Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-11
ssst NASHVILLE. TENN, FRIDAY, MARCH II, 1870

| bslahored for instances to sustain thei
charges. one of the cases of murder citet
by them, as of recent occurrence, was il
| 1856, and another more than twelve
months ago. and both while Senator
| Brownlow was Governor of the State
IL is true there are bad men among US
who steal, rob, and do acts of violence,
without regard 10 political opinions.
That any considerable portion of oul
people connive at such, is gross Islander
| upon people who asf orderly and strict
| ly law-abiding. AS to the charge that the
| people encourage masked marauders, we
know that the people of all political
phases condemn such, and that if such
ever existed it is now almost entirely sup
pressed by condemnation of public scnti-
ment. In proof of this, although we
have travelled great deal over different
parts of the State, we have not seen a
masked man formore than twelve months
What, then, can be the object and design
in making these false and slanderous state
mcnts? We viii attempt briefly to ex-
plain. In the political and civil confu-
sion that Immediately succeeded the close
of the war, many acts Of malfeasance and
peculation in office, and fraud upon the
State, were committed by railroad rings,
public officers and Government agents.
The powers of the Government were al
most entirely subsidized to the interest of
individuals, and large fortunes made by
few at the expense of the public treasury.
In many instances indictments formurder
and other high crimes were dismissed
without atrial, and, in brief, all the agen-
cies and resources of the State Govern
ment were used to the advantage of the
few, and to the injury of the many.
The present Legislature has attempted to
institute investigation of the acts and
doings of such State officials, as the law
authorizes and requires them to make.
Many of these fear fair and strict in
vestigation of their official acts: hence the
clamor that is raised by such, in order to
clude or prevent an investigation of their
official acts, and to excite the sympathy
of those abroad who do not know of
their misdoings and malversation in Office.
They wish to make good men in other
States believe that they are martyrs to
their political faith, and thus excite the
sympathy of all lovers of the Union,
and cause places of profit to be
assigned them by the President or
Congress, after they have lost the con-
fidence and good opinion of a people
whom they have outraged and embar-
raised Ivy their NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Such men have plundcrcd the State
Treasury, and wish TO escape justice and
an exposure of their crimes. We speak
the truth when we say, that our people
are at peace among themselves, white and
black, and if undisturbcd they viii soon
restore their individual and State credit,
and do much in the future to reflect honor
and credit upon the national Government.
No antipathy of race longer exists in our
State, but all are laboring harmoLiously
to repair their shattered fortunes and inn
prove their present condition. No idea
of resistance to or disrespeCt of the laws
of the national Government exist among
our people, but a sincere desire to see
peace, happiness and prosperity prevail
throughout the length and breadth of
this great Union. Try us, and give time
to our people, and the result will attest
the truth Of all we have said.
d. B. THOMAS,
Speaker Of the Senate,
W. ON. PERKINS,
Speaker of the House Of Representatives.