Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-01
aEoV. Andrew JOhnsOn's Glass Meefin~
Taking the Oath,

Gov. Andrew JOhnsOn's Glass nTeeting
Taking the Oath.
Correspondence Of the New York Herald
NASHVILLE, June 19.-Gov. johnson re-
Gently issued notices to the various distin-
gulshed clergymen and others, citizens of
Nashville and vicinity, requesting their pres
ence IN the office of the secretary of state.
Mr.. East, at the capitol. They had talked
andpreached rebellion as ifthe power ofspeech
was an exclusive prerogative of their own,
and, under the garb of religion, and in the
words OF religious instruction and advice, i'm
plored Divine protection over the rebellious
armies, and destruction everlasting to the
arms of the loyal. They were compelled.
however, to obey the summons of their gov
ernor, some mild and complaisant and some
sour and billions. When the proposition was
submitted to them to take the oath of alegi-
ance, the following conversation ensued:
Rev. MIR. Sehon-I speak but for myself.
governor; do not know what the other gen
temen wish. My request is, that may have
a lew days to consider the subject of signing
the paper. wish to gather my family to-
gether, and talk over the subject.
Gov Johnson-How long time will YOU
require.
Rev. Mr.. Sehon-My wife is at some dis
lance, and my family having recently labored
under severe domestic affliction, would. if
you have no objection, governor, have four
teen days allowed me for the purpose of gath
ering my family together
Rev. Mr.. Ford-That is not to be under
stood to be the request of all of us.
Key. MIR. Sehon-Oh, no, governor We
have been conversing on the subject, and
did not know but that it would be desirable to
have mutual consultation before we again
met.
Rev. Mr.. Howell did not SO understand
the brother.
Rev. Mr.. Kendrick-Nor We can come
as well singly as together.
Rev. Mr.. Saurie-I did not so understand
the proposition.
Rev. Mr.. Sehon-It was a bare sugges
ton, and the object might have been misap-
pretended by the brethren.
Gov JOhnson-It seems to me that there
should be but little hesitation among YOU,
gentlemen, about this matter. All that is re-
CURED OF you is to sign the oath OF allegiance.
II you are loyal citizens you can have no
reason TO refuse to do so. Ii you are diSoyal
and working to obStruct the operations of the
government, 1t Is my duty, as the representa-
1--WE OF that government, to see that you are
placed III position so that the least possible
harm canreSult from your proceedings You
certainly cannot reasonably refuse to renew
your allegiance to the government that is now
protecting you and your families and prop
erty.
Rev. Mr.. Elliott-As non-combatant,
governor, considered that under the stipula
tons of the surrender of this city.l should be
no further annoyed. As Il non-combatant. |
do not know that | have committed an act,
since the tederals occupied the city, that
would require time to take the oath required.
Gov. Johnson-I believe, Mr.. Elliott, you
have two brothers in Ohio.
Mr. Elliott-Yes, governor, have two no.
bic brothers there. | have seen them but on
occasional visits for thirty four years. They
have been good friends to me. They did not
agree with me in the course l pursued in re-
gard to secession. But have lived in Ten
neSsee SO many years that | have considered
the state my home, and am willing to follow
her fortunes. Tennessee is a good state
Gov. JohnsOn-I know Tennessee is a good
state; and l believe the best way to improve
her fortunes Is to remove those from her Dor
ders who prove disloyal and traitors to her
interests, as they are traitors to the govern
ment that has fostered and protected them. [
think, Mr.. Elliott, visit to your brothers in
Ohio will prove of service to you.
Rev. Mr.. Elliott do not know whether
have been proven disloyal. | am no politi-
clan, and never attended but one politial meet
ing, and never but once perpetrated political
joke.
Gov. Johnson-Perhaps not, sir. But by
your intiammatory remarks and conversation,
and by your disloyal behavior in weaving the
young under your charge from their allie
glance to the government established by their
fathers, you have won a name that will never
be placed on the roll of patriots A visit to
the north, repeat, may be of benefit to you.
(Sensation.)
Kew Mr.. kendrick CATER reading the OATH
i would like few days time before L sign
this paper, governor.
Gov. Johnson-How long do you require?
Rev. Mr.. Kendrick-Just as you please.
governor. One, two or three days, or a week.
Gov. Johnson-A week from to-day?
Rev. Mr.. Kendrick-Yes, governor, say a
week.
The other clergymen were inquired of in
regard to the time they required to make up
their minds, and it was generally agreed that
they, within week, would be prepared to
either renew their allegiance or make prepa-
rations for their departure. This was the un-
Outstanding with all the clergymen, with the
exception Of Rev. Mr.. Elliott, with whom a
time for private interview was assigned by
Gov. johnson.