Year: 1866




but perjury.


These are the constitutional grounds upon
| which 1 oppose this House bill, and ! can
not but feel that they are well taken and
would deter me from its support If there
were none other drawn from its iDexpedi-
ency and impolicy. 0ne of the graYest objec-
tions to this House bill is that from every
| indication there is unmistakable evidence
that large majority Of the Union men Of
the State do not desire it. If il is passed it
will be, in my opinion, contrary to the
wishes and will Of the people of the State
The recent elections indicate this as well as
the general evidence coming TO Us from al
most every county in the State. The peo-
pie on all sides are tired of war and strife
and i'll feeling. What they most desire is
to be let alone and permitted to rebuild and
Feplenish their wasted farms and dilapida-
ted dwellings. Ghey are at work, quietly
and vigorously at work, both Union aud
Southern men mingling and mixing to-
gether in harmony and concord The old
spirit of hostility is fast disappearing, and
would be soon entirely extinguished if all
the newspapers and noisy politicians were
forbidden TO come among them.


The Union men everywhere declare that
they have no fear of being mOlested. They
are mixing socially and quietly together,





marrying together as they did of old, and
would soon be one people, with the same
pursuits and purposes and pleasures that
befall the rural population of every coun-
try, if no invidious distinctions are forced
upon them. l know what I say. / am one
of the people when at home in my native
East Tennessee, amid its blooming valleys
and sequestered groves. There 1 meet
the people in their country gatherings, at
their school houses and churches. Think
you that in these home gatherings that po
Iitical topics are the theme of conversation?
Not a word of it. They know nothing of
the labor and anxiety and excitement we
here are having over this question, and they
care nothing about it. And this is not the
result Of ignorance, bat simply that peace
has blessed them again with her Joyous
and beaming counienance, and they are
made happy in the enjoyment of all her
blessings.


Explain to them the provisions of this
bill, and they will tell you they don't need it
now; that peace is made, and they desire
not to continue the war on their own ac-
count; that this franchise law would only
render them odious in the eyes of their
rebel neighbors. This is certainly the case,
as a general rule, everywhere throughout
the State. There may be, and no doubt is,



no well authenticated account of them as
coming from the people of the country. 1t
may be true, that there is occasionally to
be found political aspirant, who has been
defested on account of incapacity, or other
less reputable cause, who utters loud COM
plants, and would induce you to believe
that there had been q general rebel confed-
eracy against him, and that the national
flag had been grossly insulted by his defeat.
But 90 to the place and inquire of the
Union men, and in nine cases out of ten you
will admit that the people did right.


This is my experience and observation,
but do not take my word for it, go home
and inquire, as have done, not at the little
towns and villages, where the scum and
frOth of the political element is gathered,
but of the farmers and mechanics, and
workmen of the country; these are the real
people which we should endeavor to repre-
sent, AMI not that politicel weather-cock
that is erected at taverns, and town-houses
and villages. They will tell you that this
bill is burdensome, cumbrous and compli-
Gated thing, that, if passed, will render
those who passed it a mark of odium and
envy.


These are my objections to the adoption
of this measure to effect the object contem-
plated. But if any bill of this description
must be enacted, 1 entreat its friends to
permit it to be amended so as to c ear it of
some of its most obnoxious features. The
first, and perhaps the most serious is, that
it gives almost unlimited power to the Ex-
ecutive. The second is, that it establishes
courts and judges in every county, totally
unknown to the constitution, from which
there is no appeal. Thirdly, it proposes to
try and convict men of crime, before a sin
gle Judge, when the constitution declares
he shall be always tried by his peers.
Fourthly, it admits to the ballot-bOx all the
colored soldiers in the United States ser
vice, thus making su invidious distinction
in favor Of that portion Of the negro race.
This is an objection to the bill that would
render it odious and revolving to my con-
stituents, and hence on that account, if for
no other, should oppose it,


The other plan to effect the contemplated
| object, proposes, as have stated, to enlarge
the franchise, so as to permit all the ne
| groes now in the State, and all that may
| hereafter flock in on sccount of this privi-
lege being granted to them.


Ny opposition to this plan is alone on
account of its impolicy. l am convinced if
such a measure was adopted it would do
more harm than good, even to the black
man himself; it would widen the breach be-
tween the races, aud might, and would no
| doubt inaugurate mobs and Sriots, There
| is scarcely a precinct in the State
where the black man would be permitted to
| exercise the privilege, at the present time
| at least. Again, I fear that in adopting
such policy our franchise privilege would
| degenerate and become the subject of un-
| licensed bribery and corruption. 1t is far
more prudent, l think, not to force this
measure upon an unwilling people. Let us
wait and see how the races will get along
| together in their altered relations. Lei
time and peaesfnl pursuits and mutual
| benefits wear out, if it viii, this old and
long settled prejudice.


The third plan is that which ] propose


and in doing so l fesl sure it is the only
measure that can be adopted that will
| most surely effect the object. It's merits
and advantages shall reserve for future
occasion,


In concluding my remarks, let me en-
| treat you, gentlemen, one and all who favor
! these measures l have been opposing, to
stop and examine the ground over which
! you have passed. None of you desire to


violate the Constitution or adopt measures
! hurtful and repulsiVe to the people, and
| yet in adopting either of these measures, in
my judgment, you will do both.


You have been so long accustomed to hate
1 NItGbOu kLdl YOUR uluus anu lCeElQE6 aQQ
! thoughts have been strung up almost to
] phrenzy, and fear have lost sight of that
| higher virtue, forgiveness. It is the nobIest
/ attribute Of an intelligent being, and should
/ be the pride and boast of every generous
/ spirit. The sacred records enjoin its exer
/ else, to the extreme of human depravity.
1t will bear rich fruit wherever planted, and
will enrich its possessor. Turn TO the past
history of our race, and there you viii see
abupaant evidence to justify US in adopting
q generous and forgivmg policy towards our
| erring fellow citizens. Ours is not the only
| civil war that has ever cursed our race. Al
most every nation on the globe has been al
some period of its history wasted by this
| destroying scourge. Nearly all those civil
wars like ours we're originated by designing
leaders, and involved thousands Of inno-
| cent victims. The history Of those civil
connections have come down 70 US, from
/ which we should gather wisdom and take
| warning, From them we may learn that
| whenever clemency and moderation was
| adopted by the victor, that he ever gained


more than he lost; and when the opposite
course was pursued, that the cruel and un-
| forgiving sovereign forfeited not only the
| love and respect of his subjects, but his
name has descended to rs to be execrated
and branded with infamy.


| What reader Of his .ory does not admire
the noble and generous conduct Of Henry
", of France, towards his rebellious sub
! iects, the "Leaguers2" which finally won
| him the love aud attachment Of his enc


mics and restored the whole nation to pesce


and prosperity. And, on the other hand,


who can feel any other than loathing and


disgust for Charles Y, Of Germany, and his


cruel and blood thirsty monster, the Duke