Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-14

Who may stand ready 10 perform their |
,ehests. Those whose slavish devotion to
party Incorporates them for comprehendipg
he reasons which influence my conduct at
his moment would do we'll to read what
'hall in conclusion lay before this meeting,
from the writings of the greatest statesman
hat antiquity could boast, Cicero, who, in
one of his most elaborate letters said:
"Thus | have given you full detail of
the several views and motives by which /
am governed in the present coniuncture, as
well as of the particular disposition in
which stand with respect to the slender
part i can pretend to claim ia the admin
istration of public affairs. And, believe
me, l should have judged and acted en-
tireiy IN the same manner, had / been to-
tally free from every sort of amicable bias. |
For, on the one hand, should have es.
teemed it the most absurd folly to have at |
tempted TO oppose go superior force; and |
on the other, supposing il possible, should |
yet have deemed it impTudent TO weaken |
the authority of persons 80 eminenily and |
80 justly distinguished in the common
wealth. Besides, it appears TO me to be the
dictate OF sound policy, TO act in accom-
mediation TO particular conjunctures, and
not inhexibly pursue the same uuslterable
scheme, when public circumstances togeth-
er with the sentiments Of the best and
wisest members of The community, are ey-
identity changed. la conformity to this
notion, the most judicious reasoners on the
part Of government, have universally con
demned an obstinate perseverance in one
uniform tenor Of measures The skill Of
the pilot is shown in weathering the storm
at least, though be should not gain his port:
but il shifting his sails, and changing his
direction will infalli5ly carry him with
security into the intended harbor, would it
not be an instance Of most unreasonable
tenaeiou5ness to continue in the more haz
ardous course wherein he began his voy-
agel Thus land it is maxim / have
often had occasion to inculcate) the point
We ought all of us 10 keep in our vieW in
our administration of the commonwealth,
is the final enjoyment of an honorable re-
pose: but the method of securing to our
selves this dignity of retreat, is by having
been inVariable in our intentions for the
public welfare, and not by positive per-
| severance in certain favorits modes Of OBJ
tanning it."
| will just add that have no opposi-
ton 10 future to present except TO such as
shall undertake to disturb the public peace
by the discussion of issues which hold TO
be now forever settled To all restless ag.
itators of questions calculated TO breed
new discord and disturbances, | am, and
shall ever be, antsgonistic, both in word
and deed.
Capt. Allen (Republican) said he was
glad to see men who opposed the election Of
Gen. Grant adopting this course Of pro-
ceediDgs and would honor them. They
are acting the part of patriots, and SO far
as his support would go towards helping
these men it would be promptly given.
He looked to the time, in the history Of
Tennessee, when We shall enjoy actual
peace, when all classes Of men can live in
this State in harmony. A great many
things had to be done before this could be
brought about. He hoped to see the time
come when all men would participate in
supporting the government, and that
when they would all be equal before the
law. There must be mutual forbearance
among all men. The best way 10 secure
the rights Of allmen is to scrupulously re.
Epect the government and TO enforce the
laws.
Col. A. s. Colyar said that this was not
intended TO be party meeting, but that ii
was gotten mp on the intelligent belief that
the critical condition OF the country de-
manded of patriotic men an open avowal Of
their purposes with security go that parties
as parties might disappear. He was fol-
lowed by Prof. Mitchell, colored, who
made few brief remarks. He called upon
his colored friend to act their part nobly,
They had been recognized as citizens, and
he trusted by the ratification of the 18th
article of amendment TO the constitu-
ton that the right of suffrage
would soon be guaranteed unto
them.
Warren Jordan then spoke, evil
IDENTIFY without any understanding Of the
objects of the meeting, and used lam
guage which engendered a very bad feeling
among the more intelligent and refined
portion Of the assembly, He said that
there would be heated contest 10 the Au.
gust election, and asked the negroes whom
they were going TO put on the track. They
replied, "Stokes, Bill Stokes" Now if you
want harmony, don't bring up single
man against Bill Stokes. Let up make
peace upon my terms and they
are to make Bill Stokes Governor. He
didn't come there to make speech, but as
he was called upon, he thought he would
have little fun. Whenever you who are
disfranchised will come up and adopt the
principles set forth ia the platform of the
Republican party, then we will extend the
right Of suffrage to you aud not before.
After the yells of The negroes had
subsidized, Judge Carey was called
for and spoke in substance as
follows; This meeting was not called in
the name Of any party, bat in the name of
peace. The Republicans were not asked
TO surrender their principles nor their
| party, neither were the Democrats asked to
surrender their Democracy He heartily
approved and commended the inaugural
it is coDCiliatoTy, it is independent, but not
at all Prescriptions. The speaker then re-
| ierred to that clause Of Gen. Grants inaug-
ural address where he says that the
question OF suffrage will con,
tinue 10 agitate the public mind so
longas any portion of the citiz Ems of the
United States in any State, are denied It's
| privileges" 10 that utterance Of Presi-
dent Grant, il seemed to him, was embodied
the result Of all human experience and
teachings of all history. II is impossible
for any Republican for any considerable
length of time to keep any large class or
race OF men under the discriminating
band OF the law without producing
discofd and strife among the peo-
pie. This is inconsistent with pub
lie principles, and it cannot long
endure with safety TO the government. 1t
is the teaching of sound philosophy; it is
d great and we'll settled aud defined law.
We should reach the result at once, with
out taking upon the danger Of long run.
General Grant has seen lit TO recommend
the adoption Of the amendment to the co1-
stitutiOn that had been Dresented Ia The