Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-10-28

i nc NOIlucIu papers nave al iutei CoeiH s
account of the recent interview of a number
of citizens of Tennessee, signcrs of protest
against the proclamation ofGovernor John
son, regulating the Presidential electionln
That State with President Lincoln, in Wash
|iugton, on the 18th of the present month.
The pa, ers publish the protest itself, with
the signatures Of the citizens representing
the State of Tennessee. They are Messrs.
William B Campbell, Of Wilson county ;
Thomas A R Nelson, of " ashington coun
ty, for the State at large James I 2 Car
ter, Of Carter county; John Williams, of
Knox county A Blizzard, Of McMinn coun
ty Horny Cooper, of Bedford county; Bali
lie Peyton, Of Summer county: john Lell
petit, Of Davidson county; Emanuel Ether
idge, Of WeakIey county; John d Perry
man, Of Shelby county, for the Districts. =
The protest is too long to be Published in
our coluians, End possesses no clatiuteH
st.
The ground taken in the protest is that
the proclamation Of Governor johnson is an
Infringement Of the law, conflicting as it
does with the very letter of the constitution
BECAUSE tits without authority, and becnuse
it will prevent free, fair and true express
sion of the will of the people of Tennessee.
1t protests against the interference Of the
Military Governor with the freedom Of the
elective franchise in Tennessee denies his
authority and the authority of Lincoln to
alter, amend or annni any law of Tennes-
see; demands that Tennessee be allowed to
appoint her electors as expressly provided
by the Federal Constitution, in the mahSler
which the Legislature thereof has prescrib-
ed. But the signers oft protest still more
emphaticaly against the following most un-
usual and impractioable test oath which it
is proposed to require of all citizen voter
in Tennessee.
| solemnly swear that will henceforth
support the Constitution Of the United
States, and defend it again6sthe assaults f
its enemies; that am an active friend Of
the government Of the United States; that
ardenily desire the suppression Of the re.
bellion against Il government of the United
st It's; that Lsineerely..rejoice in the triumph
ofthe armies and navies of the United States.
and the enemy of the SO called Confederate
States, aud in the defeat and overthrow Of
the armies. navies, and Of all armed COM
.blnatlons in the interests of the so called
Confederate States that I acsU cordially
oppose all armiStices or negotiations for
peace uitA rebels IN arms Until the Consti-
ton Of the United States and ell lars and
protloeaotsons nsosde In pursuance thereof
shall be established ouer all Tie people fev-
cry State and Territory embraced withiu
The nat;oaa5 Uniou, and that l will hearth
ly aid aud assist the loyal people in what
ever measures may be adopted for the at
tainment Of these ends; and further, that
take this oath freely and voluntarily and
without mental reservation. So help me
God.
After the p otest follows "a account of
the interview with Mr.. Lincoln:
I called uron the President to-day and
presented and read to him the above pro
test. Having concluded, Mr. Lincoln re-
sponded-
MAY | enquire how long ittook you and
the New York politicians to concoes that
paper p
reqlied it was Connected in Nashville,
without communicating with any but Ten
nesseeana. communicated with citizens
of Tennessee outside of Nashville, but not
with New York politicians
Il will answer" said Mr. Lincoln, en-
phatieally, "that | expect to let the friends
of George B Mcclellan manage their side
of this contest 10 their own way; and will
manage my side Of it in my way"
tNa,y We ask an answer in writing
suggested.
'.Not now. Lay those papers down
here. [ will give no other answer now
may or may not write something about
this hereafter. I understand this. / know
you intend to make point Of this But
go ahead. You have my answer"
Your answer. then, is shat you expect
to let the friends of General Mcclellan man
age their side Of this contest in their own
way; and you will manage your side Of It
in your way"
"Yes."
then thanked the President FOR his
courtesy in giving us hearing at all, and
took my leave.
Judge Mason Of this city was pre- sent al
the interview, to whom I refer in regard
to the correctness Of this report. On step
ping outside the door Of the executive man
sion. Immediately wrote down tie Presi-
dents emphatic response, ana Submitted it
to Judge Mason aud another gentlemen
who happened to be present, ard they both
mr. II acruratas
B.. From the Mobile Register
ARMINa NEGROES "A year ago we CALI
ed attention in these columns to the re-
serve power of resistance to our enemies re-
siding in tho slave population of the South
We advocated then. as a last resort, and
one to be used without hesitation, The ar
ming OF the negroes whenever it became
necessary to seeuFa our independence -
The question is recently revived, and is
attracting more than usual attention. I,
is we'll that the public mind, as we'll as tao
policy Of the Government, should be set
tied en- the question, against tbe.time when
we shall have to cali On this hleans of de-
fence. We do not think tie time has yet
come. For this campaign it would be too
late, even if it were needful aud for the
next-and who knows if we are to have anoth.
er ?-there Is time TO act after the present
campai "a is finished.