Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-11
WAVERLY.

Interesting Address by Col KIIlebreW
on Agriculture and EducatfOn-Gen.
Atkins Opens the Congressional
Canvass.
Correspondence Of the Union and American.
WAvERLY, Tenn, June Z, lS72.-TO-
day Col. KillebreW delivered a most excel
lent discourse on the subjects Of agriculture
and public schools, at this place. The pub
lie school question has been an unpopular
one with us, SO much so that last year not
a single vote was polled in favor of taxation
for that purpose In our town, and the ques-
ton was lost by an overwhelming majority
in the county.
There is not doubt but Col Killebrew's
address has converted the majority Of his
hearers upon this question. Many of them,
besides myself, having been strenuous op-
posers of the system, have expressed them
selves enlightened upon the subject by the
force of reason he uses. am now satisfied
we have been in error, and that We
have been prevented from appre-
ciating the glorious benefits of this system
by partisan prejudice and want of correct
information. Had we the light of Col.
Kllebrew to beam upon it, or could the
subject be as thoroughly discussed and elu-
cidated to the people at large, as it was
here, we could enjoy the privilege of seeing
a great conversion Of ideas and destruction
Of prejudices, and behold our State taking
its proper rank among the advancing States.
am ready to- 'confess my sins" sacrifice
my prejudices and vote for school tax.
After Col. KillebreW had concluded, Mr..
Allen OF this place, arose and said, that he
had present a very warm friend who had an
nounced himself for prominent position,
and desired to introduce Gen. j. d. G. At
kins. Gen. Atkins said it was not his desire
to make a speech, but having been called
upon, he would make a few remaks. He
regretted that his opponent, Hon. D. B.
Thomas was not present. He desired to
discuss the great question Of the day with
him, and al hough both Of them were Dem
ocrats there might be some difference in their
views with which the people ought to be IA
miliar. He declared himself for Greeley
and Brown, as a choice Of evils. He thought
Greeley was coming toward the people aud
Grant going from them, and he preferred to
trust Greeley coming, to Grant going.
He spoke Of his career during the war as
a Confederate soldier and Congressman.
The fifteenth Amendment to the COnstitu-
ton was spoken. of and he believed it was
not so comprehensive as its trainers
thought; that any qualification might be
imposed by the constitution of a State other
than that of color and previous condition Of
servitude; that property qualification or
an educational qualification could be al
lowed by legitimate construction Of that
Amendment.
He was perfectly willing that the negro
should exercise the franchise; he would
not deprive him of it, but be was opposed
TO any further advancement Of that class
Of citizens.
He spoke of the operations of the tariff
and of It's oppressiveness to the farmer, and
thought it ought to discriminate in favor OF
| revenue and not be manipulated for the en-
couragement of manufactures. His speech
was well received and gave general salts
| faction.