Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-07
COUNsELING RESISTANCE TO THE
AUTHORITIES,

In noticing the fact that the ne
groes in Rutherford county had, by
the confession of some of their num-
Der, been urged by despicably mean
white men to the commission of
lawless acts, even that of murder,
that the Radicals might profit by it,
we said that ''this matter should be
thoroughly sifted, and if the men
who have been stirring up the bad
blood of the negroes can be found,
they should bepunished by a long
term in the penitentiary." The
Knoxville Press and Herald copies
our remarks and says:
We would suggest to our cotemporary
that there is very little need of further
'sifting" to get at the ring leaders in the
work Of stirring up bad blood and strife"
Maynard and his associates have deliber-
ately and impudently given their names
to the world as counsellors of resistance
to the authorities whom the people Of
Tennessee, by an unprecedented majority,
have chosen to administer the State COWS
eminent. In their dying Protest. they
say:
"The election then, held without
law-for it will be borne in mind that no
attempt was made to observe the old
law in force prior to the rebellion-and
held in open, undisguiSed violation Of the
law, is, in legal contemplation, simply
null, invalid, obligatory upon nobody. 1t
would not have been more completely so
had it been carried by admitting to the
ballot box the women and school chill
dren of the State or the citizens Of
the neighboring States. 1t is revC-
luton under the form of popular cleo
ton. Like all political revolutions, its
character in the future will depend upon
its success. If successful it will indu-
rate into the permanent government, if
not it will dissolve and disappear as did
its great prototype, the Southern Confed-
eracy. Shall it succeed, is question
which addresses itself to the people of
the State and to the federal government.
If they acquiesce, their acquiescence es.
tabliSheS it and clothes the usurpation
and revolution with the dignity of recog.
nized authority. If they do not, then,
like all previous attempts at subverting
governments, it will fail and cover its
authors with merited opprobium and
disaster"
Now, we ask every man who compre-
bends the import of the English language,
what does this remarkable document
mean but to suggest to the negroes and the
few white men who supported Stokes, the
necessity of rebelling against the authority
Of Governor Senter, and of disregardiDg
the laws that may be enacted by the ia
coming Legislature? 1t can mean nothing
else, and it is but "paltering with words"
to say that it is not an incendiary appeal
for resistance to the lawful government of
Tennessee: In Legal cen emp ion" Nay
nard and his cooconspirators say the election
sis simply null, invalid, and obligatory up
on nobody" If the people "acgl9cSce'
they say "their acquiescence establishes it |
Chat is, the State government and clothes |
the usurpation and revolution Chat il, the |
lawful election of Governor and Legisla- |
ture elect) with the dignity of recognized |
authority" But they Continue, "if they |
(the people, do not acquiesce" then 1T |
the lawful State government will fail"
Here, the people are directly urged not TO
submit to, or aCqpiesCe in the lawful gov
eminent of Tennessee. Maynard and |
some of his associates hold positions of
prominence. They are looked 10 by their
deluded followers for counsel. They have
heretofore had power, and the great ma
Of the negroes, esp cially, have been
Taught to regard them as infallible. What
wonder is it, then, that We are already be-
ginning TO hear Of such lawIess-
ness and violence az have just occur
red in Rutherford? When
such incendisry and reasonable
appeals az the above are boldly printed
aud industriously circulated by such men
IA Maynard, and when our rigid sedition
Ict remains in full force upon our statute
,Ooks, why should justice make her minis
ry a mere mockery by cOnlenting herself
With the imprisonment aud punishment of
seyea ntgrCe'," while the insligatCrs of
awlessness and resistance to authority
talk at large and advertise their treason
through the public journals of the country?
f the law is TO take lis course" in the
ase Of the Rutherford rioters, then let it
AXE its full course. Why pass by the
tall poppies"-the authors and suggesters
{ the mischief. and seek TO satisfy the law |