Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-10-02

spect throughout the world than the
United States2 Wherever the stars and
strives fly they command respect. Even
in Paris, where excitement reigns SUI
preme, your flag is respected Every
American citizen has it over his house.
Our policy in an early period has dictated
caution.
There is one other topic. The Constitu
ton adopted by our Democratic friends j.
convention last winter, contains mann
things that / claim to be odious. Il re-
wives the succession ordinances of 1861,
and puts them in full force. What else
in this connecticut The Radical Legis-
lature passed 8 law giving to the poor
man $3.50 worth of property, irrespective
of what it might be constituted, as q
homestead. The present Legislature re-
pealed that, but the present constitution
contains provision for homestead law,
something that was never done before in
a civilized country. When you contract
with man for 81. 900 you know it, and
give him credit accordingly. But when
the midnight assassin OF rObber comes
along and steals your horse, and you sue
him, he falls back upon his homestead.
That is all wrong, but there it is in your
Constitution, and you cannot alter 1t with
out calling another convention This is
but minor objection have to the Con-
stitution. When our country got through
its peril, when this late civil war came to
glorious conclusion, when our friends
who were engaged in it came home, they
came expecting no other rights than to be
permitted to live here, and work to sup
port their families. They never thought
about voting until they lived here awhile,
then they concluded to vote. The Legis-
lsture passed law compelling them to
live here five years before they could vote.
was not in that Legislature, and hence
did not vote for the law. In 1859, by
some way or other, every man got q GER
tifcate TO vote. A convention was called
and they proposed toenfranchisee everybody
and yet their constitution DISTINGUISHES
everybody, unless you pay for it. Before
you can vote, you have to have a certifi-
cate for the person holding the election
that you have paid your poll tax. THAT
is wrong. You are putting upon suffrage
price, and nothing but corruption will
follow The right to vote should never
be paid for, and if should be your next
Governor, shall ask the Legislature to
have the constitution so amended as to let
every man vote without paying price
therefor. You might as well produce q
certificate showing that you have paid the
tax on your property. Let every man,
rich or poor, stand alike before the law
This same constitution provides that the
Legislature shall have power to pass laws
requiring each man TO vote in his own
civil district. That is wrong. A man
should be permitted to vote any place in
, the county. l understand that it was
law was passed to compel each man to
vote in his own district, so that they
could see if they voted right.
This is the first speech have made in
the canvass. l have got two competitors
and think I can beat both of them as
easy as one. However that may be,
recognize both as gentlemen, and am
willing to divide time with them, but
don't want TO take up one of them and let
the other be making speeches somewhere
else. | am q native Tennesseean, and
whatever have or have been is made in
Tennessee. If / should be elected Cover
nor, l pledge you hat the laws shall be
faithfully executed, and if am not able
to do it, 1 shall call upon the President
of the United States for aid, even if it
shall reach to reconstruction l say that
a government that cannot protect its peo-
pie ought to be reconstructed. do not
want it, but whenever it comes to the
point that the State authorities cannot
protect its people, call upon Uncle Sam
and ne will help you. These are my
views, and 1 thank you for the attention
you have given me, and viii thank you
more for your generous vote on the Sth Of
November next.