The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-01-20
Tannaaaen.

49,
says;
"The important memorial of seven
Of the eight representatives in Con-
gress from Tennessee, whose conclusions
arc warmly Endorsed by Senator Brown
low, asking for such legislation as will af-
ford relief to the loyal people of the State
against the violent proceeding of a Leg
%islature elected by rebel votes, and main
" composed of disfranchised men, will be
read with great interest. The paper was
not signed by Hon. Isaac r. Hawkins, the
representative from the 7th district, Tor
by Mr.. Fowler, the other Senator, though
they do not dispute the main facts so tenn
perately and clearly set forth. That Con-
gross will find it necessary to interpose
for the protection of the people hardly
admits of a question. Where the disease
is so pronounced the remedy cannot be
far off. One alternative receives grave
consideration among thoughtful men. 1t
is the passage of a general law enforcing
the third section of fourteenth article of
the Constitution against all persons dis
franehised under that section exercising
any Official trust either Of Il State or ma
tioual character until they have been duly
relieved by the two houses Of Congress.
This would efTectually nullyfy the acts Of
the distranchisod Legislature elected
which Senter, and would arrest the SIMS
ter work Of tie ~disloyal State Convention
which meets at Nashville to-day, avowed-
ly for the purpose Of destroying the main
features of the republican State Constr
tuition and assailing the rights of the col
ored population. There can be no doubt
as 10 the alarming condition of Tennessee.
On this point the memorial we print this
morning is conclusive, and the information
received by every days mail gives unan-
swerable confirmation. 1t is a case de-.
handing the prompt action Of Congress"
The Knoxville Wins, in referring to the
above and memorial, which will be found
in this issue, says;
at will be seen whether or not there is
any danger of Tennessee's being thrown
back into a territorial condition, and who
the parties are that are pressing this mat.
ter. Our readers are aware how earnest
ly and persistontly we have lahored to in
culcato among all classes of our citizens
and all parties, a spirit of unity and har-
mony-not that thereby we wanted to
build up any party organization, but that
VIC might pour oil upon the troubled wa
tiers and promote the great objects of the
country in building up and sustaining its
material prosperity.
We oppose the present movement, not
because it is inaugurated by the radical
party, but for an honest conviction that it
will do more harm than good. 1t is all
wrong, and we believe calm and cautious
men, of all parties, win agree with us. 1t
will check and paralyze every interst Of
the State, and no class viii it more seri.
ously affect than the farmers. They do
not want any more agitation, and when
we state that everything, in cur judg-
mcnt, will be done to restore order and
harmony BY the present Convention, we
/ Simply LtLtI NuuL We DClltNC W W. NluG'
At any rate it would be wise to wait and
sec. Thou it will be time enough to COM
plain, when there is a wrong perpetrated
Tennessee, perhaps, has not been 50 quie.
fer many years as she is now. Wonld il
not be cruel to disturb that quiet merely
for the purpose of gratifying a few disap.
pointed and sore-headed politicians. Lei
them "8geat." Who wants the country
torn to pieces to please them, and to give
them a short lease of their political lives
The truth is politicians have we'll nigl
ruined this fair heritage we own-thi
glorious country purchased by the blooc
Of our revolutionary fathers and hande'
down to u by them as our legacy forever
The people have had no hand in it. Thei
skirts, thank God, are clear and undefled
This article will reach hundreds of then
who have never yet contributed to swo!
and to intensity the strife which has bee
so rampant in many sections of the coun
try. Politicians, and they alone, hav
done the fatal work. viii they pause
and seriously consider what they are dc
ing?