New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-04
4 VOICE FROM TENNESSEE.
itnr NJ The Trtbunk.

been called to an editorial article wnlch mas just appee
In the columns Of THE TRIBUNE uhder the caption VI
Reconstruction At Once" and we have been so agree
ably IMPRESSED with Its amabe and patriotic spirit and
bearing and with the sage and wholesome suggestions
embodied In It, that we felt justified In addressing
you specially in regard TO the great question or no
ton of which Won are so commercially labOrnR That
question Is surely above all the transitory cohserao'
Of party or faction and embraces interests OF 700 uc
dignity and Importance either to be neglected or tred
WITH. The views to which you have given sucn
forcble manly expression in the editorial article
referred TO- do in opinion entte you to the esteem
and gratitude Of all true patriots and must command lor
you the respect and sympathy Of all Just-minded and
magnanimous citizens wherever resident You say In
every State lately dominated by Secession the late Rebels
are divided in sentiment and action, and that division
grows daily more definite and papable. On one side are
the holders merchants and OF property, with
all who are inclined 10 industry and thrift many OF whom
opposed Secession long as they safely couid'
and oil Of whom now ask Whdt use IN
fghting longer against manifest DeSunyF me
Union is restored; ESiareV is abolished; he BACKS
are enanehised let us cordially accept these Iaes 90"
10 the ineridb make peace between the manson ana Me
COLLAGE cordially trite he immigration Of men Of capacity
means and energy. and rebuild the uase places Of our
States, double their annual products, and cause her
deserts blossom The rose We hare tarfshed useless
tears in protsion on past which nerer be recalled
henceforh let derote ourselves UhOly aud nearby 70
The present and the future" This Is indeed true picture
Of tho state offpulc sentiment in every part Of the
south with which we acquainted and we have taken
great pains obtain correct information on this subject
OF our own State, we are speak most
adysedly; and we assure you That there never
has been period ia the history Of the people OF Tennes
sec greyousy they have been illuminated by persons
who have perhaps supposed themselves to have per-
sonal interest in causing us TO be misunderstood beyond
the limits Of our state when I'm all the essential duties OF
tha mn
confidence than they are and when they were more
disposed TO be peaceful and In
the fullest OF the word, pdtIoe Ana ths your
own candor will readily admit to be little remarkable,
considering the cruel and peculiar oppression TO whch
majority Of our male White citizens have been subjected
for several years pas-their sweeping and now long
continued disfranchisemenand that huge mountain OF
grievances Of every kind which have been so strangely
and 40 ruthlessly heaped upon them, beneath which
almost any other people would have been long before
now either plunged into the deepest despair or nave
reused by that deep OF unmerted persecution
TO the widest OF furious Indignation We snail
refrain from ell further comment for the present upon
this most melancholy and suggestive opic the necessity
for dwelling upon which rejoice to feel has been
wholly obviated by the recent action OF several wei
known and influential functiOnaries in our own state
Who though active and effective members OF the Repub
lean party. have dared with an eoquence and moral
courage worthy Of the strongest commendaton to yind
nara-ed citizens against all the unmanly assaults OF
their insatiatiate caumnatOrs. -,
II we remember past events arghl ~ mas now Oee
most complete snce in the columns or he
NEwYoRK TRIBUNE. you fearlesly declared y0urseu IA
favor OF Universal Amnesty and Impartial suHrage, anu
earnestly urged upon Your cOunrymen the Immediate
adoption of this grand duplex remedy as being IN your
JuugrnIt tno ITS ,cr onr npS9ppy national dis
temperatures The words OF truth though backed by All
means at that period either In the North or IN me SOUTH
e1ecual for the noble purpose which you desired 70
pear as sty S T "a at the time Which
your efforts. upon the precise nature OF when u were
ing to observe that, in the last month or two,
much more encouraging state OF thngss
signs OF tho times, If you arc not soon TO
be aided in the great struggle which has so long and so
attitude in regard to this great question has not been
familiarity known to the country generally II has been
altogether trustworthy authority that the Presi
dentelect Gen Grant has on more tnan one occasion,
expressed by yourself touching the expedency OF Univer
sa Amnesty and Impartial Suffrage. and that he has in
the case of Virginia I'm connection with negotiations now
pending In Washington, uttered declarations which II
followed up by appropriate action may soon enable him.
after trinmphantly indicating National Union in
arms to him the transcenden glory Of mparng
to that Union all its original value when constructed by
Fathers that IL shah again become, what IL once
perennial and constantly OVERLOOKING fountain OF
genuine civic freedom and national blessedness
Longas this commandments already become. we feel
unwilling TO draw 1t TO close until one or two additional
suggestions shall have been offered ~ regard 10 the mat
tiers embodied in the following extract from the editorial
which induced this time lDtrude upon
your attention Referring to the ELECTS kely 70 be pro
duced In the South by the adoption OF Just and magnan
you say: II the Republicans IN Congress shall give
and lasting peace to the country by joining hands
with those whom you esteem the friends OF law and order
IN this region on the lucid ana complex platform OF
Universal Amnesty aud Impartial suffrage the kukuK
aud their nbettos will be speedily hunted out OF every
popuous. organized community, ana competed 10 as
band hee school houses and all other means OF intel
the protection OF all who have property
or hope to acquire any, and the rights
compact which will pledge 10 their support all that Is
substantial and honored In the whole community" Ac
hesitation I'm declaring that at least ninety
nnehundrodths Of all those In the South recently con.
and word in tho clause just cited In regard TO
those to whom you allude as huhhu we knownothins
this II Congress shall act the parental part which you
advise aud which we sincerely nope S ~ no cn
under any designation anu should such or
citizen OF tho South who would not heartily engage in
the work Of e1terminang or putting them down GIVE
so many OF us have been heretofore deprived, |
aud shall take pride in performing this and all other
men in this the loved land of nativity. and with
patriotic zeal, and with an iniexble regard for our
of Roman virtue, pledge ourselves, before God and
man, 70 see TO Il that the laws OF the land are every
and It's authorized functonares treated with becoming
courtesy and respect Aid us IN binding up the yet
bleeding wounds in our body polite and assur.
shall DO hereafter reopened. Heartily do we
reGcho your concluding words, and say Z" our
country needs he oest USe Of all her sons,
whether gentle or humble, and has no moral
right TO bandage her eyes and tic her hands
behind her back Above ALL the champions OF freedom
have right to squander the opportunity now presented
guaranty which eventually insures them against all
question future" This is indeed in Judgment the
language alike OF justice and Of sound and long |
sighted and widely crcumspectve policy Allow US. Mr.
Greeley. who are now addressing you from the great
central city OF Tennessee, and with the knowledge |
and sanction OF many OF our best and most influential
citikens TO say that II would BIO indeed surprising II