, 1862-03-24

established institutions Of these States, but
to defend and maintain the supremacy Of the
Constitution and to preserve the Union With
al the dignity, equality and rights Of the sev-
'era1 States uninlPaired; aud that rs these OBJ
iects are accomplished, the war ought to
ton, has the President conducted this
mighty contest, until, as the Commandes-ia-
Chie1 Of the Army, he has caused the ma
uona1 fag to float undisputcd over the capi-
tol of our State. Meanwhile the etate Gov
s1nme1t has d,saPpsairs'd.t R <Ihs M Executive
the Judiciary js in abeJ The great ship
Of State, fleighted with It's precious cargo Of
human interests and human hopes, it's sails all
set, and its g1orions flag unfufled, has been
suddenly abar doned by her officers and mutt
nous crew, and LEFT TO: float at the mercy Of
upon the deep Indeed Tire work OF plumber
has already commenced. The archives hare
been desecrated; the public property stolen
and destroyed; the Eau1ts Of TIN State Bank
violated, and its treasures robbed, inc1uding-
thefnnds carefully gathered and conseerated
for all time TO the instruction OF our children.
1n such la01entable criBis, the Government
Of the United States could NOT be unmindfnl Of
its high constitutional obligation to guarantee
to every State IN this Union republican form
Of government, an obligation which every
State has direct and immediate interest IL
znd from which, by mo action on the part Of
hepeopse in aay State, can the Federal Govern
ment be ahsolred.. 4 republican form Of gov
eminent, in consonance with the Constitution
Of the United States. is one offhe fundamental
conditions Of onr political existence, BY which
every part of the country is alike bound, and
from which no part can escape. This oblfga-
ton the National Government is nov attempt
ing to discharge. ! have been appointed, in
absence Of the regular and establfshed State
authorities, as Military Governor for the time
being, to preserve the pnplic property Of the
enforced to her citizens, and, as speedily as
may be, to restore her Government to the
same condition as before the existing rebellion.
In this grateful but arduous undertaking, I
shall avail myself Of all the aid that may be
afforded By my fellow citizens. And for this
the people ofTennessee desirous or willing
to see a restoration Of her ancient government,
without distinction Of party affiliations, or
past political opinions, or action, to unite
With me, BY counsel and cooperative agency,
to accomplish this great end. I find most, il
vacated, either BY actual abandonment,
or by the action Of the incumbents
in attempting to subordinate their
functions to power in hostility to the
fundamental law Of the State, and subyersiye
Of her National allegiance These offices must
NE A14Eu lEu HuAi1 GlE olaAC sAAu uE
restored so far to its accustomed quiet that
the people can peaceab1y assemble at the bal
lot boz and select agents Of their own choice,
Otherwise anarchy would prevail, and no
mans life or property would be safe from the
desperate and unprincip1ed.
shall, therefore, as early as practicable,
designate for various positions under the State
and county governments from my fellow c1tl:
Zens, persons Of probity and intelligence, and
bearing true allegiance to the Constitution
and Government Of the United States, who
will execute the functions Of their respective
Offices, until their places can be filed By the
action Of the people Their authority, when
their appointments shalt have been made, will
| be accordingly be respected and observed.
To the people themselves, the protection o1
| the Government is extended. All their rights
| will be duly respected, and their Wrongs re
! dressed when made known Those who
| through the dark and weary night Of the re-
be1|ion hare maintained their allegiance to tbs
| Federal Government, will be honored. III:
| erring and misguided will be welcomed OF
| their return.
And while it may become necessary, in vim
| dicating the yiolated majesty Of the law, ant
| in re-asserting its imperial sway, to punist
| places, no merely retaliatory or Tindictirt
| policy will be adopted. To those, espe
chilly, who in q private, unofficial capa
| city have assumed an attitude Of hostilt,
to the Government, full and complete am
| 1csty for all past acts and declarations is Of
fered. upon the one condition Of their agai1
| yielding themselves peaceful citizens to tn
just supremacy Of the laws. This I adyis
them to do for their own good, and for th
peace and welfare of our beloved State, en-
deared to me by the associations Of long an
active years, and by the enjoyment Of her high
| est hono1s. -.
| And appealing to my fc1low-citfzcns Q
/ Tennessee, I point them 10 NY long public 1if