Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-01
NASHVILLE.

creates profound SORROW here.
NASHVILLE.
The first dispatch received early yester-
day morning, from Greeneville, 10 the effect
that Senator johnson died at 2:3O A. NJ.
was quickly followed by telegraphic ru-
NOR that Ehe was alive at 4 o'clock A. NJ,
The contradiction gave rise to a feeling
of anxious doubt, which prevailed for
sometime, but was finally dispelled
by reports confirming the first dis
patch. Some of our city readers had
scarcely read in the morning paper the
news Of Mr.. Johnson's illness, before the
flying rumor Of his death reached their ears.
The news produced a sensation equalIing
in intensity that which followed his last
election to the United States Senate, but of
a wholly different er. The bolster
business, joy and chagrin of that memo
rable election day were wanting; the
melancholy tidings simply passed from lip
to lip with incredible swiftness till the
thousands inhabiting the city, and commu-
nicating with it, were thrilled with their
deep import, and the life and character of
the great Commoner became the subject of
meditation and discussion.
The bells of the city churches were
tolled and the flag was put at half-mast on
the Capitol. No other public demonstra-
ton was made for the time being. The
friends of the deceased at once took into
consideration the question of holding a
public meeting and handbllls signed by
the Mayor soon made their appearance re-
questing popular gathering at the court
house at S P. NJ, TO make necessary ar
rangements to do honor to his memory.
POLITICAL CONSEQUENCE.
If a mighty man had fallen, a mighty
vacancy had occurred. Street conversa-
tion naturally turned upon the political
consequences Of Mr.. Johnson's demise.
SpeculatiOns were very generally INDUCED
in as to who would be his successor in the
Senate, and the question whether
the vacancy would be filed by the Gov
ernor or by the Legislature in special or
regular session, was thoroughly canvassed.
Nothing ever happened to more deeply ab-
sorb public attention hereabouts and lead
to a greater variety of discussion and ex-
preston of opinion.
The Governor and other State officers
leave for East Tennessee this evening by
the 7:30 train, and will attend the funeral.
1t is understood that Col. John c. Burch,
and Messrs. Il. Burns, George Kinney, A.
S. Colyar, John White, W. G. Brien and
other friends of the deceased will 90 by
the same train.
THE CITIZENS MEETING.
In response to the call of the Mayor for
a meeting of citizens, to take some pre-
liminary steps relative to the death Of
Senator johnson, fully one thousand people
assembled in the County Court room last
night.
The meeting was called TO order by
Mayor Howell who spoke as follows:
THE MAYORS REMARKS.
"Gentlemen-When the announcement
was made to-day of the death of our great
Senator, complying with the wishes of nu-
merous gentlemen Of his city without re-
ference to political opinion, 1 took the
liberty by handbills to call this meeting to-
night, for the purpose, and only the purpose
that was stated in those hand
bills that arrangements might be
made here tonight for such further demon
strations as should be worthy Of the mem
Ory Of tbe Honorable Andrew johnson. It
was not intended that any eulogy should
be attempted or anything more than mere
preliminary arrangements be made. 1t
would be impossible, even if it should be at
tempted, to do anything worthy here to-
night of great man; it would be impOlitic
to attempt it. Isuggest the appointment of
a permanent chairman TO preside over this.
meeting and all subsequent meetings that
may be held, and will take the liberty to
appoint the reporters Ofthe press temporary
secretaries"
George E. Stubblefeld was nominated
for permanent chairman and elected unan-
imOusly. Before taking his seat, Mr.. Stub
ble6eld spoke as follows:
REMARKS OF THE CHAIR.
"FellOw-citizens: We have assembled on
this sad and melancholy occasion for the
purpose, not Of prOnOuncing any fulsOme
eulOgy upon the deceased, but of consult
ing together and to take some steps in the
direction Of showing the proper respect and
the proper hOnOrs 30 the Honorable Andrew
Johnson, who is now dead; and we deem it
most prudent, upon this occasion, as the
deeds, acts, and character of the deceased
belongs to the history and are the property
OF the nation, that we should defer any ac-
tlon on this occasion except to take some
preliminary steps, such as appoint
ing the proper committees, Sc
lectlng proper persons, those per-
sons to indicate the time for a general
meeting, to which all may be invited.
Therefore, gentlemen, do not propose to
make any speech in relation to the deceas-
ed. He was well known TO the whole na-
ton, his deeds are those that belong to the
nation. de was man that il takes a ma
tion and generations to produce. He was
such man that suppose none could have
boasted of being his superior or even his
equal for the time be has lived. So, gen
tIemen, with these few remarks l suggest
that the citizens, if they have any mo ions
to make so as to further the purpose for
which we have assembled tonight, DO so
that in the future proper honors may be
shown to bis memory"
Ex-senator Fowler then read the fol-
lowing
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS,
which were adopted unanimously:
Whereas, the people of Nashville, as
those Of the whole State and the Union,