Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-10-31
EX-SENATOR FOWLER.
an Address to the People Of Ten.
uessee "a t-a4 =


litical contest. / will reply in part TO the
address Of she Elector for the State at large
on the Sectional icket.
The Republic of the United States was
so organized as to render the Executive re-
sponsible for the administration. 1t brings
that agent every four years before the peo-
pie, who pass upon his competency, integ-
rity and fidelity. The present is one of
those years of trial, and part of the peo-
pie have challenged the wisdom and integ-
Tity of President Grants course. Re
The friends of the President, and the au-
thor of the address 10 which l shall par
italy reply, rely for their success upon the
c0npdctneSs of party organization and the
sentiment which has maintained the or
ganization. We on the contrary rely en-
tirely upon the principles and reasons that
have induced the independent and reflect
ing men to rebel against the domination of
q dangerous and menGciRg organization.
Theirs is an effort 10 hold the nation to
sentiments born Of antagonistic civiliza-
tions, bitter resentments and bloody con-
flicts. Ours is a protest against the intol-
erdnce nursed by civil war and maintained
by the pride Of victory and love of power;
and spontaneous effort to reform.
In presenting our cause we ask an
impartial hearing from the public
and thas our adversaries' arguments,
and not their denunclations, be con-
sidered. The author of the address in
the true spirit Of all anti-reformers pro-
nounces US "bolting Republicans" disap-
| pointed because we and our s'great chiefs
could not hire or influence the President"
Relying upon the fact that we address a
| public opinion, not to be captured by the
| personal feelings and interests Of our adver-
ssries, we have no fear Of a prejudgment of
! cur case, nor that our opponents viii be
| chosen TO caluminate our motives.
| In this movement we have not acted for
| ourselves alone, but for our country, for hu-
manity now and in the future. If our claims
| for support are well founded, sooner or later
they will obtain support; if they are errors,
we may not hope for success. We have
not slothfully placed ourselves in the cur
rent of public sentiment and foated SUI
| pinely with it. On the contrary, it has
been our aim to resist, 20 turn and direct
that sentiment into noble channels. Wheth-
| or we have acted from selfish motives or
for the public good is for history TO de-
| eide.
The address Of the Grant party has been
long and well considered. It is the argu-
ment Of the most devoted, most cultivated
and philosophic worshipper of the military
hero, now seeking his reelection to the
| Presidency. If there is any strength in his
position, the burthen OF this address had
tie ability and the disposition to present it.
| If there are any defenceless points, It was
not the fault of the author, but the weak
ness Of his causes.
We agree with the address that the cleo
ton OF President is an important event,
and is fraught with good or evil to the Re-
public. 1t is in view of that transcendant
importance that every Conscientious citi-
zen approaches the coming election with
awe. But we must dissent from the con-
cluson that che may be Washington or a
Buchanan. The American people will de-
eide" The election of Grant did not make
him James Buchanan. The re election
could not make him George Washington.
If the people can make any transformation
Of the kind, let it be from Grant to Wash
ington. .......
The author of the address proposes to
give sthe reasons why President Grant
should be reelected. He says: "Washing.
ton, jefferson, Madison, Monroe, jackson
and Lincoln were elected and reelected
and served out except the last) two full
terms of Office. Washington, the model,
at the close of his second term retired from
office, setting an example which all after
him must follow, which no successor may
disregard. Why should the people be
bound up nOto in its judgment to re-elect a
faithful public servant?" | fan to recog-
Mise any reason for the reelection OF. Grant
in the fact that our early and great states
men were Reelected. The author no
doubt intended only what may be Inferred
from the last two sentences, TO condemn
the binding authority of President Wash
ington's illustrious example and salutaIy
admonition to his countrymen. Thus the
way is being proposed for third, fourth,
and finally perpetual reign for Grant.
This is the plain Inference as no reference
has been made in the address to the one
term principle. Again, if the people may
not be bound to one term, neither may
they to two or any other number.
The father of his country did not intend
70 furnish an incentive to adventurous am
buion, but IN admonition against it. His
example must not be construed into q
precedent for two terms, but only that it
vas impTUdent for him TO continue longer
than that period.
The address in the absence of statesman
ship relies on military achievements as the
qualifications for a President in peace.
Whilst we accord all due honor to the
soldier who bravely obeyed his convictions
of duty and periled bis life for his cause
whether Federal or Confederate, we can
see 10 claims that either has for official
trust and confidence in peace from this
source alone. The war has long since
ceased. For seven years not hostile gun
has been fred. Conquerors and conquered
alike have returned to their homes under
an implied pledge to engage in the promo
ton of each others, happiness and the pros
perity of a common republic. To promote
men Of either side to high political place as
a reward or an honor for their serViceslIin
the war is reproach to their fellow coun-
trymen. The soldier is no longer sol der
he is elevated to the ranks Of free citizen.
If bis character and qualifications entitle
him to the confidence of the people for
official place, let him be selected, not for
his military; but for his ciua qualification.
l would hope that no American would feel
indifferent to the merits of Gems. Lee
Jackson, Johnston and many more, al
though their swords were unsheathed
against their country. / honor their ge-
MUS courage, sufferings and fidelity to Their
| COlNICblOuO VI ullfs Icy NOiC
cans, and their services constitute a part Of
the history of the srepublic, and their
gallant but misguided devotion to
their cause has added new stars tC
that glorious galaxy that adOrn oul
race, Nor am l so narrow rs to be
lieve that the brave men and officers Of the
Confederate army, now peaceful citizens
will refuse the same mead of praise to the
devoted followers of the flag of the repub
lie. If there be one among those who fol
lowed for four long, bloody years the Star:
and Bars, who would not bow in grateful
reverence for the memory of Thomas, Nc
Pherson, Sedgwick and how many more o.
that gallant host, let him become an exile
! If on either side there were those WIT
engaged in this great contest against thei
! conscientious convictions of duty, woul(
pity the weak and dread the malicious.
The merits of President Grant as a sol
der are not st issue. forbear to conside
) his claims founded on such qualifications
1t would be most unmanly reprcach T.
our countrymen whose patriotic devotion
to the flag we invoke, to elevate their con
queror over them because he did conque
them. Let us seek to extinguish all me
mory of the lost cause by the gloriou
| blessings that a common rpnuhlic can con