The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-24
The Restoration Of the Union.

The statesmen of this Republic have before
them questions, scarcely, if any, less momentous
in their aspect, or in the consequences that will
follow their solution, than those which tasked
the powers and the wisdom of the trainers of our
form Of Government. A state of instruction
Of such gigantic proportions as the one We hope
is now receiving it's death blow, is an anomaly
in our history, and the past furnishes little help
TO assist in our extrcation. The Government
has already decided upon a temporary military
State Government, as fast as the rebel States are
occupied by Federal troops, and held TO their al
legiance by the power of bayonets, and, in the
case OF Tennessee, it has sent Andy johnson as
the Military Governor, to guide that State back
to its obedience. This act the Federal Govern
ment does not seek to justify under any civil
power confded to it, but regards it as "a military
necessity, and whatcver power, or authority, or
right, Gov. johnson has under his commission,
rests in the military arm of the Republic. He
is not State tunctionary, any more than Brig
ham Young is Il State officer, and if in his ad .
mlnistratlon Of his office, he regards himself as
bound by any of the Laws, usages, or even the
Constitution Of Tennessee it is because the Gov
eminent chooses to make him the executor of
such laws, usages, and Constitution and he acts
as its agent, and in its place and name, and not
short, for the time being, however much we may
please ourselves with the idea that as fast as the
Union army advances, the old Union is restored,
we arc met with the uncompromising fact that
Tennessee, is, in reality, held as a subjugated
province, and is ruled by the absolute will and
pleasure of the administration at Washington.
1t has no State Legislature which the Govern
nent recognizes. Its Constitution, which pro-
vides for its election of Governor, is dsrega.ded
and over-ridden. Its State laws are enforced
and obeyed no further than is considered COM
patible with the maintenance Of the Federal au-
thority. Its State Capitol is occupied, without
leave asked, by the United States authority
And all the operations OF the Provisional Gov
ernment are carried On without the consent Of
Inc peOpio OF tnaC State.
But this is only the beginning of the difficult
ties Prior to the secession of Tennessee it had
u State organization as perfect, and as free from
the control or intermeddling of the Federal Gov
eminent as Vermont. But the persons who are
exercising the functions of office, under the au-
lhority of the State of Tennessee, are rebels, and
En bac Jr;
Johnson's office is said to be only temporary
one, and that through this Provisional Govern
ment, the State organization is to be again re.
vived by the vote of the people. An election IS
to be ordered and the officers are to be indicted
into office, and commissioned in some way by
Federal authority. When shall this election bo
held? Who shall be allowed to vote? Who
shall be allowed to hold Office under it? Will
not the Federal power be compelled to decide
these questions? And does not such decision
virtually take from the State its boosted sover-
eighty? And these difficulties will meet the
Government on the threshold of every rebel
State not yet reclaimed. For the time being
the State organization will be compelled to give
way. The State laws and Constitutions will
yield to the military necessities Of the situation
In North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida
the military and civil power of the General Gov
eminent gives no heed whatever to the States OF
their laws. Itacts upon instructions from head
quarters, and ignores entirely oil tie right, O.
State sovereignty. Now, wherein in this condl
ton of the rebellious States for the present any
better, either really or in legal point Of view
than would be territorial condition d? They en-.