Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-13
THE CONTEMPLATION CoF-
FEE

| To the Editors of the Union and American:
On last County Court day, there was 6
large attendance of the people of Man
chester; and in response to generally
expressed wish, Col Matt. Martin, ihe
delegate from Coffee, Grundy and Van
Buren,, addressed the people on the sub
ject of the new Constitution
The Colonel said The people had q
right to demand of him an account of
his stewardship; that he had executed the
sacred trust committed TO him to the best
of his ability, and was ready to defend
every vote he had given. That while he
had opposed some of the clauses en-
bodied in the new Constitution, he re-
garded it altogether the best that could be
done and worthy of the support of the
people. He had entered bis protest
against the poll-tax qualification for the
right of suffrage, but that this objection
was of minor Importance compared with
the great overshadowing questions of the
franchise and the reorganization of the
judiciary. That although the payment of
the poll-tax, as a condition precedent to
the right to vote, was urged by the enc
mics of the new Constitution, the real
reason for their opposition was their Sc
cret hostility to the reimbursement of
the Confederate soldiers. Trace these
men back, and it would be found that
almost, without exception, they were
opposed to Acknowledgement, and feared
that they would lose Office, and this is the
real ground of their opposition. This
evil could be removed by the Legislature
if the people SO desired, but if the people
were not enfranchised they would be left
without power to remedy this or any
other evil.
The enfranchisement of the negro was
an accomplished fact before the conven-
ton met, and any attempt on the part of
the people of Tennessee to deprive them
of that privilege would be abortive and
involve the State in difficulties with the
General Government. The forty thou
sand colOred voters in Tennessee could
not control the politics of the State, even
il they should remain hostile to the white
man, and they would entitle Tennessee to
a large additional representation in the
Congress of the United States. That as
wise men, viewing all the surroundings,
it was policy 10 lay aside our lifetime
and adapt ourselves to the new
order of things.
The Colonel spoke of other MINOR
changes in the Constitution, which he
deemed improvements on the constitution
Of 1884, and closed in his usual felicitous
style, urging every patriot and lover of
freedom to come up en- 8lGSSe and strike
he manaeles from the limbs of one
hundred thousand DISTINGUISHED sons of
Tennessee.
Capt J. c. Stone followed Col. Martin
n careful analysis of the old and new
comparing and contrasting
he two, and showing the excellencies of
he numerous changes. There was not a
change that he did not fully endorse. He |
approved the poll-tax qualification for
suffrage. No man had right to partici- |
pate in the control of the government |
hat was unwilling TO pay SO much as a
loll-tax towards its support. He should
,ive the new. Constitution his cordial
support.
Capt. S. Z. Carnes being called, said: |
lie could add nothing to the remarks of |
hO SOh1CAhCh VIII udu PAtOSuOu LII. /
lie did not think any argument was neces-
airy to convince the people OF the pro-
,riety and necessity of adopting the new |
Constitution. The Convention had been |
allied primarily to remove the restrictions |
N the Franchise and reorganize the Judi |
iary; and that having been done, he looked |
'ver other minor objections to the new Con-
titution. But it was impossible to frame |
ny Constitution that would coincide pre- |
isely with the views of every one. Gov
rnment itself Is in the nature of things a |
of conflicting interests He |
lad carefully studied the new Constitution, |
nd compared it with the Constitution of /
S34, and the Constitutions of other States, |
nd altogether it was the best Constitution |
he had ever seen.
But the question presented for the con-
liberation of the people at the coming |
lection is not whether they approve every |
lause in the new Constitution. We have |
10 option but to adopt it or remain under |
he amendments adopted by Brownlow's |
Convention of 1865, with its odious test |
'aths and restrictions on the franchise. |
lie could not doubt the choice Of every |
rue son of Tennessee.
The addresses were listened to with pro- /
ound attention and marks of appreciation /
~ the large assemblage. If any opposition |
o the new Constitution had existed it was |
Old Coffee will come almost in |
jolid phalanx for New Constitution.
MANCHESTER, Tenn. G. T.