The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-09-01
The Question Of Reconstruction
A PEICH OF GOV. JonNslN, OF TENNE>sI

The Question Of Reconstruction
SPEECH OF GOV. JoHNslN, OF TENNESSEE.
An immense Union meeting was held at Frank
lin, Tenn, Aug. %. Parson Brow low made a
speech and was followed BY Gov. Johnson, who
said
"The 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 a State Government !! What shallow hum
buggery and deception SOM think we must
petition the Government to get back into the
Union | deny the doctrine of secession wholly,
absolutely, toto cello. Tennessee is not out of the
Union, never has been and never will be out.
The bonds of the constltntihn and the Federal
power will always prevent that. This Govern
ment is perpetual provision is 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 ever-changing
condition and wants of the people require the i'm
proyement, not destruction of the Government.
Our State Government lies dormant, aud civil
government suspended during this convulsion.
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 is a noble work.
The beauty and wisdom of the constitution are
unequa'ed for it's grouping of principles seem
like an emination of divine wisdom. 1t guaran-
tees a republican government to all the States.
When the rebellion 6erthrew your State Govern
ment, the United States guaranteed you a repub-
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 clashing between the
different wheels of our system. Where are we
now There is a rebellion this was anticipated
rs | said. The rebel army is driven back. Here
lies YOUR State a sick man in his bed, emaciated
and exhausted, paralyzed i all his powers and I'M
able to walk alone. The physician comes. Don't
quarrel about antecedents, but administer to his
wants. and cure him as quickly as possible. The
United States sends an agent, or a Military Goy-
ernor, whichever you please to call MN, to aid
YOU in restoring your Government: whenever
you desire, in good faith, to restore CIVIL au'nof'y,
yon can do 40. Manifest a desire to do so, and
a proclamation for an election VIII 90 issued 90
ane.dilv a. it is practicable to hold one. One by
all the agencies OF your State Government
he act In motion. A legislature will be
JUDGES Will v Q oPPSA'ea Sff
until YOU can elect at the polls and so Of Sherltfs,
County Court Judges, Justices and other officers,
until the way is fairly open for the people, and all
parts of civil government resume their ordl-
nary functions. This ia no nice, intricate, meta
physical question. It. Isl plain, common sense
and ,hsre is nothing in the way but OBJ
~,tinscy. Do you want government or rebellion,
chaos. anarchy, and guerrilla warfare and raplne ?
Il ia with YOU, fellow citizens, to choose which
viii YOU have You used to contend stoutly for
man. c.pability for selt-governmens. Have you
hsen so deladed ths, you have lost faith in this
doctrine ? My counlrymsn, il 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-nen.
7 did i. openly; | wsged no guerrilla warfare, nor
iurked in any ambush. and l advocate now the
.ame great principles which ever did. We MAKE,
4. ;,sus to you directly-WD you have free
o;y;l Government ? tell you people OF Frank
lin and Wilmington, not in the spirit OF menace,
NOR with q forked tongue for the purpose OF de-
~oeption, that the Government will put down the
ysbsl;op, and govern you, either through your
own fundamentally, or through its appointed
agents."