Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-01
The following letter is published in the

buS VI lily UuSillCoo CukdEC-
| ments, and MOI to any want of apprecia-
ton of the important questions you sub
NIT for my consideration. - .l...5
My answer shall be general one, but
substantially covering the ground indica-
ted by you, as I understand the several
matters referred TO. 'J
You first refer to my political and mill
tary antecedents, and rightly characterize
me as Republican. During the exist
ence of the Wing party closely followed
its fortunes under its great leader, who
was the object of my political idolatry;
and when the Republican party was born
and first organized in my native State of
Michigan, under the leadership of those
sterling and able Republicans whonow so
worthily fill their places in the Senate of
the United States, at once cast my for
tunes with them, and can refer you to
both of them as to my political status in
the State of Michigan.
Soon after the firing upon Fort Sum-
ter abandoned the profession of the law,
and joined the ''Boys in Blue, " to wage
war against those who dared to fire on
the Stars and Stripes, and continued in
the army until near the close of the war,
in command, for long time, of the
Third Michigan cavalry, whose deeds
need no eulOgium from me. During the
latter part of the rebellion my regiment
was stationed in various parts of West
Tennessee, and had excellent OppOrtuni-
ty TO make the acquaintance of her peo-
pie, and was so favoTably impressed with
her genial climate, geographical advan-
tages, and the general hospitality of her
people, that determined to make Tennes-
see my home, and when discharged from
the service, located at Memphis, where
have since remained.
1t is proper to state in this connection
that my business has been very extensive
with the colored people of the South.
have thus been brought in close contact
with thousands of cOlOred people, and
have had opportunities of observing and
knowing them.
Educated in the belief that govern
ments should be so administered as to Sc
cure equal and exact justice to all, and
viewing the position of slavery abstract
edly from a distance, | was always in IA
vor of carrying out the sublime truth
enunciated in the Declaration of indie
pendence, and of making all men free be-
| fore the law. And when | came to I'M
derstand the cOlOred men, and saw the
qualities they possessed, noticed their
good conduct during the entire rebellion,
their patience under injury and the alb
sence of all malice toward their former
masters, and especially their patriotic de-
votion TO the Union, l felt sure that my
early predictions and convictions were
correct, and that such race of men were
entitled to all the rights of freemen. And
now predict that in very few years
those who have entertained a different
opinion will be ashamed of their preju-
dice and surprised at their former blind
ness.
The colorcd people of Tennessee are
now enjoying the benefits of education
and are improving in a remarkable man
ner, and those who want work have
plenty of it at about their own prices.
Indeed, know some who, with the aid of
their families, are saving as high as one
thousand dollars year, and by their in
| dustry, frugality, and general good con-
| duct, command the respect of all men.
| think the colored men generally in Ten
nessee are contented and happy, and if
| few miserable demagogues and political
| adventures, who have no stake in the
country and live only by their wits and
the divisions of the people, would let
| them alone, the State of my adoption
would soon present tie glorious example
| of a harmonious and united people, seek
ing their own true welfare and the glory
of the American Union.
Permit me now to speak on the Con-
federate officers and soldiers in the State
of Tennessee and 20 do them simple
Justice.
These men were as earnest and sincere
in the advocacy of their peculiar views
as were the officers and soldiers of the
Union army. They staked life, liberty,
property and political rights upon the re-
suit of the contest; they were a brave,
resolute, determined foe, and achieved
great results under most unfavorable cir
cumstances. The issue was the right OF
State secession, a doctrine fatal TO the
Union, but imbued in their minds through
| a long series of years by their trusted
political leaders, and they were beaten,
almost annihilated, upon the appeal to
| the sword: they have acknowledged their
| defeat, laid down their arms, and sub
| mitted themselves to the mercy and mag
| nanimity of their cOnquerors.
Now. what have they since done IN this
| State to show that they were not sincere
in their submission to the authority of the
Federal government They have inter
posed no obstacles to the execution OF the
laws. however obnoxious they might be t.
them.
In some instances bitter enmities, en-
gendercd by the war, and growing out OF
a most unnatural and fratricidal state o
things, have been terribly avenged; bu
this is only in very exceptional cases, anC
the surprise of every thinking man is
that so little bitterness remains, and tina
7 | we are almost on the eve of universe
t fraternity and harmony.
, The Ku-Klux Khan was organized las
5 hear from those who have no reason
1 mislead mel to brighten petty thieves an
prevent their traversing the country a
night; but having been diverted to Impro
ner objects, and made use of by bad me!
+. for base purposes, have all been abandon
ed. and don't believe there is one sue
: organization in Tennessee. Such mer
I, enbemeral secret organizations canno
long exist among a free people jealous o
: their rights.
|, UL,ef as hare peace" was the talisma
= which united all the elements of the grea
Republican party and the war Democrat
Y in favor of the election of the soldle
5 statesman who now SO quietly and eff
GENTLY rules the nation.
Let as alone; permit us to COVER
ourselves; to harmonic discordant eli
= ments; to reconstruct and renovate on
:. waste places; to rebuild our broken raj
n roads and construct new ones; and do n'
" treat us as aliens and strangers, unworth
IT of your confidence and trust, but help I
in all matters pertaining to the protectln
power of the Federal Government; IN I'd
establishment of improved mail and tcie
Ie graph facilities; in the erection OF leve'
IS to confine the great Father OF Watel
al within proper bounds; in the reclamatlo
u of the rich cotton lands of the South, Uni
opening new and waste fertile helds 1
richly remunerative labor; in providing Il
, the prompt adjustment of the Just clam
q of the loyal citizens of the South. Thes
+ with other kindred measures, we call upc
7 cur Republican Congress to favor, as I'M
will endear the South to the Republics
~ party and strengthen the bond OF unic
OF between the States.
ne do not urge this line of policy D
- Of