Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-20
uEcnns.rnIIc.a.snn

Yesterday assembled at the OOurtnOuSe TO
consider the proposed reconstruction of
Tennessee by Congress, and to take such
action rs might be best calculated to avert
that threatened calamity The meeting
was called to order by Gen. A. r. z. Daw-
son. who moved that Mayor K j. Morris
take the chair. The motion was received
with unanimous approval, and Mayor Nor
MS took the chair and briefly explained the
object Of the assemblage.
On motion of L. F. Beech, Esq, the
gentlemen of the press present were re-
quested to act as Secretaries of the meet
ing
On motion Of A. S. Colyar, the chair ap-
pointed committee Of twelve to prepare
resolutions expressive Of the views and
feelings of the meeting. The following
named gentlemen we're appointed sad
committee and retired for the purpose OF
preparinc the resolutionss EE-Gov. n. ;.
Brown. A. S. Colyar, James Whltwort b,
VIM. G. Brien. W. Matt Brown, Col. A.
w johnson. Judge ]. G. Guild, Judge n.
BAXTER Gen Joel A. Battle, Orville Ewing,
Mai. 1. ID. Walker, Gen. Theodors Irauer-
NIGHT.
When the Committee had retired, Gen.
Dawson being requested to address the
meeting. stated that he was not prepared
to make speech, however much he might
desire to do so on this important occasion;
He proceeded, however, in an earnest and
ELOQUENT manner to give the meeting ms
views Of the present situation IN Iennes-
see and the threatened overthrow of the
State Government by the Congress OF the
limited States. Gen. Dawson referred to
his connection with the Federal army du-
rino the war. and said that although now
nro1d of his humble efforts in sustaining
The cause of the Union, he could
feel orieved to see those with whom be
had Joined in battling for that cause, and
Who now control the destinies of the
American Republic, seeking to disrupt the
Union and to reduce sovereign States to
military vassalage The views of Gen.
u ON the proposed reconstruction are
distinctly set forth in a letter to Mayor
Morris and others, which was subsequently
read to the meeting and is published this
morning. His remarks we're heartily ap-
nlauded' and his hearers seemed deeply I'M
pressed by his sensible and patriotic views
RESPONDING to the call made upon him.
| jackson b. White, Esq, said it was unne'
cessary for him to make a speech, but be
| inc M. ho might be excused for saying thai
the best thing for people to do at all times
whether in prosperity or adversely, wnethel
| in the midst of political commissions, or tnt
| calm that succeeds the storm, was to at
| tend TO their own business, act honestly
treat everybody kindly, and trust In frov
| idence for the Just reward OF merit. I'M
the people of Tennessee were trying to do
and he hoped they might continue tnel
com,aendable effort SO that, no mattel
| how successful were the efforts OF thost
now seeking to Cypress them, Tennesseeani
MIGHT at least keep their consclences VOID
ofense against God or man.
| Mr. White introduced Thos. McNelly
| ESQ of Dickson county, who briefly ad
dressed the meeting, stating that he wa
glad to see the people protesting IN apeace
able and respectful manner against III
threatened overthrow of civil government
in Tennessee. Mr.. McNelly SAID the PEG
pie of Dickson county had submitted Il
good faith TO the results OF the late war
and were as peaceable and law ABIDING, ant
would so continue if given the opportu
nity. He believed the proposed recon
struction was the effort of bad men to &c
or retain Office, and heartily joined his tel
| low-citizens in protesting against the In
iquitious purposes of corrupt office seekers
AS Mr.. McNeily closed his remarks tn
Committee on Resolutions returned, AM
their report was read, as follows, by Ex
Gov. Nell S. Brown
The people of this city and county hav
seen, with surprise and regret, the attempt
made from time to time for several week
past. TO bring into disrepute our State, GU
people. and our authorities. It has beel
asserted by nameless correspondents OF Oh
| ferent papers at distance, and by memo
| rails from irresponsible sources, thai on
people had become utterly lawless -tha
the loyal portion of them were in da1ge
and had no means of safety under the law
| of the land-that such was the spirit OF IN
| subordination, and the reckless disregar'
of the persons and rights of loyal men b,
masked desperadoes and others that tn
| civil arm was powerless for protection
| The remedy invoked for these evils Is thu
reconstruction of the State, and the estab
| lishment of military government.
Such has been the pressure from thes
nameless sources upon Congress that tina
body is now considering the policy of put
/ ting us through a course of reconstruction
with all its attendant evils. Now we, her
assembled, are utterly opposed to all law
lessness, by whomsoever it may be perpe
trated. and as In the past, deslr
70 see all yiolators of Law brough
to speedy and condign punishment
We have no sympathy with any schemes
or devices, or combinations for the over
throw of the public authority, State o
national, but on the contrary, we ar
| committed by duty and inclination to op
| pose all such attempts. Whoever Is tn
! enemy of law and order and the rights o
all men. is our enemy, and we are his
whatever may be his color and antecedents
But are the allegations true upon whlcl
| the proposed Intervention In our affairs
| predicated? Without hesitation, we pro
| nounce them false, wicked and slanderous
come from what quarter they may. The.
are the vilest tissue of gross exaggeration
that ever teemed from the press, or wer,
uttered upon the hustings. They are tht
out-cropping of vile scheme for powe
and plumber at the expense of an impov
| erished and w-abiding people. We dc
| not deny that there is still crime commit
| ted in Tennessee. as there has always been
| but not more than is to be found in othe
| States of the same population. And W,
4
| the law are two-fold less in Tennessee thar
one year ago, and none of them political
We deny that loyal men, white or coiored
have been or are prosecuted or oppressed
or are in the least danger as a class; and
we are well satisfied that the great mass o
| the people of the State are as true and de
voted to the Government as they were
twenty years ago and that there is not al
| existing combination, of the smallest di
| mansions, that can form an exception.
The people of this community, with
! these profound convictions, and with con
| scious innocence on their own part, are not
willing to remain silent, while this vile at
| tempt is being made to condemn them I'M
heard, and to bring down upon them the
| strong arm of the Government to their own
ruin and that of the State. We protest
boldly, but respectfully and earnestly,
against these mischievous Vaccinations.
We protest against any interference in ouI
| local affairs, upon evidence that has been,
or can be adduced; and we challenge in
vestigation and scrutiny. ''Hear us, and
| then strike if you will" But we cannot
| express our honest Indignation against those
secret enemies of our peace here and else
where, who are fomenting these troubles,
without transcendins the bounds of pro,
| priety and decorum. II is sufficient to say
| that we have been, and are still being
| grossly slandered and abused, as a people
| and a State, and for the most vile and sell
fish purposes power, place and
plumber Therefore,
Resolved, That We are devoted to the
maintenance of law and order, and the sup
port of the government, both State and
national, against all enemies, domestic or
foreign; and such we believe to be the
settled purpose and determination Of the