Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-10-13
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

could, at one time more than another, be
proper that those to whom its people have
delegated the solemn duties and powers OF gov
ernment should prayerfully and with earnest
| hearts i'm plore the Supreme Ruler of the uni
verse for the blessings OF wisdom and His
Guidance in their consultations, surely. the
present assembly of your honorable body
affords such OCCASION
A nation which inaugurated its existence
through q long and trying war Tor lndePenae q
nationality in conflict with, perhaps, the fore-
most European power, bad. in period not
unusual even to human life, risen In majesty
until the flags under which its existence
was won, hoated at the masts of her war-ships
or commercial vessels over every sea-a peer TO
the proudest. By land. empire was extended
fro m ocean to ocean. Before the enterprise OF
her population forests fell, and in their stead
waved rich fields of food. Fertile pralrles
yielded their abundance, and mountains OF ore
gave up their wealth to industry. With soil
the most marvellous in richness. climate the
most favorably to bodily health and mental
development; DOble rivers and inland lakes, and
long lines of railway abounded to transport, Tor
uses of commerce and consumption. the vastest
and most varied productions ever brought forth
by the industry of any nation.
But, wonderful as even these sources OF ma
terial advantage. proud and iliustrious as was
the honor of the nation. its GROWING virtue can
oRIy be mentioned in Its system OF government.
A government distinct in the history of nations
founded upon the will of the people-its
workings were all for the good OF the people. II
its powers might not be dehed with IMMUNITY By
the highe st. yet the humblest never knew OPP
preston under them. If its hand OF power was
ever revealed, it was only for the protection OF
its every citizen in his every right. Subordinate
sovereign members rejoicing in the prosperity
afforded them, fostered and encouraged the
union of their sisterhood under the supreme
government, as the sheet anchor of their safety
and surest means of their honor and welfare
Under their care thriving systems promised the
benefits of education to all; that, by the gene
raj intelligence and enlightenment of the people
the blessings of the present might be perpetual
ten to the generations to come. Nor had al
this national greatness and honor been achieved
by any special part of the people who enjoyed
it. For as its benefits. so were its glorious mem
Dries and associations common to all the sec
tions and people it blessed: In its winter cline
and in its land of sun and flowers; in its east
and in its far-reachlng west, were alike the
children and descendants of those whose wisdom
in council and valor on field had secured its
foundation. And while with other nations
growth to power and greatness has been through
generations and centuries. there were with us a
few vet living who had witnessed the natal day OF
this glorious republic, and stood sponsors for it
upon the battle fields where it had been bap-
tied in blood to independence aud nationality
Such was the condition of this great land at
the beginning of the present decade What
wonder if its honor was high among the nations
and peoples of tho earth What wonder that
the oppressed of every land turned their eyes to
it with longing hearts for its beSslngsl What
wonder if people reVered government only
ness: and as they retrospected it7 glorious past
contemplated its present power, reckOned Its
glory and grandeur to come. should feel with
exulting hearts. that II here there was not ute
of nobility to any, all enjoyed the fullest sub
stantial benefits, aud wore the proudest badge
of nobility who were mantled IN the dignity Of
free American citizenship.
Rnt mysterious are the dispensations of Prov
idence; and as q human being, let me speak
it-strauRe the courses and capTiees of the hui
man heart. In midst of all these political
blessings which. it would seem, were sufficient
to unite the hearts OF all IN prayer for their
continuance, with the suddenness of tropical
storm, devastating war, from where it could be
least expected, was preeipitated upon the land;
and a people kindred in blood, and to whom
were common the storm virtues of yaior and
earnest purpose. were launched into bloody COLI
lision, involving in its shock the life OF gov
eminent which, in all its past. had layished but
hiessings alike uDon those who had battled for
and against its existence. In what may be nee
essary alusion to the past 1t is my earnest trust
not to open q single wound Tfieh tune may Ray
bittsr rial 10 the national existence is only
made that we may, from its sad memory deriVe
that wisdom which, dlamOndshke. bright, and
nnre. and hard, is taught by experience. I'M
needed here to consider causes. 1t may be the
Divine Providence. Christening whom 1t loved,
nermitted in the suffering of nation, and the
blood of devoted men, to be written the great
ers to preserve safety to itself. mltess as those
| IL exercised in contributing advantages to ITS
| citizens Sure i. is that this glorious repuoll-
| can nation, having now certified that OF which
| II was most doubtful, stands before the world
| exalted ard with its grandeur enhanced by the
terrible ordeal through viii it has victoriously
l passed.
| safety, it must be mOuTned that where before
| was but affectionate confidence among people
| identified by participation IN the Dement'S OF
! great and generous gOvernment,years OF contest
Isft suspicion, mistrust and bitterness; and with
| her children divided and arrayed IN conhlc
| against each other, her territory alternately
trayersed by the contsndlng armies, and otter
| containing both these misfOrtunes, alasl Weri
nowhere more sadly developed than within thu
| noble State you are nOwass embed to serve; Fou
| years ragged bloody conflict IN the land; bu
| now, for an equal period has time aided II
softening the asperities and animosities 1t en-
| rendered. The equation is ausplclOus TO VIVA
| Is expected at your hands by trusting con
| stituency. To veil 1.-THE wrinkled front OF war,
| and in its stead supply the smiling cOuntenanc'
| Of neace. To substitute reconciliation and cOncOr
| for ranking discomfort and animOslty; to secure
| with fullest extent of your high powers. Wlthou
| distinction, impartial equality before the LAY
| and in political privileges to all the people Q
Tennessee, that, with united hearts and a new
| born zeal, they may press forward IN the mora
| mental and material developments Whlch n
to elevate the citizen and advantage the Stat'
| AS these are holy objects, so they may onl
, | be achieved by the noblest means, wisdom
| moderation and justice hand joined wit
| charity. These, gentlemen, IN my humbl
1 II
| to assure the ends so much to be pTlzed; END
= | the accomplishment of which, IN the mig
creed of patriotism sooner or later Is aeSStn.
r | because demanded by the honor OF the Stat
! | and the interests of the people.
THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
e OF the particular subjects to which feel
i my bounden duty to direct your attention
| the fact that while the property OF all the pc.
PIE is alike taxed for support OF the govern
!. | ment, a very large proportion Of them a.
I | without voice in the selection OF the once
J. | VINO either make, administer or execute u
i laws by which they are controlled Necessl
| for this unhappy condition. even II 1t has bee
Il time has revealed to no longer exist.
Reason. justice and the magnanimous splr
e Of our law which, though it may adopt pu
y | ishment as means, nowhere gives II u
n | dignity of an end-demand that those VINO a
st | in quiet Submission to the government Sltho
other interests save such as are in common vi
I | more favored citizens, and bearing equally tht
d portion of its burdens, should, without rega
10 antecedents. have full and equal rights
citizen, of the government. For. as an atom
Il foreign substance testers in the natural DO
Of | until expelled or appropriated oy aosOrptie
Ie 40 while In ge portion OF the state popniatl
\ | cc,nnv the anomalous relations to 1t OF bel
he conn elled to all the dutlt and ObllgallOns a
are vet denied the rights and privileges OF ca
es zens, will they, in their discontent ana resi-
ness, tester as foreign substances IN the DO
at | polite until expelled or absorbed. ExPulsl
s. is impracticable as also inconsistent with |
genius of a government whose capacity 10
|
| thof willing recipienIs of them are multiple
n | Wisdom. Craftsmanship demand that su
e. regulation should be taken up, and by absol
On ton, appropriated to the life currents If
m With ali earn estness, then, repeat to ,
THAT has heen published and declared by
on MANY other occasions, that, IN my JUG
DO ment the time has me; ana NOV Is, wren ceI
u nm6nS the peOple of the State, should end; a
er. fa- This I recommend the prOmptest and m
It efficaciOus means, directly or lndLLrTeetly; IN
IN reach and control of your honorable body.
lie With This recommendation, earnestly url
ng | from, the fullest conviction of its propriety
might with satisfaction to myself: cease
mark upon the sqs landing most to the Psop
on divisian and discomfort, and experience
Taught me that knowledge o. each others
oil | tjyes tends often to charltaoie Judgmen
rst mrn in their differences, will, IN the full
n,oasura Of kindpe ss, remind you that, at
of cnncInsion Of the late desOlating war. G
eir government in Tennessee was. IN the WeakI
49,. of infancy, estsblisneI Win So 10 LIE
cal | nnJer II have thus far, been denied the
the privileges ofcitizenship WIN N my sucn. IN
in open arms against IT, IL uld not even coh I
Mate their allegiance to or desire, OF eltll
har | Sb;n nnder H. When, therefore, the tOrtU
Lge Of war suddenly returned to It's limits, in
| bra and Influences adequate, perhaps, 70
Re- troll those whose courses auu LclloH Us n1 !.
md | The State from its union anchorage, 1t Is no
be wondered that they who ,b had put part
fbeir former civil government with the n
900 and great safTerings endured in its suspenl
the flesh in memory. should De Jeaious iOr " 4
The and under the influence OF 1stures nIst
pad law self-preseryatIon eonslder noIe tne ~
ting tages to those so recently In arms again
Until Nor was it contrary TO reason tnats IN Ih9
Iblic | settled condition succeeding the convul
which shook from center to circumference
great land they should have honesty DIRE
that coTtrOI Of the state ate, By those -, VII
snch obstinate. determined spirit agains