Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-09-08
The Question of Reconstruction.

SPEECH OF Gov JOHNSON, OF TENNESSEE.
An immense Union meeting was held at Frank.
lin, Tenn, Aug 23. Parson Brownlow made a
speech and was followed by Gov. johnson, who
said
"Tbs idea has been cunningly circulated that
after the rebellion has been suppressed, the north
will not let US back into the Union, nor let us
have State Government What shallow hum
buggery and deception Some think we must
petition the Government to get back into the
Union. | deny the doctrine OF secession wholly,
absolutely, toto cGlo. Tennessee is not ou! Of the
Union, never has been and never will be out.
The bonds Of the constilnthn aud the Federal
power will always prevent that This Govern
ment is perpetual provision |, made for REFORM
ing the Government and amending the constitu-
ton, and admitting States into the Union not
for letting them out Of it. The eyer-changng
condition and wants Of the people require the I'M
proyement, not destruction Of the Government.
Our State Government lies dormsnt, and civil
government suspended during this couvolslon.
What shall be done ? | come, not with the
sword in one hand and the torch IN the other, but
with the oive.branch OF peace, and urge you to
the work Of restoration. 1t is noble work.
| The beauty and wisdom Of the constitution are
unequa ed, for its grouping of principles seem
like an emination OF divine wisdom IL guaran-
tees republican government to all the States.
When the rebellion overthrew your State Govern
menl, the United States guaranteed you repuo-
lican Government still. This is its simple duty
and obligation.
1t is a Government Of many States, and there
must be harmony between all parts OF the ma
chinery there must not be cashng between tue
different wheels Of our sy,tem. Where are We
nowP There is rebellion this was anticipated
as said. The rebel army is driven back. Here
lies your State sick man in his bed, emaclated
and exhausted paralyzed l. all his powers and un-
able TO walk alone. The physician comes. Don't
quarrel about antecedents, but administer to his
wants, aud cure him as quickly as possible. The
United States sends an agent, or Military dov-
ernor, whichever you please to call him. to aid
you in restoring your Government Whenever
you DESIRE in good faith TO restore civil authority,
YOU can do 90. Manifest desire to DO so, aud
proclamation for an election will be issued as
speedily as It i. practicable to hold one. One by
one all the agencies OF your State Goysrnment
will be set in motion A legislature will be
elected. Judges will be appointed temporarily,
until you can elect at the poll, and so OF Shers,
County Court Judges, Justices and other officers,
until the way is fairly open for the people, and all
the parts of civil government resume their ordI-
nary functions This is no nice, intricate, meta
physical question. 1t i,a plain, common sense
matter and there is nothing in the way but OBJ
stih.cy. Do you want government or tebellion,
chaos, anarchy, and guerrilla warfare and rapne 7
1t j. with you, fellow citizens, to oose which
will you have ? You used to contend stouty for
mans capabli,y for seltgoyernment. Have you
been so deluded that you have lost faith in this
doctrine My countrymen, i you know my
heart, the best energies Of my life have been de-
voted to the defence OF this great principle. |
even honestly sought to elevate my fellow-u,en.
did it openly; | wsged no guerrilla warfare, nor
urked in any ambush. and | advocate now the
same great principles which ever did. Wemake
the issue to you directly-Will you have irse,
civil Government ? l tell you people Of Frank
lin and Wilmington, not in the spirit Of menace,
nor With forked tongue for the purpose Of de.
ception, that the Government will put down the
rebellion, and govern you, either through your
own instrumentalty or through its appointed
| agents."