take statesman
like and enlarged view Of the whole situ~
alton, and curb, if possible, the whims of
the ultraists and liberals. If
the Legislature, or the constitutions
al convention which may be con-
Vened by its authority, should
lay violent hands upon the Supreme
Court and the officers of the State De-
partment, and thereby convince the
American people that the controlling
spirit of the election of Thursday was
vengeance and not reform and progress,
nothing, save political revolution in
the Northern States, would prevent the
Intervention of the federal government
In the most decided manner"
We do not know what has
wrought upon the fears of the Press
and Times so wonderfully. We
presume no man advocates the
adoption of mere retaliatory meas
ures. Certainly nothing of this
kind has so far been manifested.
The Legislature will undoubtedly
inaugurate system of economy,
such as we have not had since the
reorganization of the State governs
ment, and in carrying this out it
may be necessary to lop off the ex-
penses of a number Of the offices
which have from time to time been
created to reward partisans. Every
man who knows anything of the
working of the machinery of the
State, knows that we have more
officers than there is any necessity
for whatever. A portion of these
should be got rid of SO as to bring
the expenses of the State within
reasonable sum- What the cons
vention may do is of course a mat
ter of speculation. 1t may so alter
and amend the constitution as to
render necessary the filling of all or
a portion of the Offices by new cleo
tions a necessity. If such should
be the case, it would not furnish @
prctext for Congress to "interfere to
| put a stop to the work" We can con-
ceive of nothing the convention
would do that would Justify the in
tervention of the federal govern
ment in any manner VIII ateYer. This
is a State in the Union, as sover
eign as New York or Pennsylvani:
or Ohio. The constitution Of thu
United States provides "that thu
United States shall guaranteeto ev
cry State in this Union a republican
form of government" Our owl
constitution provides as follows il
the first section of the bill o
rights:
"That all power is inherent in tn
people, and all free governments ar
founded on their authority, aud institu
ted for their peace, safety and happiness
for the advancement Of these ends, the.
have at all times, an unalienable anC
indefeasible right to alter, reform or abOl
ish the government in such manner a
they may think proper"
Put these two together, and wha
right has-the United States govern
ment to interfere Gin the most de
cided manner" or even in the mild
est manner, with the people of TIL
State? The manner 10 which th
Press and Times treats this subjec
shows that it recognises the exist
ence of this right. Let this ide
prevail, and all free government
at an end in this country. Tn
United States is under obi a
ton to guarantee US a republi
can form of government
and that presupposes tn
right claimed for our people "tt
alter, reform or abolish the govern
ment in such manner as they ma.
think proper" 1t is intimated by
the Press and Times that the exer
else of this right would be con
sidered prescription, and it states
with a sort of satisfaction tina
amounts to approval, that Congress
would interfere to put a stop to the
work" We do not entertain The
slightest doubt that both the Legis
lature and the convention viii
"take a statesman like and enlarged
view of the whole situation" anc
will act in the spirit of moderation
and liberality, but at the same time
they will meet the responsibilities be
fore them with determination to dc
their whole duty, from which they
cannot be swerved by threats o
congressional interference.
ENoob Coz No++o1o Sood