Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-02
FOR SALE.
UNION AND AMERICAN.
THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION.
An Address to the Republicans of
Tennessee.


An Address to the Republicans of
Tennessee.
In view of the enlightened and patriotic
action Of the Liberal Republicans Of Mis-
souri, in calling a convention to meet in Gin
cinnati to determine what course duty to
the great interests Of the country demands,
we advise the Republicans of Tennessee
who maintain similar views to send dele
cation to represent them therein. Being
satisfied that the present Executive will Sc
cure through patronage a denomination in
the convention called to meet in Philadel-
phia, it becomes our duty to set forth the
reasons why all true and faithful Republi-
cans should oppose his reelection and try
to secure the nomination and election of a
statesman of enlarged views, of generous
patriotism and more truly Republican prin-
ciples.
Three years experience has convinced rs
that the present Administration has signally
failed TO restore harmony TO a country dis
tracted by civil war. The tendency Of his
policy to cement more firmly the antagon-
ism created by conflicting institutions, to
strengthen the wall that has so long divided
the sections and to intensity sectional an
tipathies, not only threatens the success Of
Republican principles, but endangers the
stability of the Union.
The permanency of our institutions de-
pend on the voluntary union Of the differ
ent States and sections. This depends up
on the Just and equal participation of each
State in its share of all the hOnOrs, privil-
eyes and immunities guaranteed by the Fed
eral Constitution, or reserved to the States
and the people Of the States. 1t is notori-
Gus that the people and the States of nearly
one-half of the Union have been denied
their just share in the patronage of the Ad-
ministratiOn.
Not only has an unwise and unjust dis
elimination been made against the section
lately in instruction, but arbitrary laws
have been enacted and enforced, and look
ing to the government of the people in these
States by the General Government.
The coming political campaign win be
maintained by the Administration in direct
hostility to the rights and interests of the
South, by appeals made to the prejudices of
the North. The leader and adviser Of the
Administration openly declares his purpose
to infame the prejudices Of one section
against the other, to secure the control OF
the Government. Thus all the wounds Of
the late rebellion are to be opened sfresh, 1
and set bleeding, with view to su6jugate
and calumniate the characters of the living
and Obedient citizens.
We seek not dominion over our fellow
citizens, but to restore to each the conscious
ness of his nationality and the pride of lib
erty and equality in great and generous
Republic that protects alike only freemen
yielding a voluntary and spontaneous ODE
dienoe to laws enacted by themselves.
The administration and its advisers have
refused general amnesty to all American
citizens, thus perpetuating an Odious, irritat-
ing and infamous badge of degradation long
beyond the period demanded by wisdom
and an enlarged Christian charity, if not
unwisely prescribed at first.
The administration has been character
lied by unwarranted aggressions upon the
time honored rights and the most valued
safeguards of civil liberty. The bayonet
has been used to overawe the citizen at the
ballot box. The writ Of habeas corpus has
been suspended without adequate cause and
the citizens of whole counties been sub
iected to the reign of the law of the bayo-
|, net. The principle of local self-government
has been invaded and has almost ceased to
act as check upon centralized power.
The patronage of the Government is a
trust, conided by the people to the Presi-
dent as their agent, to be used for their good
and the prosperity of the nation. 1t has
become un6Srthe prNSs 1T Executive his own
special property to be used to forward his
own ambitious purposes, to punish free
thought and free speech and to purchase or
compel a serVile compliance with his in
tereSts and desires.
Under the misconceptiOn of the objects Of
this trust and the utter disregard Of the
high dignity of the Office of Chief Magistrate
Of a nation, the highest stations have been
used to reward his almOners and pension his
relatives, in almost every instance either
unworthy or unqualified to execute faith
fu " and efficiently the duties Of the office.
lie has used his position and power to
control the local elections OF the States,
prescribing the candidates for whom the
people should cast their suffrage, and pun
ishing honest and competent officials for re-
fusing to surrender their right OF choice to
Executive dictation.
The swarms of officers, unknown to the
people, that have been sent forth as spies,
iuformers and political agents, into certain
States, as well as the governments cOunte
nanced and sustained by the administra-
ton, are a reproach TO American justice
and honor.
The Executive has invaded the sanctity
Of the Senate and demanded, and through,
the instruments of his will secured, the
punishment and degradation of the most
enlightened, self-denying and faithful Re
publican Senators, for having dared accord
ing to the dictates of their COnscienCes to
differ with him on great question Of ma
tional policy, or still greater question OF
personal duty.
The limited education Of the Executive
has been confined mainly TO learning the
duty of obedience and subordinatiOn TO
rank, and a long period Of command has
confirmed the habit of enforcing the die
tates of an obstinate will. 1t is not singu-
lar that we are called upon to witness the
government reduced to the character Of
military camp, and the principle Of subor-
sinatiOn substituted for voluntary discharge
of duty. If an immediate check is not ap-
piled, the character of our people will be-
come entirely changed. Their self-govern-
Ing and self-reSistng power will give way
before the genius of central domination.
The unprecedented number of detalca-
tions, the extent Of corruption everywhere
pervading the administration OF our public
Affairs, proves the immediate Importance of
an effective remedy to preserve the people,
already burdened with debt and oppressed
nv An unnecessary and extravagant expen-
diture for the several departments of the
government. There are other and
crave objections to the present ex-
ecutiye and his advisers, which Of
themselves, should demand change in the
administration, such as the tampering with
the Supreme court, the means used to force
the San Domingo treaty upon the country,
without any reference of so grave matter
10 the decision of the people, but our limits
will not admit of their consideration. The
De,noncratic party is poWerless to effect any