Year: 1870

our State requires that we should cor
rect some misstateinents that have
been made. and which seriously re-
fleet upon the honor, discretion and
wisdom of the Legislature, over the
two branches Of which we have the
honor to preside, and upon the peace
able character of the people OI this
State, whom we in part represent.


To the people OF our State, who
know how untrue these statements
are. and who are familiar with the
motives and designs that prompt GER
tain parties thus to slandeF and mis-
represent US and the great body OF the
DeOple. this correction is entirely un-
necessary. But when men pretend
inc to represent the people OF TINS
State. make speeches in Congress, and


read letters from high officials OF the
State, making these false statements,
we fear that failure or omission on
our part to deny them might be con-


stTued into an admission OF the truth


of these reports, however incredible


they may be, and the authors thereof


unworthy the confidence of any intel
ligent people.


Justice to the people Of our State, to


our friends abroad, and to the MEM


bers of the General Assembly of the
State, requires that We should correct


these false and mischievOus reports.


1t is charged by these emissaries OF


disorder that the Legislature is COM
posed almost entirely OF rebels; that
Ihey have repealed the common
school law, solely with the view to
withdraw its benefits from the colOred
children,and children of the pOOrUniOn
men: that they have enacted law to


prevent negroes and poor men from
hunting and fishing on the lands OF
the rich. We might pronounce these
| charges false, and known to be so
when made, and do so declare them;
| but will give them separately a more
distinct notice and refutation. The
| Legislature is composed almost en-
tirely of original Union men, there
/ being twenty or more members OF the
! present General Assembly who were
! Union soldiers during the late war,
and adhered faithfully to the cause of
/ the Union to the end of the contest.
! In truth there is but one member Of
! the present General Assembly who
I bad sGy connection whatever with
| the rebel cause.


The present Legislature has done
everything in its power to remove all
! invidious political distinctions for or
! against any class, race or color, and
! have bv repeated enaCtmentS, en-
| deaVOred to give full force and effect
! 60 all the reconstruction acts OF Con-
| gress, and to cause a strict Observance
4 OF the amendments to the OOnstltu-
/ ton and of the proposed Fifteenth
! Amendment. 1t is true the common
! school law was repealed, bat with no
/ inimical feeling against the education
/ of any class. 1t was done because
/ il was extremely OnerOus upon
| the people TO impose tax
sufficient to sustain a system as
| expensive as this was; and, further,
! afJer the decision of the Supreme
/ Court of the United States declaring
| the State liable in, receipt OF taxes for
all of the issue of the Bank Of TenneS-


see. had the law continued in force,


the receipts for school purposes, for


perhaps the next two years, would


have been received in this worthless
! currency, of which no use could have


been made in the maintenance and
| support OF common sghOOlsi but q
I
the State Treasury for no services
/ whatever, except the bare name OF
! County and State superintendent.


The Legislature has passed no law


whatever upon the subject of hunting


or fishing, as the journals OF both
Houses of the General Assembly viii


show.


1t is charged that the State Consti-


tutiOnal Convention was composed In


the main of prominent ex-rebels-that
their objects were revolutionary, and


their chief aim the turning out OF


Office of a loyal judiciary. 1t is'true


that the Constitutional Convention


was composed in part of prominent


rebels and OF many prominent Union


men, but it is further true that these


prominent ex-rebels were emil
i nenuy conservative, as all OF


their speeches and the Constitu-


ton which they have submitted


will abundantly attest. Their work


was revolutionary only so FAR as ii


was necessary, iD order TO restore
10 the people of the State a Republican


form Of government, that is, 10 give TO
all the right Of suffrage, and TO re-


move q judiciary, many Of whom


held their offices by appointment


from former Executive of the State,


made without warrant of law, and
many of whom were wholly incompe'
tent to fill the high and responsible


positions TO which they had been ap-
: pointed.


, This action Of the Convention, va
! eating all the judicial offices of the
State, was urged by the Union meI
, therein, and by their influence, main
J ly, adopted.


But the work of the Convention
speaks for itself, securing equal right:
2 and liberties to all, and discriminat
Z ing against none, on account of race
) color, previous condition or forme
: sentiments. If ratified, it will effect
1 uaiIv break down all political dis
5 tinctiOns On account of past difference
4 of opinion.
d It is further charged that the peopl
o are banded together to resist the las
= that they encourage mask maraud
e ers. and eonnive at the murder {
n Union men and negroes. They eve
= attempt to cite cases of murder an