THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN TENNESSEE REORGANIZED. TO THEI REPUBLI C AN S OF TENN SS EE AND THE UNITED STAVE$. Memorial, Resolutions and Proceed iags had at a Convention held at the' apitol, NASHVILLE, FEBRUARY 16TH9 1870, TOGETHER WITH THE SPEECHES OF HONS. A. J. FLETCHER AND J... SHACKELFORD. The Finance Committee, to whom P OCEEDIiGS was assigned the task of preparing OF THE for publication the proceedings of the Conveition, take pleasure in C N0 N NV E N T I O N. placing before the Republicans of the country the following record of business transacted, which they hope On Wednesday, Feb. 16, a Convenwill do much to give confidence, in- tion of Delegates from all parts of sure active co-operation and place the State, assembled at the Capitol the Republican army of Tennessee to organize and perfect a plan to put in condition to make a bold and sucthe Republicans of this State in concessful resistance to the rapid and dition to make some resistance to unblushing efforts of a rebel Democracy to strike down all that re- the overwhelming tide of modern mains to protect those who loved Rebel Democracy that is subverting and dared help maintain the Union all that is left of Republicanism in when it was in danger. We ask the the Constitution and laws of the Union men of Tennessee to read this paper, circulate it and prepare At twelve o'clock the Hall of the to organize in every county to defeat the nefarious schemes of a House of Representatives was filled horde- of States Rights Demo- with eager expectant Republicans; crats. Let us prepare to protect Hon. A. J. Fletcher calledthemeetthe lives and property of-all our felina to order and nominated Hon. D. low-citizens without regard to con- ing to order a dition, race or color. A. Nunn, as permanent Chairman, "Let us have peace." which was unanimously carried. SecTHE COMMITTEE. retaries were appointed and the Con vention proceeded to business. lutionary, and that we disapprove and On motion the following were ap- condemn its entire proceedings; espepointed a Committee on Resolutions Cily their proposition to strikedown A. J. Fletcher, J. H. Agee A. the present judiciary of the State, and to annex a condition to the right of the Smith and J.M. Tommeny. poorman to vot. While the committee were prepar- Reso ved, That we approve of the ingtheir resolutions, the Hon. H. course of the Republican members of H. Harrison was called upon for re the present Legislature; while we remarks, who responded in a speech gard much of the action of the majority of said body as partsian and oppressive full of patriotic, hopeful sentiments. in the extreme, and we denounce as viThe Committee upon Resolutions olative of the rioht of free speech and reported the following: freedom of the press the proceelings Resolved, That we indoise and ap- now g6ing on against those who signed prove of the platform of principles the call for this meeting. adopted by the Republican National which were unanimously carried. Convention at Chicago in May, 1868, D. W. Peabody, of Davidson,. and that we deem a further declaration moved that a State Central Commitof principles unnecessary at the pres.ent time. tee of sixteen, two from each ConResolved, That we hereby earnestly gressional District, be appointed by invite all persons in the State, well dis- the Chairman, and that he report posed to the National Government, ir- the names at the mass meeting to respective of former party.affiliations, n to unite with us in rescuing the State be hel at the Court Eouse to-night. firom the domination of a corrupt, pro- Carried. scriptive and oppressive Democratic Col. Beaumont moved that a Conparty. mittee of five be appointed to colResolved, That notwithstanding our isolated and oppressed condition, Te lect facts of outrages upon epublihave an abiding confidence that the cans in the State, and that they reGeneral Government will extend to us port to the State Central Committee. that protection which is due to true and Carried. tried allegiance and which we so greatly h The Chairman named the followneed. Resolved,, That we approve of the inggentlemen as that Committee: fourteenth and fifteenth amendments A:. J. Fletcher, T.-A. Kerchival, T. to the Constitution of the United States, R. Tannett, S. B. Beaumont and A. and that the safety of the loyal people A Carter of Tennessee urgently demands the enforcement of said fourteenth amend- The Clair announced that a busiment by appropriate and speedy legis- ness meeting of delegates would be lation by Congress. held at the Stacey House at 3 o'clock Resolved, That we regard-the so-called P- Constitutional Convention, now in session in this city, as irregular and revo- The Convention having completed its business, adjourned to -meet in laws, pro wling about the State, cornthe Court House at 7~ P. M. mitting depredations that would set AT THZ COURT HOUSE. to blush the darkest ages of the A large concourse of Republicans world; crimes the most heinous assembled at the Court House in committed under the cover of night, the evening, and after organization and by day, with impunity. We the members of the State Central have suffered long, and lost many of Committee were announced as fol- our best men both white and colored, lows:. and notwithstanding that, we had STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE. heped that the time had come 1st District-A. H. Pettibone, A. W. when we would not have to Howard, make an appeal to you, for 2d District —M. L. McConnell, John the protection of out lives and propC. Tate.. erty; but to our discomfort and the 3d District-Thos. Waters, R. S. Kindrick. displeasure.;of every good citizen 4th District —W. H. Wisener, W. T. living'in our State, crime is Elliott.. largely on the increase of the nature 5th District-Jno. Trimble, Jno. J. discribed above. We have appealed Carey, Nashville. in vain to the authoriys of our State, 6th District-G. W. Blackburn, Field- andin every instance it has oply inrg Hurst. proved more injurious -to our 7th District-W. W. BMurray, A. E proved more 3Boone. people, so much so that it is with 8th District —J. TL. Poston, W. T. Ken- great difficulty that the colored peonedy, ple can be induced to give informaWho will meet at Nashville Thurs- tionof their true condition. Having day, February 24th, for organization thus exhausted every means known and business. to us legally, to seek redress or The following memorial and reso- check the outrages perpetrated upon lution from the colored men were the colored people, as a last reread and adopted: sort, and the highest known to our TO THE PRESIDENT: country, we now appeal to you, sir, We, the loyal people of this to give us some relief. We find State, in mass meeting assembled, that since the authorities of our to take in consideration the out- State are indifferent to our appeals, rages committed upon us, and to de- either from an intimacy with many vise some means to relieve, as far as of these outlaws, or from fear of possible, the loyal people from their' their powerful organization, to even unfortunate position, by being the make an attempt to feret out the prey of a well organized band of out- guilty, and bring to justice and pun ish those that should be the last to condition here, or by some means escape, sir! we appeal to you, in best suited to your judgment, send the name of justice, in the name of us some relief. The people are bethe hard working men of our State, ing taken from their beds at night in the name of our'vives and child- or from prisons and hanged or shot ren, and in the name of our country down like beasts, and it Would seem and her honor, to send us some re- as though they were taken and put lief. We have in prison for the convenience of these people by our devotion to these lawless bands. this Government, and can it'be pos- Hear this, our first appeal, and we sible that our Government intends, hope it may be the last of its kind, is to give us over again to the tender the prayer of the ill-used and loyal mercies of these people. The war people of our State, and we w-ill in open combat where soldiers de- ever pray for you and our councided the disputes of their country, try. has ceased,they have merely returned Resolved, That this memorial be from the field to the farms and cities, sent to our Representatives in Conin ten thousand forms upon the la- gress with the request that they be bor and loyal people of the State, presented to- the President of the seeking revenge for past defeat; we United States. therfefore, pray that you will, by After which speeches were made by special message to the Congress of the Hon. A. J. Fletcher and Hon. the United States, make known our J. 0. Shackelford. SPEECH OF HON.. J. FLETCHER' At an adjourned meeting, at the no redress. The Kuklux or Pale Court House, at night, the Hon. A. Faces, might hang him as they had J. Fletcher addressed the' assembly. Barmore, or shoot him as they had He said: That his relation to the Senator Case and a thousand others, present meetinog was certainly inter- but the Constitution of Tennesssee esting. In the first place, any speak- guaranteed to him the freedom of er, addressing a Republican audi- speech, and of the press and the ence in Tennessee, at this crisis, right to speak his mind on political speaks, as it were, with a halter questions, and he proposed to do so, around his neck, and with a consci- so long as that Constitution was in ousness, that the muzzle of apistol force, and so long as we had the may be at his brain in a few hours. form of free government. Be the But he, (the speaker) incurred the consequence to myself what they additional hazzard of impeachment, may (said the speaker) whether it censure and arrest by the Legisla- be deposition, impeachment, centure and the so-called Constitutional sure, or the halter, I intend to arConvention, now in session. As raign the present Legislature and Secretary' of State of Tennessee, Convention and the party in power these bodies had him completely in in Tennessee for usurpation, disloytheir power. They might depose alty and oppression. The loss of him, they might impeach him, they an office or even of one life was a might censure him, and they might small matter in comparison with the libel him on their journals, as he great rights now endangered and, it believed they would, and he had may be, lost. What, sirs, have we witnessed in an agreement to see other friends this city in the last few days? Half and invite them to unite in an effort a dozen gentleman meet by accident. to effect these results. Finally they They are Republicans. They talk agree to send out a circular letter, over the condition of things in the calling attention to these facts and State. They know that the words these necessities, and inviting Reand actions of Republicans are daily publicans to meet at the Capital of misrepresented and tortured by the the State to confer together on the press. They seea vast secret or- subject of their common welfare. ganization first known as "K uklux" The circular letter was written and and then "1 Pale Faces," nightly signed by eighteen citizens, printed riding over the country in masks, and shronds, butchering, in cold and sent by mail to prominent Reand shrouds, butchering, in cold blood, at the hour of midnight, the publican in different parts of the unoffending citizens, and such acts unoffending citizens, aned such acts State. It is written, it is true, in either suppressed or grossly mis- plain and direct language, but no represented and directly or indirect- stronger than was usual with the lyjustified. They see a Legislature Whigs and Democrats in similar in session repealing every law on the proceedings in former days. It statute book that may afford any pro- states, in brief, that the crisis is tection tothe loyal citizens, and en- alarming, that violence prevails in acting just such laws as they can or many parts of the State, and that dare enact for their oppression. the acts of the Legislature and ConThey seea Convention, calling itself vention are oppressive. Its design a Constitutional Convention, assem- was to call an ordinary political bled without authority of law, laying meeting for ordinary and practical its hands upon the most sacred purposes, but it is true at an extraorrights guaranteed to the citizen. dinary crisis. No sooner was the They see, in short, that the government of law has ceased and that circular made public than the attention of the Legislature was -called to brute force, arme'd and masked, gov- tion of the Leislature was called to it. Not, it is true, by a member of erns the State. One gentleman, an any experience or weight of characold and honored native of the State, ter, but, as might be expected, by the suggests that a newspaper'ought to busiest, most meddlesome and most be started with the courage to lay of offiious of them all. Yet, sirs, prothese things before the country, and ceedings were comnenced in the Leanother suggests the importance of gislattre against those who proposed organizing the Republicans of this to call the meeting and was voted State intoa party on great national for by the party in po wer almost principles, and they separate with unanimously. A committee with 8 power to send for persons and pa- his applications and excused thempers was raised and it was declared selves upon the false and hypocritical in the debate and in the newspapersgwasnot ontrial, but.that the Sergant-at-arms should bring that he had arraigned the Legislature these parties before the committee and that they were trying that anand that tiey be put upon their oath gust body. It was in vain that this as to their designs. The proposed plain and modest farmer refered to meeting was denounced as a conspi- the Bill of Rights and to the liberty racy and state officials who had of speech and of the press. They signed the call were promised im- were/inexorable and demanded of peachment and deposition. The' com him what right he had to make the mittee met in hot haste, and, with- charges against the Legislature of out a particle of evidence, a proposi- Tennessee. tion was made and seriouslyconsid- But I will say no more now of ered for the expulsion of the twelve these proceedings as I expect to be Republican members who had signed taken before this committee myself. the circular. But it was thought best, Yet, I will say a word as to the perthough this expulsion was then appa- sons who signed the call for this rently a foregone conclusion, togo "'conspiracy." Ofmyself wish to through with some form of trial. say but little. I am known as a lib. It was determined at one time to eral or conservative Republican. I put these eighteen persons UNDER was one of the first to advocate the THE RULE, and send for them one at removal of all disabilities from those atime and examine them secretly. who had taken part in the rebellion. But this Lilliputian Star-chamber But I did not think it necessarily backed down from this and conclud- followed that I had to join the rebel ed only to send the Sergeant- at-arms Democratic party. for them, one at a time. They se- I believed in the great progressive lected for their first victim a member ideas of the national Republican of the House that they thought they party, and thought I had the right to could most easily embarrass and in- act with it. I could not join the timidate. The Sergeant-at arms took Democratic party because I did not him before the committee. He beg- imbibe its principles and because I ged them for counsel. IIe implored could not act with any party that rethem for permission to send for wit- sorted to intimidation and secret nesses to prove himself guiltless of murder by masked mobs as a part of offence. But, sirs, this august and its party machinery-that carried elecmajestic committee were deaf Go all: tions by such horrible appliances. these supplications. They parried I had no mask or shroud —no wed ding garments for the horrid nuptials have dared to call this meeting,- and The next name that appears to who are to be called to account the call is that of the Hon. J. 0. through an arresting officer, for callShackelford who has for years oc- ing in question the acts of the Legcupied a seat on the Supreme Court islature. Bench and who rendered that decis- I propose io enumerate and to resion which restored thirty or forty view a portion of the acts of this thousand rebels to the elective fran- Legislature, and to show that they chise. I remember to have seen him are oppressive to the white and cola year ago, present in person, a nu- ored Unionists of the State, qnd that merously signed petition to the Leg- they will have, and were intended to islature, asking for the repeal of the have this effect. franchise law. Next comes the name I pass over the organization of the of the Hon. John Trimble, of Nash- Legislature and take no exception to yuille, one of your old and most their defeating a gallant Union offihonored citizens, and who has at all cer for Clerk of the House, and their times, and under all circumstances, election of ex-Confederates to nearly advocated universal suffrage and all the offices in their gift. Offices universal amnesty. Then there is amount to nothing unless the officer ex-Senator Elliott, known as a liber- has power to oppress. I pass to the al Republican, and who, in his place laws they have enacted, or propose as Senator, one and two years ago, to enact. advocated the most liberal policy. There is quite a prevalent idea Col. G. W.Blackburn, State Comp- that under that provision of the controller, also a man of moderate and stitution, all laws are to be equal and liberal ideas and of spotless reputa- uniform throuhout the State, no tion for integrity. Nextappears the law can be passed that will not opname of Col. Peabody, Collector of press one class as much as another. Internal Revenue, a gentleman of I confess that at one time I greatly harmless life and liberal ideas. Then relied upon this icea. But I was follows the names of the twelve mistaken. This Legislature have Republican members of the Legisla- taught me that when there is ture-plain, honest men, from the a will there is a way. Those who mountains- conscientious Union will carefully examine the proceed men, whose greatest sin, in the es- ings of the Legislature will be struck timation of a majority of the Demo- with the adroitness and ingenuity -crats, was committed in defeating with which they have cheated the Andrew Johnson for United States constitution in this respect. Senator.. They repealed the common school Such are the "conspirators" whQ law. I know they pretend to plead 10 high taxes and an embarrassed treas- inal sin, and they have visited ury, in justification of this act; but the sins of th6 fathers upon the chilI, who have been here, onthe ground, dred. Yes, gentlemen; if it should happen to know their purposes ever be your fortune to ride through and motives in doing so. The reo- the hills and valleys of East Tennespie had not complained of the school see, and to see the little white headed tax. On the contrary they have paid boys and girls sporting among the it with pleasure. I am aware that flowers of her hillsides, or gambolmembers point to certain defects in ing in the shadows of her great the machinery of the law as pretexts mountains, you may say to them, for its'total repeal. But these de- "butfor the loyalty of your fathers yom fects might have been easily cor- would be at school learning to reead the rected by amendment. I happen to scr'ipteures." The repeal of the school know their real motives for this re- law was a rebel blow, most effectualpeal. ly dealt. It struck a loyal and hated 1. Tlhis comrmon school latw was race, and a loyal and hated section. the only hope of the colored children of the State. Legislators hated When the Legislature net they the freedmen, and therefore went for found a law upon the statute book the repeal of the school tax. They "to preserve the public peace." It argued that the negroes had but lit- was a law of a stringent charactle property, and paid butlittle taxes, ter against masked murderers. and yet would get an equal share of It not only proposed to the benefits. An argument that is punish them, but it disabled them at war with free schools under any from sitting upon juries. To use a circumstances. cant phrase, the Legislature " went 2. It was a property tax, and it so for" this law. They repealed it happened that East Tennessee had, in hot haste! And what was the proportionally, the least amount of consequence? In less than ten days property and the greatest number of gentlemen- chivalrous Southern children. Among the high moun- gentlemen-were riding at night in tains, pure atmosphere, and crystal masks and shrouds, armed as briWaters of East Tennessee we are gands, whipping, shooting and hangmost successful in raising chil- ing the helpless colored man and dren. But the fathers of these chil- the unprotected white loyalist, and dren had committed the sin of loy- dropping notices at the gates of citialty. They had gone into the Fed- zens, from the Grand Cyclops, comeral army, and for that -reason the mar ding them to leave the State. school tax was cut off. With this It was only last Saturday night that Legisiature loyalty is the orig- I _jpssed from Chattanooga to this 11I city against the warning advice of like all the others, has a modest and friends, and heard the thrilling innocent caption. It is entitled "an whistle of the Kuklux at three dif- act to amend the criminal laws of ferent points on the road, and saw this State." It simply provides that them in ghastly costume around the no person shall vote out of the distrain. On reaching what I sup- trict or ward in which he resides, posed to be aplace -of safety, a train and annexes a seNvre penalty to its of thought came into my mind. My violation. The Constitution only early ideas of Southern chivalry! requires that a voter shall be a citiThe great Washington was a South- zen of the county in which he offers ern chivalier! Marion and Horry to vote; but this act requires that and Jasper were representatives of he shall be a citizen of the district. the chivalry of 1776, and so were Such a law was never thought of beJefferson and Madison and the Lees fore, and, of course, there must be and Carrols and Haynes. At a later some matters in pais to explain this day was Jackson and Coffee and enactment. I will tell you. The Carroll, of Tennessee. These were chivalry have always boasted that the representatives of the chivalry they could control the colored vote. of their day. They despised a mean They say to the colored voter before action. Their instincts were all election day that they will stop his noble; and though they may have wages if he votes the Republican thought too much of what is called ticket. The landholder tells him the code of honor, they felt bound he will turn him out of house and to protect the weak and defenceless. home if he does so. If this is not Certainly they despised cowardice sufficient, a notice from the Grand and cruelty. Yet, here we have the Cyclops, is left at his door, at night, chivalry of 1870!! closely masked, to the effect that he will be killed if armed. as brigands, we see them at he votes the Republican ticket. To the midnight hour, hovering around escape those dangers, the colored a railroad train seeking the life of man has been in a habit of' going to some passenger whose only offense the town or some other district, is that he is a Republican, or we where he might cast his vote in hear of them in some lonely cabin peace-unmolested. Sometimes he butcheering the inmates in cold blood found at the county towns a combecause their skin is black and they pany of militia or regular soldiers, dare to live. The latest type of with orders to protect him. This Southern chivalry! Great God! law was passed to compel the colored How hath the mighty fallen! What Voter to gp to the polls under the degeneration and demoralization! eye of his employer or landlord a Next comes another law which, temporary master. The law is un 12 constitutional and has been admit- but they knew him to be a Union ted to be so by the Convention now man and that he would have a conin session, who have provided for it scientious desire to execute the laws. by conferring the poweron the Leg- They, therfore, disarm himn of all islature to pass such laws hereafter. power and unmistakably betray their Then there was the law passed by a, intention to protect their Kuklux or former Legislature to prohibit cornm- Ple Face allies. Itis tle this sin mon carriers, railroads, steamboats gularly hypocritical body have since mon carriers, railroads, steamboats gone through with the form' of pass&c., from making unjust discrimina- gone throgh with the fo of pssof ing some sort of a law against masked marauders; but this is in a horn, race or eolor. Briefly it provided that No person expects any one to be when a colored man paid his money convicted under that law. It does and bought him a first-class ticket not make Kuklux ineligible as juhe should have as good accommo- rors or disqualify them from holding rors or disqualify them from holding dation as a white man. This law was office, As an evidence that the pasrepealed without ceremony, so that / sage of this pretended-law was mere now the eolered manll may be stowed childs play, the fact is so that at the away in the hold of a boat or in a very time the bill was pending they cattle car with his ffrst-class ticket in were passinrg a law incorporating the his pocket. Pale Faces,(which is only a new name I next come to the repeal of A for Kuklux,) and by resolution tenCLASS of laws that had been enacted dered the use of the Representative for the protection of loyal men. Hall to a meeting of the order. And Several laws existed authorizing the they actually held a banquet and ball Governor to arm and equip State in the Capitol, largely attended by Guards and especially to protect vo- this invitation of the Legislature. ters from violence on election days. There has never been, for all the There was also a law giving to sher- outrages that have been committed iffs, in case of necessity, a permanent in this State by men in mask A SINGLE posse of twenty-five men to assist INSTANCE of PUNISIMENT. him in making arrests and executing Again, when this Legislature Asprocess. There was also a law au- sembled they found nearly all the thorizing discharged Union soldiers offices ill the State filled by loyal Reto carry arms for self defence. Ev- publicans. They had no power to ery one ofthes laws have been swept remove them, but like Haman by from the statute book. They had Mordecai, they could have no peace elected the present Governor. His so longas these Republicans were in name was at the head of their ticket, office. 13 It is no plea. for them that many cause "-that if McClain hlad lost a leg of these officers, like myself, cared -if Andrews had his honorable scars; but little for the offices they held. and if the Circuit Judges and ChancelThe, principle is the same. Three lors all had honorable discharges from Supreme Judlges, eig~hteen Circuit the Confedeiate service, that any convention would have been called, or that Judges, twelve Chancellors, and their ofcs would have been vacated? some twenty Attorneys General,, Those who are posted understand exwith about three thousand Justices actly this whole subject. Never, since of the Peace, and three hundred deliberative bodies met, has there been county officers had as good a legal a greater sham than this so-called Constitutional Convention. It is a pretitle to their offices as they had to tense. It met ostensibly to amend the their farms or their horses. But to constitution,but the constitution needed use the same cant phrase I used a no amendment. Everybody was satismoment ago; the Legislature must.fied with it as it was. Still, they had to'"go folr -them." They could not go through with the motion. They met and took up every part of the constitution, one after another. Their commitcounty officers by law. Still they tees pretended to recommend many had to be destroyed, and to effect radical changes,but they never intended this they resorted to the extraordin- to make any material change except to ary and revolutionary exped~ient vacate the offices of the State. They o l a e conventin recommended, they altered, they amendof calling a sovereign convention. ed, but took care in the end, to leave the They had no constitutional power to constitution about as they found it, but call this convention. They admit they never lost sight of the offices-esthey had none. And there was no pecially the judiciary. That is what necessity for such convention. They they came for and that they deterulinec to have. Whatever title may be bescarcely pretend that there was. The stowed by the historian on the National pretext for a convention was the ab- Convention of 1776 or our State Conrogation of the franchiselaw. Every ventions of 1796 and 1834, this convenone knows that the decisions of the tion sitting in the good year of 1870 Supreme Court and the registration must, if truthfully named, be called the Ofce Hunzters' Convenztion. of last summer had rendered the franchise lasw a dead letter. This Is there no oppression in this? The lawyer has closed his office.to accept a was no part of the object of calling seat on the bench, the farmer or mea convention. It was to turn all chanichas been elected to a county ofthe leyal men in the State out of fice, and has changed his business and office, and to fill the offices with the made his arrangements for a term of years in office. This convention turns him out remorselessly, and in some Does any one believe that if Judge cases ruins him, and all for political Hawkins, of the' Supreme Court, had purposes. And what a precedent is here lost an arm in the service of the "lost established! If the liepublicans tri 14 umph next year they may call a con- efit and relief of Union men, and that vention and vacate the offices! [A was enough to insure its repeal by the voice: "Will the Republicans ever carry Legislature. NTow, the Governor has the State?] I am asked from the crowd no authority to present these claims. if this is possible. I answer: not so long And it was with some hesitancy they as the Democratic party can send out allowed these claimants to call for their men in mask to intimidate voters on papers and,get them into their own the eve of elections by threats of death, possession. Then, there was the law and keep them from the polls or con- "to encourage immigration to this pel them to vote as they desire. The State." It appropriated the pittance of Republicans cannot use Kuklux and $1,000 per annum, the object of which Pale Faces in politics. It is contrary was to advertise the resources and adto their principles. And if it were oth- vantages of this State to immigrants. erwise, it is not likely they could com- It was repealed, I presume, upon the mand the services of this latest -type of ground, stated by some, that we wanted Southern chivalry. no d-d Yankees in Tennessee. If the loss of offices were all, it would And why, sirs, was not the public be a trifle —nothing. But far more seri- debt provided for? Thy did the Legisous troubles await us. I have informa- lature deliberately reduce the revenues tion from various sources to the effect and put it out of their power tb pay- the that thousands of suits are already cut interest on the State debt? Had the and dried for Union officers and sol- people complained of hightaxes? Not diers for acts durinog the war in the dis- the loyal people, I am sure. Nor had others complained more than was usual charge of their duty to the government. when taxation was merel nominal. For the obedience to orders in the im- But, sirs, the argument was openly pressment of supplies and the occupa- made that our bonds were held by tion of lands, these gallant men are to Norttern men-that northern men had set our neoroes free to the value of four be impoverished as soon as a congenial billions. and had devastated our counjudiciary can be had for the purpose. _try to the amount of four billions more And this is an ulterior object of this in damages during the war, and that we should make a set-off of the forty millions we owed them. This ideaapThe Legislature also found another pears to be the basis of our financial law on the statute book. It was enti- programme. Many of the propositions tled " An act to secure to loyal citizens on financial matters look unmistakably to repudiation. Ilhave not time here to of Tennessee, recompense from the review these financial measur6s. On a United States'for-losses incurred during different occasioh I mavy do so. But I the rebellion." The greatobject of this will state now that I regard the State law was to take and perpetuate testi-g repudiated so far as this Leoislature has the power to repudiate. molly to establish losses sustained dur- The General Government donated ing the war. The papers were to 300.000 acres of land to establish an Agbe fo^rwTarclded to the General Govern-'ricultural College in this State. After a long debate and the most careful conmernt by the Governor. The Legisla- sideration, this college was located at ture "went for it " and the law was re- Knoxville, a high and healthy location. pealed. Not because it was any longer The act locating it was in the nature ot any considerable expense to the State. a contract. The University was to purchase a farm, provide Professors, and That had been already incurred and enter into bond in the sum of $800,000 and paid. Buat it was a law for the ben- for the faithful preservation of the fund, 15 with all of which they have strictly round immediately and propose a bill complied and had actually received the to re-enact the office, only under a litgreater part of the fund; the contract tie different name. was, in fact, executed. Yet, sirs, when Then there weretthe different boards the present Legislature met they had of County Commissioners throughout no thought of letting the college remain the State Time had ernstrated the at sc lhtbdflilimsKo-the State. Time had demonstrated the at such a hot bed of Unionism as Knoxville. A committee was appointed t necessity of an executive board for the investigate, etc. The facts were so management of county affairs, and expatent they were compelled at first to' perience had proven the wisdom of the report truthfully. But this did not satisfy the political animus of this auoist system. But, sirs, nearly all these combody. They reconsidered and met missioners were Union men, and this again, and I understand are determined was enough for this Legislature to to take the college away from East Ten- know'They wer nessee-that hated section - whose great crime is that 30,000 of her sons hilated went to the field and stood by the flag Then there are other measures which of their country during the war. have been matured and approved and And here a long series of oppressi which I presume will pass. I will allaws occur to me, but they are not of a general character like those I have lude to one or two of these, briefly named; still it is more tyrannical for a They have matured and passed, I beLegislature to direct its blows at indi- lieve, through one branch a bill under viduals than against a class, or rather I the innocent title of shotllc say suchlegila is n the innocent title of "An act to amend should say such legislation is an evidence of a worse spirit. the criminal laws of this State." And Why was the Metropolitan Police what is it? It declares it a crime to law repealed? All admit it to have hunt in the woods of another, to fish in been an excellent system. Most of the principal cities of America have tried tie waters of another or to pass over and approved it. It had restored order the lands of another without permission. and kept down crime in the Capital of At first reading the object' and design the State. Butunfortunately the Com- of the bill does not at once appear, but missioners and officers of the police when its practical operation is looked were Union men. This was enough. to, it will be understood. Heretofore and in haste the law: was repealed. the passing over the lands of another Why was the first Criminal Cricuit has been a technical or constructive Court abolished? Because the Judge tresspass, not practically punishable. was an outspoken- Union man. It was technically only -a civil injury, Why was the seventeenth Circuit and the damages only nominal and reabolished? Because the ludoee of that coverable at heavy cost. This proposed Circuit had been a Federal Colonel and act makes it a hiogh crime, punishable was known to be a bold, outspoken by heavy fine and imprisonment. Now Union man. what is the object of this p'roposed law? Why were the laws creating county The colored man has no land. He has judgships in eight or ten counties re- just emerged from a state of slavery, pealed? Because the County Judges in and has had no time to acquire real esnearly all of these counties were Union tate. The great body of the real estate men. The case of Judge Leonard of of Tennessee, belongs to ex-ConfederMemphis, occurs to me as illustrative ates. The practical operation of this of the aninus of this Legislature. That law will be that the land owner will gentlemlan had held the office of County permit all good Southern men to fish in Judge of Shelby county since 1865. IHis his creek, hunt in his woods or pass integrity was impeachable. His repu- over his lands, but he will proclaim that tation was spotless. Yet, sirs, his office negroes and Lincolnites will be indictwas abolished, simply, as was publicly ed for doing so. At any rate, no good declared at the time, " to get clear of a Southern man will ever be prosecuted d-d Radical." But, sirs, the necessity for this crime, while the colored man of the office was such that they turn will find himself in iail for treading down a blade of grass or catching a nessee. minnow in the nearest creek. For more than a year past the rebel Then there is a bill pending which press of Tennessee have abounded in prohibits a renter from selling less than cries of "school fund thieves," "Radical a bale of cotton without the consent of robbers of the school fund," "robbers of the land. owner on which the cotton the poor children," etc., and it is stated was grown. The object of this bill is that the school fund of Tennessee was palpable. The land owner may, and will, by Radical manipulation converted inrefuse his permission to the poor negro to prey for the loyal brotherhood." to sell his little crop of cotton and will There is not, as I will proceed to show, take it at his own price, or nothing, It one syllable of truth in, nor the slightamounts to a proposition to give the est foundation for, any of these charges. landlord power to confiscate the labor of On thecontrary, every dollar of the the poor colored man. If this bill does school fund of Tennessee was approprinot pass, it will be voted down for fear ated by the rebel leaders of Tennessee of o~ffenlilng the sentiment of the ma- between the 15th of March, 1862 and the jority of the nation. I might stand here 15th of May, 1865. It was carried away till the gray dawn of morning enumner- at the former date by order or permisating and explaining the oppressive sion of the Confederate Legislature of acts of this Legislature, but time for- 1851-2. It consisted of a little over two bids and I must pass on. and a half million dollars and not one I have not commented upon the prop- cent of this vast sum was ever returned osition of the convention to annex to to Tennessee. Not one dollar of the the right of suffrage the condition of school fund of Tennessee ever went into the payment of a poll tax. I have but a the hands or became subject to the conmoment to devote to it. Whatever may trol of aly Republican Legislature or be the merits of this proposition, the of any Republican official. No! when party in power in this State are estop- the dark storm cloud of civil war was ped fromn advocating this doctrine. For lifted from the State, its sacred school four years past they nave contended fund was gone —none like the dew of that suffrage was a personal right-a the mornln' before the rising sun. natural, inalienable right-and that no Every dollar of it had been paid out in power could deprive a citizen of it. support of treason, in aid ofwhat is now They have clamored themselves hoarse so mournfully denominated "the lost in favor ofthis doctrine. Yet, sirs, when cause." The only showing the custoit suits their convenience they quatlfv dians of,the school fund of Tennessee" the right of suffrage! What is the obthe right 0ofs7 f - Ihae! Vht is teob- d when they returned to the State ject of this restriction upon suffrage? h was the exact amouit of the statec They intend, sirs,' by indirection and by fund in the shape of Confederate bonds! the power of xvealth and mnanagement This is precisely what became of "the to render the condition of the negro as school func of Tennessee" and it now miserable as possible-to work lhlin lies among the wreck of time Bank of through the summer and fall and then Tennessee payable "six months after -as seoie planters cdo mules-to, turn the ratification of a treaty of peace him out at winter to starve. Hundreds between the Confederate government are now leaving the State on account of and the United States!" tha~t kicnd of t~r~eatment. There can be A very brief historical sketch of this no question thatthis suffrage qualifica- acred fu," an fro the las of ZnO Qr "sacred fund," drawn from the laws of tion is a blowv aimed at the negro. Congress and of the State, will estabWhen the distinguished gentleman lih all havesaid. who preceded me alluded to the school The s hoot fund of Tennessee is, or rather fund, I heard cheers among those on teas, (for it has ceased to exist since the Bank the back seats. I have thus discovered of Tennessee was invested in Confederate that there are some Pale Faces or Ku- bonds) almost entirely the bounty of the Fedklux present. Thouh I had not intend- eral Government. in the year 1796, when the kllx present. Though I had not intend- United States ce led to the new State of Tened to do so, I propose right here to take nessee a vast amount of public lands within up this subject of the school fund of her borders, it set apart two hundred thouTennessee. I happen to understand sand acres of said land for tile benefit of ti s t, ah yo w common schools, the proceeds of which, by the this subject, and w o at express provisions of an t ofCongress was to has ecoe of the schoolfund of T en- pre ovisions of an peta ofor the s phas becomne of -the school fund of Ten- remain a perpetual f tendin'violebly for the seip