Year: 1867

rejected by Congress, which in my Opiniou
/ they viii be, the responsibility viii rest
where it belongs, and will be a powerful in


fuence in the hands of Northern Conserva-


tism, which, after all, is your only hope


and to give 1t strength your first duty.


The cOnfscation act recently introduced


by Mr.. Stevens, would not be noticed, but


that find much unnecessary anxiety pre-


vaIlIng IN relation thereto. There is no


ground for fear that it viii ever become a
law, or that any serious effort will be made


to that end. 1t was introduced in order to


give an impOtent and wicked old man an
opportunity to relieve himself of an accu-


mutation of venom, and with well-founded


hope, which has partly been realized, that it


would alarm many into the support of the


Sherman plan of reconstruction who would


otherwise oppose it.


1t Is proper in this connection to add the
influence Of no member Of the Radical


party is so much overrated as that of Thad-


deus Stevens; and had his policy, instead of


the sugar-cOated policy Of the more con-


servatlve Republicans, gone before the


Northern people, the decision against it


would have been overwhelming. He is


mainly influential in soaring the South into


concessions, ard when made, he mocks at


their calamity and laughs when their fears


come on.


GuIEtlUEQlSelneQG the


cOlOred man as an accomplished fact | will


only quote on that subject the following


sentence from my published letter last year,


when th0re were no indications of his be-
coming a voter: L need not remind South
ern men of their duty to this unfortunate
race, beyond saying that we must, by open
kindness and wholesome advice, win back
their confidence, and thus rescue them from
the misery to which their pretended friends,
for base and selfish purposes, are driving
them We owe them this for innumerable
acts of past fidelity and for their more than
exemplary conduct to US and ours during
the dark period through which we have
passed.


10 this 1 must add The black man is
more clearly identified with and more inter
ested in the welfare and prosperity of the
South than the white man, as its congenial
climate and labor are peculiarly profitable
to him, and the harsh and cold treatment
which he proverbially receives in. the North,
compels him to make the South his perma-
nent home; hence, it is more to his interest
to support that party which favors such leg
islation as will develop the resources of this
section, and this can only be done by the
removal of the cotton and other discrimina-
ting taxes which are unjust, odious and Op-
pressive to Southern white and black men
",
with a vain hope to retain its authors In
power, l have ever considered unnecessary
and unwise, and as seriously preiudicial to
the much-desired and needed re-establish-
ment OF fraternal harmony throughout the
State. Columns might be written of con-
vincing arguments in behalf of this position,
but that Is now needless, as it is a recog-
nized law Of the land, and as such ought to
be obeyed, so as to leave no ground of COM
plant against us. With proper energy, its
fair and liberal construction is all that you
require, and from what ] know and hear of
those appointed to execute it IN this district,
you need have no fears but that it will be so
construed. | desire its repeal from a clear
conviction that all who bear the burthens of
a government like ours should share its
privileges; and though it is thought that It's
repeal would enfranchise more who would
oppose than support me, and though this ex-
preston against it may deprive me of votes
would otherwise secure, these considera-
tlons cannot alter my convictions, and shall
not prevent me from expressing them.


The duty of every one qualified to vote
and inducing others to do likewise, who can
legally do SO, is too apparent to need more
than mention. The present condition of our
State, being the first one restored to the
privilege of representation, makes it the
more Important that yOu look with rigid
scrunitY into the character and conduct of
those who aspire to represent you, as their
course must exert weighty Influence over
the destiny of the States still unrepresented,
and through them over the destiny of the
nation, which cannot live without them, nor
with them IN their present condition.


Important as is this duty in rgard to your
representative in Congress, it is vastly more
so with reference to your Governor and
State Legislature. Our State Government
must be rescued from It's present controllers
at the coming election, or the necessity of
of the sovereign people for that
purpose will be imperative; and though
this ought if possible to be avoided, it is
gratifying to have it recognized IN the recent
decision Of the Supreme Court that " all
power Is inherent In the people who have at
all times the inalienable and indefeasible
right to alter, reform or abolish the govern
went in such manner as they may think
PROPER"


The appropriation of our school fund.
through the cOnnivance of rapacioUs radical
partisans warns US of the bankruptcy that
awaits us, unless the change is promptly and
made The swarms Of Office
holders sent to devour our substance, and
the prostitution of all interests to party and
ends, is causing rapid depre-
citation of our State bonds and a withdrawal
of capital from our commercial, mechanical
and agricultural enterprises that will bring
hunger and want to many otherwise we'll
supplied households


Among the most threatening usurpations
of this Legislature, was the enactment of
the &c Militia Bill" which, in view of the
bankrupt condition Of our treasury, the
prevalence throughout the land of profound
peace, and the desire Of all who have homes
to remain at them in profitable and pleasant
pursuit Of their peaceful vocations, is a
measure of such unparalleled outrage on a
free people as could only have been designed
to produce those scenes Of violence now
falsely said to prevail. These unscrupulous
revoludonists-th authors Of this bill-re-
member that in February, 1861, the Con
seryatives of Tennessee declared by over
10000 majority against secession, but by
the subsequent June through the influence
of threats and intimidations with the arm
ing Of State troops, they we're driven TO sup
port by large majOaity, what they at first
They now hope, by like appli-
ances, to produce similar results; but shall
we learn nothing from the cad history Of
events since that time Shall tho vacant