Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-09


1t is now more than twenty-five years
since the Convention was held which
adopted our present State Constitution.
Circumstances have rendered the assem-
bling of this Convention imperative. The
people demand il with unparalleled una
nimity. It's duties re of emostresp0nsible
character But we believe the Con
vention 10 be fully competent to meet the
exalted anticipations formed Of its de-
liberations. We believe it the equal in
dignity and ability of the Convention of
1884 or that OF 1896. There Is but one
delegate in this Convention who was
delegate in the Convention Of 1854; that
is Col. Boiling Gordon, Of Hickman.
There was bat one delegate Of the Conyen-
ton of 1884 who was a member Of the
Convention Of 1896; that was Isaac Wal
ton, of SumLer.
The Convention of 1876 was begun
and held at Knoxville on the 18th day of
January, 1896 The members Of that
Convention were:
From Blomt-Dayid Craig, James
Greenaway, Joseph Black, Samuel Glass.
From DaUils0n-John McNairy,
Andrew jackson, James Robertson,
Thomas Hardeman, Joel Lewis.
From Grcene-Samuel Frazier, Ste
phen Brooks, William Rankin, John Gal
breath, Elisha Baker.
From Haa0kjn8-James Berry, Thorn
as henderson, Joseph McMinn, William
Cooke, Richard, Mitchell.
From Observation-Disclosures Outlaw,
Joseph Anderson, George Dohcrty, James
Roddye, Archibald Roam.
From RnOr-William Blount, James
White, Charles McClung, John Adair.
From SuUiraa-George Rutlcdgc,
William c. c. Claiborne, John Shelby,
ir., John Rhea, Richard Cannon.
From ,SeviCr-Peter Bryan, Samuel
Wear, Spencer Clack, John Clack,
Thomas Buckenham.
From TenneS8ee-Thomas Johnston,
James Ford, VIM. Fort, Rob't. Prince,
VIM. Prince.
From VaShingto5t-Landon Carter,
Jno. Upton, Leroy Taylor, James Stuart,
Samuel Handley.
William Blount was chosen President
Of the Convention, and VIM. Maclin,
Secretary. The Convention met on the
1Ith January, and adjourned February G.
Of the Convention Of 1884 William 3.
Garter was President, and William X.
Hill, Secretary. As the names Of the
members Of that Convention are published
in the Code We omit the publication.
There is no copy of the journal Of its
proceedings in the State Library and We
know Of but one copy il tie city 1t met
MAJ -. 1854 and adjourned August 30.
As somewhat german 10 the subject
we publish below the opening proceedings
Of the Virginia Convention Of 1929, Of
which James Madison was President, and
of which James Monroe, James Madison,
John Marshall, John Randolph, John Ty-
Ter, Benz. ". Leigh, Wm. Leigh, VIM.
B. Giles, John !. Mason, Abel P Up
shur all many others Of high distinction
were members. That convention met on
the J.l Of October, 1929, and adjourned
Jan. -, 1880. The following is the
opening proceedings OF that convention:
MONDAY, Oct. ., l829.-TLc Conycn-
ton elected for the purpose Of revising
the Constitution Of this State assembled
this day in the Capitol. The attendance
was very general, the entire number Of
delegates being present with the cNccp-
ton Of siN persons, detained Ny iudiSpO-
lion
At little after Il O'Clock, Nj Mali
son rose and addressed the Convention.
He stated the pTOpriety of organizing the
body 10y the appointment Of a President:
and he therefore nominated James Mon
roe as qualified to fill the chair, and one
whose character and long public services
rendered it unnecessary for him to say
more than present him respectfully 10 the
notice of the house.
No other candidate being put il nom
ination, the question was put on the nom
nation of Mr.. Monroe, and he was elect
Cd mem con.
Mcssrs. Madison and Marshall having
conducted him TO the chair, Lie addressed
the Convention nearly in the following
terms:
Having served my country from very
early life, in al its highest trusts and
most difficult emergencies, from the most
important of which trusts | have lately
retired, l cannot otherwise than feel with
great sensibility, this proof Of the high
confidence of this very enlightened and
res pectable assembly. Il was my ear
nest hope and desire, that q very distin-
gushed citizen and friend, who has
preceded me in several of these high trusts,
and who had great claim 10 that prece-
deucc, should have taken this station, and
| deeply regret the considerations which
have Induced him 10 decline it. The
proofs Of his very important services, and
the purity Of lis life, will 60 down to our
latest posteTity; and his Example, aided by
that Of others whom | need not mention,
viii give a strong prop to our free system
Of government.
l regret my appointment from another
consideration . fear that I shall not be
able 10 discharge the duties of the trust
with advantage TO my country. l have
never before held such q station, and am
ignorant Of the rules of the House.
have also been afflicted Of late
with infrnity, which still exists,
to a degree, to form a serious obstacle.
Being placed, however, here, l will exert
my best faculties, physical and mental,
such as they are, at every hazard, to dis
charge its duties to The satisfaction Of this
assembly and of my country.
This assembly is called for The most
important object. It is to amend our
and thereby give new sup
port 10 our system of free republican
government Our constitution was the
first that was formed in the Union, and il
has been in operation since. We had at
that period the examples only n the
ancient republics before us; We have now
the experience OF more than half a cen
century OF ibis, Our own conStitu-
ton, and Of those Of all our
sister States If it las defects as
| think il has, experience viii have