The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1870-04-01
)ROUGH, TENN, FRIDAY. A PRIL ], 1870


rebellious, law-defying majority of Ten
nessee, in August last, openly assaulted,
and with swift malignant haste, struck
down and trampled under foot the old
Constitution amended in 1868; and
that they we're aided in their assault
by the open treachery of one who acted
MS Governor: the action, under the
forms of law, being through appointed
officers who were known to be eagerly
willing to open the strong gates of the
citadel, ard not only permit but iavte
1.-the enemy to come IN, sack, pillage and
hlunder at will. The action, was sim
ply an open, unlawful departure from
the spirit and letter of the5republican
form Of State government; and the
result was the, foistingl lSipto executive
and Legislative pewss'Ss skowst Qssss
mics Of the reconstructed State gov
emment. h
The work of these enemies hasbeen
as rapid as it was designing and malig.
nant. All laws designed Ito yprotect
and elevate the loyal citizens, white
and black, have been swept from our
statute books; and with greedy haste
were those devoured by the rebel dem
ocratic legislative jaws which provided
common school education for all,
rich and poor, white and black, and
those providing for the suppression and
punishment of masked Ku-Klux assas.
sins,--the efficient military arm of the
revolutionists of the State. In the
place of those salutary laws, we have
those of new rebel legislative birth that
place the black man in condition lit
tie better than his former involuntary
slavery; and, in some respects, worse |;
for, whilst he has not the care and pro-
lection of "a master, his.person and hard
and suffering earnings are placed at
the mercy Of the inscriptions, aristo-
cratic landlord.
But another feature I must not omit
to note. Under panic Of fear, in
view of Congressional intervention, a
celebrated Ku-Klux bill is passed fixing
a death penalty in place oftthe penalty
of the former law of fine and imprison-
ment. The revolutionary Legislators
knew that the law would not and could
not, be enforced except in one way,
which has been adopted by new or
ganization and roll of the masked Klan
that is, they disguise themselves as
negroes; wreak their Vengeance on
whomsoever they will; and the only
ones that can likely suffer arc those
who are falsely personated. But an
other and more significant step is taken.
This unlawful legislature, is a doubly
unlawful sense, convene what purports
to be constitutional Convention" d"
Its members, to large extent, disqual-
ifed under the Fifteenth Amendment ;
nine-t tents of them, according to Sena-
tor Fowler their apologist fresh from
the rebel army, are elected by those
disqualified under our State Constitu-
ton and laws; and when the body is
organized, it makes its highest rank--a
Major General-chairman. Without
noticing the action of the body in de-
tail (Which is we'll in,accord with the
character of the body | will only refer
to the fact that the Convention in pub
fishing its work does not profess to
have amended the old Constitution,
but to have made new and independ-
ent one; and by its express terms abol-
ishing the old, togetherwith its author
| ity y,ordinances and schedules; and, by
an assumed act of conventional sover-
eighty, displaces the old government,
vacating all civil and judicial officers,
encept the Acting Governor and Legis-
lature. This exception is made for
the sole reason that the excepted Off
GERS are the special creatures Of the
first edition OF the rebellious revolu-
ton which was performed in August
last. Now, it is but natural that the
power should thoroughly wipe away
the constitution and form of govern
ment which is so murderously assaulted
| Ill Ciic IlTSL UOiu OIISC1' ~ uhoSA' IhC
form presented, this new constitution
and new form of government be ratified
and established, so far as the act of the
State is concerned and can make it
the State will, by open revolution. have
seeded and withdrawn from the Union
the old charter having been wholly
vacated and left behind; and, if Con.
gress acquiesces, we will have the "In.
dependent Aristocracy of Tennessee
In conclusion, I note one other i'm.
portant fact. Whilst the Republican
party was in official power, the rebel.
democratic organs Of the State excused
and apologised for masked Ku-Klux.
ism, by saying that it was necessary
defence against lawlessness and ty.
ranny The Ku-Klux were declared to
be high-minded and honorable men,
that dealt out swift and terrible punish
ment to the violators Of law (meaning
what they styled "carpet-baggers,'
scallawags," and "niygers") who
would escape punishment because
their friends we're in control Of official