Year: 1865




"section 2, Congress shall have power to eniorC


this article by appropriate legislation,


"Approyod February !, 1868"


The slavery question here comes up in II iorI


hitherto not discussed in our politics II Is not


question us 10 the right Of Congress TO exlude slave


ry from the Territories 10 legislate upon the matte


themselves nor does il involve the discussion of an


doubtful powers, but is the simple proposition {


amend the Constitution Of the United States in th


manner prescribed by that sacred instrument so Il


to strike down the monster institution which ha


embroed the Government for half century, an,


eliminated in the most wicked uncallod for ant


bloody war known to the history of the ciyilizet


world


LET m BE RATIFIED.


Slavery, secured TO the people of the South NOR
permanently by the Constitution Of thes United
States and by the laws enacted in pursuance there
| OF, than auy species of property claimed by thom-
not even excepting their lands-will now perish by
| the war which II brought about 60 enlarge Its powo,
and perpetuate its existence Let us do our part il
this great work by ratfyng the action of Congress
and carrying out the wishes Of our people. After
the ratification by the people of our State Of oul
| Amended Constitution, embracing the same propo.
sition, and after your election TO the General As
sembly on this platform, and by the same people /
have not considered an elaborate argument in favor
Of the proposition submitted by Congress Mt all neces
sary. | may be allowed TO say, however, that to
prohibit slavery in State requires a change in the
State Constitution Pregnant us we find slavery to
be of all sorts of political mischief is not 10 be got
rid of under the Constitution, in any other than
constitutional manner. And, while the sooner this
can be done the better it does not appear in what
part of the Constitution of the United States the
power of regulating ii at ALL in times of peace is to
be found. Fortunately for the future happiness of
the country the Constitution has provided way
,,, ah tha d.
without any questionable exercise of power and
that is by amending the Constitution just Congress
has proposed.


Slavery was 80 far made the subject of constitu-
tional cogni2ance by the people Of the United
States when they adopted the Articles of Confede-
ration that it found place in the compromises of
that instrument, both in fixing the ration of repre-
sentaton and the apportionment of direct taxes
and also in requiring the people Of free State to
surrender so much of this sovegnty as not to have
the right TO protect the slave that sought refuge
from bondage-it would seem too late in the day to
question the right of the people TO adopt amend
ments to that instrument in regard to this or other
subjects embraced in its provisions. 1t becomes us,
therefore, to approach this subject with an enght-
ened craftsmanship, and with II degree of moral
courage that is not afraid to do right appealing to
the ultimate judgment of mankind to vindcatc our
action.


1t is in this way, and in no other, that Il uniform
rule can be provided, and an end put thereby in all
time to come TO possibility of revivlng that which
has been the fatal cause of all the mischief in the
country. To insist upon excluding slavery from
State by amending her Constitution, beoH recog-
nizng her again rs within the pale Of the Union
would look awkward, and fall below the dignity of
political sagacity. Our State has shown her hand
and placed herself square upon the record; and |
fatter myself that her representatives here assem-
eaa pgs ready fr measure which shall forever ex


PROTECTION TO FREEDMEN.


Some legislation is necessary for the protection
government and control of the emancipated slaves
among us. When this war is over II portion of
those who fought to perpetuate slavery will show
the emancipated slaves no quarter, and especially
that class Of slaves who have been rude and violent
toward their former owners. What the character
of this legislation should be, leave the good sense
prudence and reflection of the members of the Cen
eral Assembly to determine.


1t is certainly proper and right for the Legislature
of the State of Tennessee to determine to what ex.
tent this State shall be overrun with tho emancipa
ted slaves of other States. If their presence in any
State is blessing, they should be distributed if an
evil it is but Just that should be taxed only with
our own share of them. ] am myself, the advocate
of providing for them separate and appropriate
amount of territory, and settling them down perma-
nently as nation of freedmen. In thise case in
most Others it will probably be well to guard against
exceptive legislation. The negro has had no ngency
himself in bringing on our troubles, and does not
merit unkind treatment Mt our hands.


WAR ON GUERRmLAs.


The attention of the Legislature is earnestly call
ed to the subject of the rowing bands of guerrllas
and squads of robbers and murderers who frequent
those counties and portions of counties remote from
our military forces. The depredatcns and murders
committed by them are of such frequent occurrence
as to have created general feeling of insecurity
among our citizens, causing hundreds to sacrifice
their property and abandon their homes and the
graves of their parents and loved ones, seeking
homes among strangers in the Northwestern States


INCREASED SEVERITY OF THE LAW


The criminal laws of Tennessee prior to the re-
bellion were equal to the demands of justice and
the wants of society, but they are now inadequate
in both these casrs. The corruptions of the rebel
lion have exhibited themselves in every quarter, and
the effects of the same have been TO demoralize all
classes of society more or less, calling for more
stringent enaetments, so as to meet the numerous
cases arising in country. l advise that horse
stealing, house-breaking and highway robberes be
punished with DEATH Let the proof in all such
cases be clear and unquestionable and then let the
offenders be hung, even for the first oflcnse This
character of law will close out all those acts of
perfdy which render life and property insecure
more or less in all counties OF the State; and when
the necessary reform is had future Legislature can
repeal or amind the statute. Such law may look
to others like a bloody act but it can never affect
iniuriousy an honest man or a aw-abiding citizen.
And YOU, gentlemen, should feel no concern for the
opposite class of men but TO punish and reform
them.


MILITIA LAWS.


The attention of the Legislature is especially di-
rected to the militia laws Of the State The occur
rences of the past four years have disclosed the fact
that our militia laws, they are are very i'm
perfect and need further amendments to make them
effective. The State arms carried into the
bellion through the influence of the bad men in au-
thority four years ago, and throughout the length
and breadth of the State she has not arms enough
to arm captains company. This deficiency
should be provided for at once. / have no doubt
but that the Federal Government upon a fair pre-
sentaton of the case, would come to our relief with
liberal hand.


If, in the wisdom Of the Legislature, an efficient
military force, over and above what is provided for
in general terms should be placed at the disposal of
the Executive suggest an appropriation for mill
tary contingent expenses. At any rate the Legis-