Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-12
can readily give satisfaction If IL


. in the manner of election, by defeating
their actual choice, or when the laws or
the administration of the laws become
} oppressive, that complaint is made. In
deed no people are disposed to find fault
with government in harmony with their
interests and rights. So universal is the
verdict of history that nations tolerate
their present institutions, even pernicious,
rather than rush to the terrible remedy of
rebellion, that we may under no ordinary
circumstances look for resistance to
authority. A young and vigorous people
will prosper under almost any institutions,
but much more rapidly when the proper
stimulus is afforded by the assurance of
protection and respect for rights regarded
as essential to their happiness.
What kind of q spectacle is presented
A Government protesting the political
equality of all men DISTINGUISHING large
class of her best citizens for acting with
their section In what may be called
wicked rebellion, if you please certainly
an unnecessary and fatal one. The great
body of the enfranchised people must and
will resent a reproach directed toward
themselves. You may charge them with
rebellion, treason, and as many crimes as
the catalogue of Charlemagne's Code for
the Saxons contained. The people who
went with these men into rebellion will
spurn any imputation upon their honor
and patriotism, and treat with indignant
contempt the Government that seeks to
asperse their good name. They dare not
and will not admit it of a single one,
though the humblest man that bore his
share in the struggle. To do so would be
an imputation upon themselves, and ar
que want of sensibility on their part
that would be more dangerous to morality
and freedom than the rebellion itself.
You may destroy life and property. These
will reappear again. The population will
not be materially retarded. A few years
will I'LL up the vacant places. The houses
will be rebuilt. The fields will return
abundant harvests under new culture.
Commerce will soon fill its wonted chan
nels. So long as the soul of the nation
is preserved, neither hope nor faith is de-
stroyed.
These people may admit their error by
accepting the situation and resuming their
allegiance. To repent of crimes is not In
their power, for il is impossible for a
whole people willfuuy, deliberately, and
knowingly to enter into the commission of
crime. 1t is q crime in politics to de-
mand repentance as q condition-precedent
to the resumption of the duties and re-
sponsibilities of citizenship. For it is
not of human government to look beyond
conduct and to demand that the heart
shall be in harmony with the laws of the
State. If any man violates law let him
suffer the penalty Of his wrong according
to the methods prescribed by law for his
offense. The sanctions of laws must be
righteously applied according to the letter
and spirit of the existing laws if they are
of any virtue. A legislative enactment
c0ndemning a whole class of persons by
one portion of the country, and that the
victorious party, cannot, in the nature of
things, be either just or approved by the
considerable and rejecting of any cOmmu-
nifty, much less by those on whom the
condemnation falls. They will complain
Is it not their rightl They will resist
Who would mott They will become in
different to the forces in power and refuse
that respect which is so salutary to the
successful retention and administration of
authority These are the restraints that
the governed oppose to tyranny, and are
the sole safeguards of civil liberty. 1t is
the most dangerous symptom of the
State when the people cease 10 be impa-
tent of restraint and jealous of their
liberties.
So far from being a good cause for re-
fusing to enfrsnChise those laboTing under
the discomfort and opposition
shown by them is The best possible reason
for the removal of the causes of irritation.
If the men who are under disabilities
threatened the safety of the State or the
peace of society when relieved, there
might be some ground for not acting,
provided the continuance of the disabili-
ties was remedy. But in the present
case it is admitted that they are among
the most peaceful, aw-abiding, intelligent
and virtuous in their respective States.
The existence of these disabilities now
constitutes a common bond of union
among all who were implicated in the re-
bellion. 1t also embraces all their rela-
tons and all who in any manner sympa-
thized in the fatal movement. It goes
still further, and embraces many who
became victims of a war they constantly
opposed.
In removing the disabilities so aggrsvs-
ting and useless the Government breaks
this bond of sympathy which unites the
mass of intellect, courage, and property
of one great section of the nation against
its present Administration. The people
will then assume an attitude that will en-
able them to consider the questions that
form the policy on which The Government
nay be administered. So long as these
burdens remain they will look only at the
measures that consign them to humilia-
ing inferioriiy. You may try to divert
heir minds into other channels of thought
by directing their attention to material in
.erests and great public enterprises. A
few of the corruptible may give heed to
The siren song of gain, and smother their
present disaffection in their bright hopes
Of future wealth. Those of loftier pur-
pose and keenar sensibilities will not be
comforted thus. They will feel The sting
Of a wound torn open every hour that
hey breathe.
This Government is not to be admins
erred on principles applicable to the
house or upon the technicalities
If niSi prius court. You cannot keep
! ledger of the conduct of the citizen.
10 will not admit txoI.-.