Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-01-13
MASS MEETING AT GAINESVILLE.

Last Monday being day of indig-
nation meetings, the GAINESVILLE peo-
pie were determined not to be out of
fashion, and, though no concerted ac-
ton had been adopted in the State and
no previous notice given, they got to-
gether at the Courthouse and passed
the subjoined resolutions, which,
though not hundred men were pres
ent, express the sentiments of thous-
ands and hundreds of thousands
throughout the State.
Mr.. Thomson called the meeting to
order and w. P. Keesee, Esq, was
unanimously elected chairman.
The committee on resolutions were
the Hon. r. w. HUMPHREYS, Henry
Merritt, Esq, and d. Kincannon.
Spirited and patriotic speeches were
made by E. w. Thomson, A. G.
Munford and Judge Humphreys.
Resolved, That it is the opinion of
the people here in convention assem-
bled, that since the proclamation of
President johnson, declaring the
country at peace and The Union re-
stored, there has been no insurrection
In any of the States of this Union. and
therefore the continued use of the
army In the Southern States during
Gen. Grants Administration is with
out warrant or legal authority; it is a
subversion Of the civil power by the
military. and is wicked, insolent, and
tyrannical.
Resolved, That in 1874 the occupa-
ton of the State House in Louisiana
by armed soldiers of the United States
in dead of night, and the placing of
armed sentinels at the door to keep
Democrats out and to let Republicans
In, and the more recent occupation of
the State House In South Carolina by
military rufhans in order to keep the
Democrats out and let the Republicans
in and the recent military occupation
of Florida by order of the President
for partisan purposes, and the placing
the city of Chicago under martial law
because it was on fire; and the shoot
ing of "a citizen there for disobedience
of military law, are all acts of force,
usurpation and tyranny, in violation
Of good morals, law, Constitution and
the traditions of our race. and are de-
grading to the Nation, and subversive
of civil liberty.
Resolved, That we call on all the
people of the Unietd States without
regard to past or present political affil-
iation to unite in opposition to gov
eminent of usurpatiou and force, be-
cause this is the FIRST attempt since the
organization of the government to
overthrow civil liberty, and all are
therefore equally interested for them
selves and for posterity in branding the
conspirators with shame and everlast-
ing contempt.
Resolved, That we regard the action
of the President and the army of the
United States at this moment, in up
holding and maintaining fraudulent
government in Louisiana and South
Carolina, fragrant violation of the
Constitution, and a shameless usurpa-
ton of power and it is with the great
est sorrow we have perceived that
Congress has made large appropria-
lions of money for the support of that
army, which is at this instant subvert-
ing in the most contemptuous manner,
the constitutional civil power of the
country.
Resolved, That we hold our friends
of the Republican party capable of an
Intelligent appreciation of the present
danger which lies at our door, and
threatens the social and political fab
ric and equally interested and Jealous
for the preservation of liberty. There
fore We have sympathy for the self
constituted leaders, who offer the gauge
of battle to settle all questions of out
rage and oppression and while enter
tanning the highest opinion of the wis
dom, patriotism and courage of the
Northern Democracy, we hold our ac-
lions and manhood subject on y to the
guidance of our sober judgment, and
having the national heart with US we
here affirm that we will not permit the
overflow of civil liberty and the sub
stitution of military despotism over
| US.
Resolved, That we proclaim the old
Democratic principle, that well reg
ulated militia composed of the intelli-
gent and patriotic yeomen of the coun-
try is the true safeguard of liberty, and
dangerous to tyrants only.
! Resolved, That it is our opinion
that the question that now agitates the
country can be settled by the applica-
ton of the rules which have been ad-
opted in the past and fraudulent
election has never been tolerated by
the American people. We therefore
ask our Representatives in Congress
to see that the questions at issue are
settled according to the principles of
justice and law.
r. w. HUMPHREYS.
II. G.. MERRITT.
ID. KINCANNON.