Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-03-23
PROTEST.
The Citizens of Nashville, Of every
Party, SOIemnly Protest
Against Recon-
struCtiOn.

Il
Congress: Ext = XVbitworth, Wm.
q. Brien: w. Matt b. awtll 9lniId IIiO.IT1 Judre a
w. johnson, Judge J. G. =, Battle.
n. Baker, General Joel n, TsIker.
Orville Ewing, Major /. ID. " ZEN
General Theodore Trauernicht, 4
eral 4. Il. Z. Dawson.
The committee retired and after
brief absence returned and reported q
series of resolutions dignihed, just and
truthful, as a declaration OF the peace
able and law-abiding intentions OF the
people OF the State. These, iOr Wnlch
we regret we cannot find room, were.
adopted unanimously, also the Hollow
ing memorial and protest addressed TO
the President and Congress OF the
United States:
Tothe President Of the United States and
the Congress Of the United States:
The undersigned, citizens of the
State Of Tennessee, under the prOVi-
sion OF the Constitution which secures
10 the people the right Peacea0ly TO
assemble and petition the Govern
ment for a redress Of grievances, by
way of petition and Temonstrance,
would most respectfully petition ana
ask the President OF the OnlIed
States and the Congress OF the United
States-the latter to deslst from an al
tempts to organize for US Military
Government in place Of our Constltu-
tionaI Government, and the former as
Chief of the army, 10
protect US against any attempt 10
overthrow our State Government
Petitioners most respectfully show
that thev are a uart of the people VINO
make the State of Tennessee, and, as
such, are keenly alive to the threat
ened danger from a movement now
being made by = few members OF Cor
gress in reference to the State. Inc
attempt to destroy our State govern
ment by an enrichment of Congress-
and 10 put US under military rule, ana
call it reconstruo lion, is the establish
ment OF a despcItism, and none the
less so because done by legislative
enactment. Iti more gentle than i
done by the sW ord; but the loss o
liberty Is precisely the same. Feeling
fhis threatened l0sss Of liberty keenly
petitioners most respectfully pray
calm hearing OF their case; ana they
submit the following facts:
since 1876 Tenn essee has been one
of tba Tnited States of Amerlcf
With a Constitution republican IL
form. In the war of 1872, and IN th'
Indian wars of 1918 and 1885, and II
fine Mexican war, she performed he
mart of the service with alacrity, anC
many of her sons sleep upon the helI
where the nations flag needed
friends. o..
In the late war between the GOV
ernment and the States in rebellioA, l
Is due to truth TO state that the peOpI
uere diyided-diVided upon incl
honest convictions of duty, and lk
brave men, after thB war came, stOOl
nv their respective convictions Wit
their lives in their hands until
closed. This was a natural conse
0uence among a people who had Dee
in the habit OF thinking Tor item
selves. and who occupied Doroe
territory.
But petitioners would further STATE
that the people Of Tennessee were. q.
most 10 a man. united in their el1Or'
10 ureveut this war, as their NoJe J
February, 1851, showed.
In this four years struggle Ienne'
soc was the great theater OF suiie, an
from one end to the other she was
soIriiers' epcampment. Both armlt
occupied her territory, and what Wt
a land of plenty was made the iand
desolation. AT the close OF the wa
and sffer the soldiers in the SOutheT
army. who survived the struggle, pa
surrendered as prisoners Of war, the
came home to empty storehouse
hncuItiyated fields ana suffering fam
lies. .--.., a.
Federal Government, the former
IotiOns between the two were at on
restored. and for nearly hVe yea
these relations have been undisturbe
TTba state has been all this time ful
TeDresented in Congress, and has ms
. Governor. Legislature and a IL
Judiciary. al. .;,t -,
,,asIrad men. in z few instances, ha
non1mittedr ssime, nor do petitIOnt
6oIieve that III all cases the civil ol
- have done all that might hs,
boan done to prevent crime; but ID
Drev that the whole people shall =
pa made TO suffer the severe penal
- . los of liberty for this, and
shall iail to do their duty
During the whole time since
,per. ana up 70 the present tllle,
,eoJ,,a have not been and are NOT az
FeSbonsi lie for the elass oil men no
inc the peace othces. c,.-
1be entire judiciary, the ener
ond Constables throughout ne ~
wore nearly all elected, ana otIleI" eL.',
mt in Office, under the most pecIi'
circumstances. A Legislature WIl
had no sympathy with the peo
GENERALLY. excluded from the DaiiOl- [
sbont -fifths ofthe white men ia
E.Ste. They also conferred uPou
'S .,rnor q discretion OF settlis a.
oIoctio,,s at his pleasure, anu Any.
eletoiolf to ~ things continued untlI
ssaUo sHn1 year ago. The peace oih'
.lliaL - : S,ste. who are responsible
- 90 IL Iosce and good order OF the !
Svesr nut 10 ONCE Whlle TINS =
mo- lasted. The iGW men In
Pt> % were not eXtFemisss' q
oi IN. @utitled to vote under
State Wa >rly all excluded
' VINO Mele s.o no by partisan re
denied reglsratlo- years, "
trars. -as 2 IL
Hence, for nearly fOu. -Va- =
uas called the ballOt-bOX W.
mode of appointing partisan Ia
TO office. and the people had no vO-
Thesa anDointees are still in Office Z
over the State, aud your Petiiione
earnestly appeal 10 Congress, ana a
that tbe people shall not be held
sDonsible for omissions Of duty, II IN
eTist of men who are in no way {
agents or servants OF the people
Nv a late decision of the Supfel
Court of the State reversing the actl
~ the former Governor IN deprlYi
Dersons (WhO were entitled 70 N'
hinder the law Of their certihcat
obont tEenty thousand white mt
who had been kept from the bail
box by order Of the Governor, ha
been restored to the right Of sutrai
A very large number are stlli u1sl,' iasl.
chised, but petitioners pray ,,le. Hiae
action shall be taken against rem rem
see until an election Is helu III WI WI
the white people, or some respecIa
portion Of them, have a voice III
selection of peace officers, ana VI VI
such peace officers SO Seiected 81
fail 10 do their duty-iall 10 ehio
the law IN case OF crime.
Petitioners would further st'tte I
the hope of reconstruction by es'
fishing a military government ha'
Encouraged all that class of men
expect Office by the white people
ing again disfranchiseds that they
unite willing TO see the law vloii
and the offenders 90 Onpunlsned'
titioners submit with confidence,
as long as the enforcement OF the
r rNnrt