Year: 1864

great whole, working at present some
what inharmoniously, but as soon as the
Government puts down the rebellion,
and the machinery be again put in run
ming order, leaving out whatever may
have before prevented its running smooth
ly, the State will stand firm. Some of her
institutions may be rubbed out, but the
State stands. She is, and will continue
to be, a State whether with or without
Slavery, and the Government will go on.
| admit no such thing as reconstruction;
the idea is as bad as secession. Your
Legislature ran away; does that destroy
the State7 The Governor ran away;
does that destroy the State2 They took
with them the bank funds and the school
fund; but the State is here yet The
ordinary civil functions of the State have
been for a time necessarily suspended,
but the United States is bound to secure
to US a representative form of Govern
ment. Does that look like secession
like Reconstruction. The President pos
sesses the necessary power, and must ex-
ereise it. Officers may be appointed to
administer the law, any thing may be
done, to secure a representative form of
Government The rebellion being put
down, the Legislature might be coneened
tomorrow To admit that State can
be out of the Union, is virtually admit
ting the principleof secession. Nor can
State be put back to a territorial con-
dition It is contrary to the genius of
our Government The State cannot de-
stroy herself, nor can the United States
Government destroy a State. When
you destroy State you destroy the
Union of the States. Hold fastto your
liberties under the constitutions De
stroy the rebellion, and let slavery 60
with it Cheers Were it possible to
destroy State, would almost be will
ing to see South Carolina destroyed;
but ! will not depart from my theory,
from the truth, and will not have even
her destroyed The Union and the. Con-
stitution must be preserved intact "a


l have owned slaves-slaves that |
bought with my own money--money
earned by myself, a quarter of dollar
at time. They were con6scated and
sold; yet two of them ran away from the
Rebel dominions and came here to me.
| hired them-made a bargain with them
for their labor, and thus recognized their
freedom. And l find they do better than
when they were slaves Now if any Of
you are slave owners, | advise you TO go
and do likewise, while you have tie
chance. Hire your negroes to work for
you, and you will fHd they will do better
labor for you than when they were slaves.
By this means you will do your part in
this great transition to teach them self.
reliance. The edict has gone forth, and
all that remains to be done is 10 change
the relation of master and slave. The
day is not far distant when this nation
will be the great centre of civilization,
of the arts and sciences, and of true re-
ligIon. Time was when the tide OF EN-:
igration ran westward; the time will
soon be when it will run southwark. Let
US go on with our mighty work. To talk
about breaking up Goyernment like
this for slavery 'Tis madness. Lee it
go Oh with its great mission. thrust the
time will soon come when the sword will
be sheathed and peace reign Throughout
the land-when the dove will appear, and !
prosperity bless the people. Here the
Governor alluded to the scenes of his
early years in East Tennessee, (where
he took the partner of his bosom, the
mother of his children in words so full
Of pathos and sublime feeling, that we
will make no attempt at reporting them.
He alluded to the beauty of the country,
the salubrious climate, the fertile sci
the magnificent mountains, the pellucid
streams, the patriotism of the people,
their long and severe sufferings, and said
he hoped to see the stars and stripes
floating upon the highest mountain peak,
indicating the country from which lib
erty took its last fight-they were the
last to yield. They dared,be freemenl


said the Governor; "they were born free
and will die freemen. ." Officers and
men, thrice welcome. You have come
to aid us in establishing and perpetual
ing free government Go forward, !
say, until the old flag is planted in every
State, at every crossroad, and in every
court house in the country, (cheers,)
though the stars and stripes may be
bathed in nations blood The Gov
ernor here thanked the ladies for their
attendance, and complimented them on
the good they had accomplished in be-
half of the Union. He alluded to the
influence brought to bear in behalf of the
rebellion by the ladies of Tennessee, and
drawing sad picture of the mangled
bodies Of sons, husbands and brothers,
asked who caused this desolation. this


woe, and exclaimed: "Oh sister! oh!


mother! what have you donel" He


next alluded to the patriotism of the


Greek mother, and called upon the la


dies present to persevere. Women


control governments" he said; ''they


are the power behind the throne" Again


thanking them, the Governor retired


amid loud cheers. r.