Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-08
Reorganization Of Civil Government
In Observation-Disclosures by
Governor johnson.


NASHVILLE, January 26, 1864
WHEREAS, in consequence of the dis
loyalty of large majority of the person.
filling the Offices established by the Con
stitutlOn and laws of Tennessee, and Of
the majority of the people of the State
and as part of the legitimate fruits ot
secession and rebellion against the Gov
ernment of the United States, the people
OF Tennessee have been deprived for
nearly three years of all free, regular
and legitimate civil Government, and
they are now without Governor chosen
In the ordinary way, Legislature, Repre-
sentation in the Congress of the United
States, and without Courts, Judges,
Chancellors, and the various legitimate
ly authorized county officers;
AND WHEREAS, it is believed that a
majority of the people of the State are
ready and desire TO return to their al
leglance to the Government of the United
States, and to recognize and restore the
state Government to the exercise of its
rightiul functions, as a State of the
American Union, under the Constitution
OF the United States, and as an initiate
ry step IN such reorganization and res
toratlon, it is determined to open an d
hold an election on the first Saturday in
March next, in the various precincts
districts, or wherever it is practicable so
to do, in the respective counties of the
State, as prescribed by the laws and Con-
stltutlon of the State, to-wit: Justices of
the Peace, Sheriffs, Constables. Trustees,
Circuit and County Court Clerks, Regis
ters and Tax Collectors:
Now, therefore, by virtue of the au-
thority vested in me, and for the purpose
of bringing the State of Tennessee
! within the provisions of the Constitution
OF the United States, which guarantees
to each State a republican form of gov
ernment, LIDO order said elections to be
! holden in the various counties on the
first Saturday in March next, for the Off
GERS aforesaid and none other.
But, inasmuch as these elections are
ordered in the State of Tennessee. as a
State of the Union under the Federal
Constitution, it is not expected that the
enemies of the United States will pro-
pose to vote, nor is it intended that they
be permitted to vote or hold office.
And in the midst of so much disloyalty
and hostility as have existed among the
people of this State toward the Govern
ment of the United States, and in order
to secure the votes of its friends, and
exclude those of its enemies, have
deemed it proper to make known the
at said elections. To entitle any person
to the privilege of voting, he must be a
free white man, of the age of twenty-one
years, being citizen of the United
States and citizen of the county where
he may offer his vote, six months pre-
ceding the day of election, and a COM
petent witness in any court of Justice of
the State, by the laws thereof, against
white man; and not having been con-
vleted OF bribery or the offer of to bribe,
of larceny or any other offense declared
infamous by the laws of the State, un-
less he has been restored to citizenship
in the mode pointed out by law, And
he must take and subscribe, before the
Judges Of the election the following oath:
81 solemnly swear, that l will hence
forth support the Constitution of the
United States, and defend it against the
assaults of all its enemies; that will
hereafter be and condnet myself as true
| and faithful citizen of the United States
freely and voluntarily claiming to be
subject to all the duties and obligations,
and entitled to all the rights and privi-
leges of such citizenship; that | ardently
desire the suppression of the present re-
bellion and insurrection against the
oF Al Il
success of its armies and the defeat of
all those who oppose them, and that the
| Constitution Of the United States, and
all laws and proclamations made in
pursuance thereof, may be speedily and
permanently established and enforced
over all 1.-THE people, States and Terrific
ries thereof; and further, that | will
hereafter heartily aid and assist all loyal
people in the accomplishment of these
results. So help me God.
And all the Judges, officers and per-
sons holding the election, before enter
ing on their respective duties, in addition
to the oath now required by the laws of
! the State, shall take and subscribe the
same oath, and also that they will per-
NIT no one to vote who has not taken and
subscribed to the above set forth, or re-
/ fuses to do so.
The provisions of the Code, in regard
! to Inspectors and Judges of Elections,
are as follows:
Section S4l. The County Court, at
the session next preceding the day of
election, shall appoint three Inspectors
or Judges for each voting place to SUI
perintend the election.
/ Section S42. Ii the County Court fail
to make the appointment, or any person
appointed refuse to serve, the Sheriff,
with the advice of three Justices of the
Peace, or if none be present, three re-
spectacle freeholders shall, before the
/ beginning of the election, appoint said
Inspectors or Judges.
Section S43. If the Sheriff, or other
officer whose duty it is to attend at
particular place of voting, under the
foregoing provisions, fail to attend, any
Justice of the Peace present, or if no
Justice of the Peace be present, any
three freeholders may perform the du-
ties prescribed by the preceding section,
or, in case of necessity, may act as off
GERS or Inspectors
Now, whereas, in many of the coun-
ties there are no County Courts, Sheriffs,
or justices of the Peace, and in others
the persons now and heretofore filling
these offices are disloyal, and therefore
dlsquallhed, IN all such counties some
respectable citizen of the county will be
appointed to hold said elections. appoint
Judges, Clerks, and other officers, either
by himself or his deputies, and admins
ter the oath to such officers, and receive
the votes and make due returns to the
Office of Secretary of State. All other
steps will be taken looking to the cleo
tion of the other officers, Federal and
State, as soon as practicable.
In testimony whereof, |, Andrew John
z-a son. Military Governor of the
State of Tennessee, do hereunto
LIS. set my hand, and cause the
Great Seal of the State to be
affixed at this Department, on
the 26th day of January, A. d.,
1854