Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-14


this House to adopt.
he averted again to the pret,sxts for Fed
era interference, and said that their char.
aeter, and the necessity for dio,,if7ir,s, cher
Win nouce, were mournful evidences 81
|. political demonstration. showing nv vzhai
frali tenure our liberties ars beid m
t night Of State IN the Union In hold her
= own elections, and decide all contests a-;s-
ing therefrom in her own tribunals e 49,
. brought in question; and interference IL IL
! voked by the defeated candidate az aga;,s.
the multiplied thousands Of his o1v,, 49,,
trymen who rejected him for their syss 80
highest officer. He is struggling with b;s
confederates to exchange the poorlv H..
guised scon for the sullen malice Of he
people. We trust that he will fail n
the law has been violated. as CHARGED
why have not the State courts been in.
voked for relief Courts ara open and zt;iI
presided over by judges chosen by the
memonalists themselves? But it is broadly
intimated IN the memorial that Tennesses
Is guilty of great crime for seeking to
change the Constitution under which she
was re-admitted-that il is a violation Of a
contract or of faith for her 70 do so. Again
do we see how the habitual exercise of
guilty power perverts the intellect of man.
Iney are ready to go beyond the opinions
OF tne summers canvass, and proclaim Al
lrrevocable Constitution. Surely such an
aDsurdufy VIII bring no favor to their cause
motive. -
We repeal laws that we're enacted in a
spirit OF revenge and malice. that have
either been unexeeused or have been the
fruitful source Of disorder and strife. We
repeal Laws that have burthened All classes
and conditions with intolerable taxation.
We repeal laws that were passed profess
edly for the security and protection Of lovaI
men, the only effect Of which was 10 render
them insecure and in need Of protection.
I We repeal common school system that
brought its burdens 10 al and its bleesi1rs
to none, save the agents who were cheroe<5
with its revenues We STRIFE from 3ha
statute book various enactments appF:aable
to courts aud juries, calculated. If not d.
signed, to defeat justice and mock her most
solemn fonns-and all this, it is asserted.
has been done to the prejudice Of a PARTY
or class or race that has never eniOved sueb
perfect peace and immunity from wrong
since the close Of the war as they enjoy
this day.
He referred to the peace and good order
that prevailed throughout the State. and
said that the predictions of conservative
men had been abundantly fulfilled. We
are reaping the fruits Of legislation. not in
the interest of class or party, but in the
interest Of an entire people, irrespective
OF race, color, previous condition on past
political opinions. The continuation of
such policy viii insure great and lasting
results to the people Of Tennessee 20 be
seen at no distant day in her restored com
merce, her fourishing agriculture, her in
creased population and her regenerated
manhood He felt the utmost confidence
IN the patriotism and ability of the Con
stitutional Convention, and anticipated,
for the State, the happiest results TO their
labors. Such body of men had never
assembled in Tennessee before, and not
this generation would witness such another.
He closed by expressing the conviction
that the same wise and liberal spirit that
has marked the legislation Of this session,
viii characterize the Constitution soon to
be submitted to the people.
Mr.. Fleming offered the following as an
additional resolution:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
General assembly that the rights of all
persons now entitled to suffrage in this
organic law of the State
Mr.. Fleming earnestly appealed to the
House to adopt his amendment, contend
ing that In acting on thu question Of suf-
frage we should now take no backward
step, but guaranty, permanently. full
political rights to the eOlored man.
Mr.. Smith took the same view.
Mr.. Steel reviewed briefly the history Of
Radical legislation in Tennessee, and
urged the adoption Of Mr.. CaldwsI's reso-
luton.
Mr.. White warmly urged the adoption
of Mr.. Jennings amendment. Extending
full justice to the negro was not matter
of political necessity, but question Of DO
hical right. The country should know
how the Legislature of Tennessee stood on
the question of impartial suffrage.
Mr.. Agee said that while he had nothing
to do with getting up the memorial to
Congress referred 10, he Endorsed the main
portions of that document He referred
TO how the election was carried out in his
county, stating that it was in violation of
law. He went on 10 specify particulars in
which the action of the Legislators was
otherwise than cOnciiiatory, referring,
among other things, TO the resolution look
ing to the sale of the portraits Of Brown
low and Gen. Thomas. He Thought it a
little suspicious that this House should be-
come SO anxious all ut once to secure the
eolored man his rights
Mr.. Enloe responded that the reason did
not lie in the fact of being afraid of Con-
gress. Perhaps one reason was that col
ored men had become sufficiently intelh-
gent to defeat the Radical party. He went
on tc censure the course Of the Republi-
cans in the Legislature in sending out
manifesto containing glazing misrepresen-
tations
Mr.. Singletary defended the action of
the Legislative Republicans. As repre-
senting a political party opposed to the
majority in this body, they had a perfect
right to act as they did. He thought the
present resolution injudicious and unwise,
in that its wording was anything but con
ciliatOry.
Mr. Spears offered an amendment to Mr.
Jennings amendment, which was accept
ed, that all male citizens not convicted Of
crime should be entitled to the elective
franchise
The amended amendment was then
adopted Di1G U0cs unanimously.
Mr. Fleming moved to amend the reso-
luton by striking out that part in refer
ence to memonalizing Congress, and sui
stitute an appeal to the people of the
United States
Mr.. James, of Hamilton, wes utterly op-
posed to memorializing Congress. Il
would be a compromise of self-respect on
the part Of the Legislature of a State as
much in the Union as that Of New York or
Massachusetts,. He did not believe Con
gress contemplated such thing as terrific
rializing our State. Even if Congress was
disposed TO act In this direction, he still
opposed petitioning that body. He would
prefer being under the heel Of one tyrant
than three hundred. We could not afford
to be placed in the attitude Of beggars and
and suppliants. He hoped the resolution
would be referred to committee.
Mr.. Smith favored an appeal 10 Cen
gress.
Mr.. Steele offered an additional resolu-
ton, that the thanks of the people of the
State aro due 60 President Grant for his re
fusal to adopt the eounsels Of those who
have so long resisted our attempts TO
secure equal and impartial justice to all
On motion, the resolution and amend
msnt were referred to the COMMITTEES on
Federal Relations.
NEW Bills AND RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr.. Townsend-A bill 10 incorporate
the Safe Deposit Company of Memphis.
Passed
By Mr. Enloe-A bill to incorporate the
Huntington Masonic Mutual Aid Society.
Passed
By Mr.. James, Of Hamilton:
Resolved, by the House Of Representa-
mn