Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-09-03
RESTORATION IN TENNESSEE.

A large | MON restoration meeting was held at
Franklin, in Williamson county, Tennessee, on
Saturday, the I'D ultimo full report Of which
reachedus several days ago in the Nashville Union
The large majority OF the audience were country
people, who came from all directions. The speakers
were Governor JOHNSON, Mr. BRowNIoW, Col
HoUcK, Judge BaIEN, and Col. EDWARDS. They
were all thoroughly for the Union and were listen
ed to with profound attention. The following ex-
tract from the speech of Governor JOHNSON dis
closes his views AS to the manner ard the necessity
! of restoration:
The idea has been cunninely circulated that after the
rebellion has heen suppressed the North will not let us
back into the Union let have State government!
What shallow bumbugQery and deception Some think
must petition the Cover nment 10 get back INTO the
Union. deny the doctrine OF secession wholly, abso-
lutey ceo Tennessee is not out OF the Union never
has been and never will be out The bonds Of the Con
suton and the Federal power Will always prevent that
This Government perpetual provision is made for re-
forming the Government and amending the Constitution
ard admitting States the Union not for letting them
ont of IT, The changing condition and wants OF the
people require tho Improvement not destruction OF the
Government.
sour State Cover ment lies dormant and civil govern
ment ia suspended in this convuion What shall be done
come not with the sword in one hand and the torch IN
the other but with the olive branch of peace and urge
you to the work of restoration. 1t sa noble work The
beauty and wisdom of the Constitution are unequaled for
its grouping of principles seems like an emanstion OF di-
vine wisdom 1t guarantees republican government to
all the States When the rebellion overthrow your State
Government the United States guaranteed you aIepubi-
can government still This is its simple duty and obiga-
ton 1t is Government of many States and u ere must
be harmony between all parts of the machinery thsre
must not be clahng between the different wheels OF our
/ political system
Where are we now There is a rebellion This
anticipated, as ! said The rebel army is driven back
Here lies your States sick in his bed emacated
and exhausted parayzed in all his powers and unable to
walk alone The physician comes; don't quarrel about
anecedents but administer to his wants and him
quickly as possible The United States sends an agent
military governor, whichever you please to call him.
to aid you in restoring your Government Whenever You
desire 10 good faith civil authority you do
So Manifest de sire to do and proclamation for an
election will be issued speedily as 1T IS practicable TO
hold one One by all the agencies OF your State Go
vernnent will be in motion. Legislature will be
elected Judges will be appointed temporarily until you
them the polls and of riffs county court
judges justices, and other officers until the way fairly
open Tor the people and all the parts Of civil government
/ resume their ordinary functions
/ This il no nice, intricate metaphysical question 1t
is plain matter and thele is nothing in
The way but obstDacy Do you want government or re-
beon chaos anarchy ard guerrilla warfare and rapine
II is with you el0w citizens TO choose which you will
havs2 You used TO contend stouty for mans capabiy
for sefgOvemment Have you been deluded that you
have lost faith in this doctrine My countrymen, If
knoa my heart the brst energies Of my life bave been
de voted t. the def, Of this great prime pie
honestly sought elevate my fellow did it openly;
wRged guerrilla warfare nor luEed IN ambush, aud
advocate the great principles which ever did
We make The IT, yGu directly Will you have free civil
government tell you, people OF Franklin and William
not 10 the spirit OF menace with fofked tongue
for the purpose of deception that the Government will
put down the rebellion and govern yOu either through
y1ur fundamentally through IFS appointed agents.
Messrs ID b Clihe, Samuel Henderson. w. s. Campbell,
A. X Pinkstou and Frank Hardeman who had been sp.
pointed at preliminary conference TO prepare PROPOSE
tons for the consideration Of this meeting reported the
following preamble and resolutions, which were unani
mou-y sdop'ei by the meeting, viz
/ "WHEREAs a portion Of the citizens Of Williamson
county assembled in Franklin Saturday, the 18th IN
sant Ia consult or counsel esch other the most suit
able and eecua remedy for the evils which oppres them
and the at to avert the caamtes with which they
are and whereas their suherngs have resulted
from the absence of that system of civil law and order
under which they free and prosperous and happy
and whereas the ciiizens then presentdesirng that all
should unitsrequesed a met ting of their fellow cit
at this place this day and appointed the undersigned
committee to prepare resolutions expressing their views
for the approval Of this meeting: Therefore,
! Rssopcd That 10 the opinion oi this meeting the
soration Of cirH i0 and order is Indispensable to the
cury Of persons and property and to this end the
tablisheut Of he authority o the Federal Gcverament
over State is a NECESSITY.
ResolUed That experience Of two years of anarchy
confusion and misrule impeses with the inestimabe
value of the blessings have lost aud the calames OF
the have taught wisdom for the future aud II pos
sibr increased attachment and devotion to our old
Government; aad therefore earnestly desire the reso
ration Of the Federal and State Governments over us
possible and p dge ourselves to make all honora-
ole sIeone to resre aud maintain the supremacy oil the
Resolped That one, and in our opinion, the best
means to accomplish these ohjects Gov Johnson be re-
uuesed to wits Of election for members OF the Le
gislature a the earliest day practicable"
Tie Nashville Union says, in reference TO the meet
ings
The resolutions were adopted by loud, hearty and
uC Canimous vote. Our Union friends IN Wllams0n who
been tried the ire and precious than ne
gold greatly encouraged aud feel hopeful One gen.
w. man told he had not such an attendance al
speaking in Franklin for several years.
The Nashville Prss, speaking on the same subject,
says:
The assemhlage Of citizens large considering the
absence Of many from the comfy in TIE army and else
where should pronounce il very large. The most
perfect good ordf and sbrey prevailed Throughout due
should tain believe ess to the lnaocesslblV 81 va
Bourbon than tO the Olt mny which the condition OF toe
country fitted to impress upon every responsible citizen
The resolutions nd pied unanimously; we may add
also that they passed without Discussion That such
proceeding under a tEe crcumsancrs IS an absolute test
OF the feelings aud opinions u every 10 the meeting s
not to be nssted on, for the most obvious reasons sh
think it may be fairly assumed that it s thereby shown
that considerable body OF citizens OF Wlliamson county
entertain thoughts 0 her resistance to the just author
ity Of the Federal Government. lt would seem That
nothing further H required "a be ascerapad IN order to
warrant the national authorities in concedng to the peo
pie of Williamson all the privileges OF citizens oi the Uni
ted STATS still reserving OF individual guit 10 DO
tried and punished b. tae oper tribunals
We learn by telegraph that subsequently to the above
neeog another largely attended held at Pelham in
Greenbriar county Which resolutions passed ex
pressse Of desire return TO the Unon repndasae the
act ef sson passed 10 1861 ard recommending re-
organz ltOn Of tie State.