Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-09-01

ferences OF 1881
have nothing to disguise. The angry
passions that separated Us has since sub.
sided, and good feeling is restored. One
man may have as good reason as another
for pursuing a different course. l come
here to-day calm, to sea if it was not an
honest difference. l differed with you in
the manner of going into this rebellion.
upbraid nobody. My career is nearly run.
want to occupy a true place In the hearts
of those to whom have devoted the best
days of my life.
SECESSION.
The election of sectional candidate was
not sufficient cause for secession. We had
still six majority in the Senate, and eleven
in the House. Lincoln couldn't form his
Cabinet, or even get bis salary without our
consent. The Supreme Court had just
rendered decision in our favor. A con-
stitutiOnal amendment had been adopted
by both Houses which forbade Congress
forever interfering with slavery, while four
pro-slavery territories had been organized
embracing all our loose domain. II South
ern Congressman had stood firm, the North
would have been the aggressors, instead of
us. | condemn no man for differing with
me; but did l not have reasons for my
course? I would have spared many of our
brave-yes, brave young men, now in pre-
mature graves, and others among US mutt
lated for life.
HIS MILITARY GovERNoRsHIP.
We all become very much excited, and
we know what men will do in war, for war
is at best but licensed crime, and many
things are done that We repudlase In peace.
declined to enter the road to loss and
ruin. The result shows all this.
My property went into the sequestration
courts and my negroes were confscated.
Ultimately landed in the Presidential
office, with ample power to fill the
prisons with Rebels. Did l look
for them who stole my property and shot at
meP Thank God, l extended pardon to all.
| liberated 65,0 600 Rebels. saved millions
from coniscation by amnesty.
LEvYING CONTRIBUTIONS.
levied contributions for the starving
widows and orphans of conscripts. levied
on those who had equipped Rebel batteries
and bought uniforms. l don't make de-
fence, bat want to make a Judgement in
your minds. levied contributions. l did
it on the principles of eternal justice and
humanity; AMI would do it again. You
COnfederates present, wouldn't you have
done it? (cries of 'yes'') II any wouldn't,
let him Say motor him have 1 offended.
(Laughter.l Throughout have acted on
motives fdivine forgiveness, but there is no
forgiveness for me. They do not consider
me human. Even had erred, which do
not admit, after pardoning so many, might
receive little amnesty myself. 1t was the
politicians rebellion and the poor mans
fight.
Here followed extracts from Washing
toms message, the history of John Trevor,
the reduction of the public debt, etc.1
CONGRESS.
The discretion, corruption and whims of
Congress are made the sole measure of its
power. Thus unlimited, this is the most
dangerous government in the world. Our
greatest danger is legislation under pretext
of law. Before this hydra-headed tyrant
of Congress would prefer good prince.
Power is slipping from the people. What
is the remedy? Put out one set and put
in another? What is the evil? Too much
legislation.
PARTIES.
There will always be parties in all free
The business of party is
to be the organ of principles. A party
without creed is not to be trusted. A
party of principles is ..worthy of trust.
Parties must have great ohjects,
tone, integrity, character. In the
pursuit of correct principles you can
not reach wrong conclusions. The
Of party should be improve
Of the Government
and of the people. Tenets and principles
form he lasting ties of party. But it is
said we must have conventions and obey
their voice. He who seeks the spoils must
obey the party lash. What is the party 60
ing to do? What is then object? The man
that We take up for President, becA use
WE CAN'T DO ANY BETTER,
[Laughterl is boiler from his party. Men
are afraid to speak They ask, What does
the organ say? Who would be free, him
self must strike the blow. Vote as you
please, for whom you please. A party con-
vention is gotten up-who appointed them?
Where is their authority? We cannot find
out. Before the war we used to tell our
negroes Christmas week to select their own
masters for the coming year. But now
white men cannot hays the poor
privilege of selecting their own masters.
A SUBSTITUTE FOR CONVENTIONS.
Divide the United States into $50 dis
tricts. Let the people vote direct for Pres
dent, Il no enc gets majority, let the
Two highest be sent back to the people.
This would abolish the need for conven-
lion. Do the same with your Legislature.
And let United States Senators be elected
by the people instead of bribed Legisla-
lures. The people would select man OF
some stature and BREATH of intellect, or
he couldn't spread all over the State.
,Laughter). But by conspiracy, some
little man is put up who is Two thin to
spread. (Renewed laughter). have had
Judases in the camp. I got into a little
at Nashville.
''MOsEs."
Some newspapers call me Moses. |
Slavery was already abolished with some
including some portions of |
But practically slavery |
nettled without proclamation before |
he army. Knowing the COnfederacy |
vas gone and to stop these armies
.fter armies coming down on US, for the
axe of peace and to stop the sacrifice Of
human life, l did proclaim great fact al
eady existing, that the negroes were free,
the armies would retire if they |
new slavery was dead. In answer to some
me in the crowd l said would be their |
doses if no one else would. 1t may yet