Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-10-27

in arms until The Constitution of the United States and
all laws and procamstions made 10 pursuance thereof
shall be established all the people OF every State and
Territory embraced within the National Union until Tin
bref the war shall be at an end. Now, we freely aVow
to your Excellency and to the world that earnestly
desire the return of peace and good will to our now I'M
happy country that seek neither pleasure profit nor
honor 10 the perpetuation Of war; that we should ee
bound Christians patriots and as civilized men-that
we are bound by the oahs have akeno countenance
and any negotiations which may be entered into
by the proper authorities with the intent 70 peace
aud union under the Constitution we have sworn 10 sup
port and defend We should be traitors TO our country
false to our oathsse indeed to the primary clause Of
the oath we are discussing to oppose such negoua
tons We cannot consent to swear at the ball0tbox
war of determination asaiost our ano Aaarea
can be brought honorable and lawful conclusion
conts. saDguna and ruinous that has scourged
mankind.
You will not have forgotten that in the month of July
last you issued the following proclamation: II"
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington July H. 1864.
To ackom IL mag concern: ....
Any proposition which embraces the restoration of peace
the integrity the whole Union and the abandonment OF
slavery and which comes by and with az authority that can
nrol the armies against the United States Will
and ed by the Executive OF
the United and will be met By lib on ss
1''''1 AsRAHAM LINCOLN.
This is certainly proposition to treat with rebels in
arms-with their chiefs Are we now to understand by
this proclamation of acting under your authority and
himself candidate with you for the second ONCE that
even the above proposition is wthdrawn-that you will
have no negotiations upon any put unre
entng to the bitter end? Or are we to understand
that while you hold this proposition open OF yourself free
to your judgment may dictate We the citizens OF
Tennessee, SHAH s0ear to OPPOSE your negotiations
In the ext breath the who has already been thus
far qualified is required to swear that be will heartily
aid the loyal people in phacuer measures may
adapted for the attainment OF these ends Adopted by
whom he oath does not say. We cannot tell what
may be adopted We cannot comment upon the
urdy OF the obligation here imposed without danger
Of departing from that respectful popriey of language
which we desire addressing the Chief
trate the American people But this is the clause Of
oath which he candidate for the Vice Presidency requires
The lips of the loyal and qualified voters of 1enness O.
before these ctz shall be allowed to vote for against
you and himself at the coming election liza,
For these ms, and others which for the sake Of
brevity omit solemply protest against the interior
elective franchise Tennessee We deny his authority
you're alter amend, annul any law OF Tennessee
We oemaud that Tennessee be allowed to sppont her eec
tors expressly provided by the Federal Constitution
which you have support protect, and defend in
The which the Legislature thereof has prescribed
Ard that eni respectful y demand OF as the
principal under whose authority this order has been issued
that the shall be revoked We ask that all military
ntereeuc shall Withdrawn so far to allow to the loyal
mr. of Tennessee full and free election. BY the loyal
men of Tennessee those who have not partic-
dated in the rebellion or given it aid and comfort who
may have complied with such terms OF amnesty as have
| been offered them urd.r your authority.
On the 9Th day OF december, 1903, PRESIDENT,
issued procs nation declaring that afu pardon hereby
granted with etoraton OF all rights Of property &c.
each of citizens having participated directly by
implication in the existing rebellion, with certain excep
tons upon the condition that every such person shall
take and subscribe OATH and tbenceforwad keep and
MAINTAIN said oath invioate And it 10 further provided
the proclamation aforesaid that in the contingency OF
the of State government in Tennessee
certain other States named the peraons having taken the
oath referred being otherwise qualified by the election
of the State .ha be entitled TO vote The undersgned
Il af in
good faith with the terms of amnesty proposed in your
ocsmaon aore said and therefore, by Of the
iu pardon granted them fully entitled to vote and
else all other rights belonging to loyal citizens without let
Ldrance; and respectfully appeal to you, Pre-
dsnt Of the United States to make good your promise OF
pardon TO these citizens by the removal Of oil other and
further hndrance 10 their exercise OF the elective fran
chise.
But If b. claimed upon the plea Of military necessity
that guards and restrictions shall be thrown around The
ballot box in Tennessee, still ask the withdrawal Of
thu proclamation OF the Military Governor, because the
conditions thereby imposed upon the loyal OF Tennes
qualification for voters are irrelevant unreasona
be and not any test loyalty But they pledge
citizen oppose the lawful authorities in the discharge
Of their duty he oath required only calculated to keep
legal and rshtu voters from the pos We suggest that
be required but such prescribed by law Our
people will hesitate however to take the usual oath
Of loysly-for example in the language OF the primary
clause Of the oath in question: That will henceorth
support the Constitution Of the United States and defend
1t against the assaults of its enemies Denying your
right make any departure from tire law in the case,
| shall, however, feel no hardship IN this.
I he Convention to which Gov. johnson refers was
mere partisan meeting, having authority, and not rep
resentng the loyal men Of Tennessee in any sense.
The Of the gners Of this protest have been placed
before the people OF ennessee candidates for Electors
who II chosen expected to cast the electoral voice Of
Tennessee for George Mcclellan for President and
George PeDdleton for Vice Presd mt. BY virtue Of
such position it becomes province especially to appear
before you in the attitude we do We are aware that
grave questions may arse any event. with regard to the
regularity Of the vote OF Tennessee consequence OF the
partially dsorganlzeu condition Of the State The friends
Of your reelection however announced electoral ticket
made for the holding of the election leaving that matter
no longer question Sme time thereafter our electoral
ticket placed before the public and within few days
followed the proclamation complained Of We Tor cur.
selves and those represent are willing 10 leave all
questions involving the right Of Tennessee TO participate
the election to the decision Of competent authority.
Il WIN CAMPBELL, Of Wilson county.
THos. A. X NELSON, Of Washington co.
For the State at Large.
/ JAS T. p. CARTER, Of Carter county.
JOHN WILLIAMS, Of Knox county.
| A BLIZZARD. Of McMinn county.
| HENRY COOPER, Of Bedford county,
| BAILIE PEYToN Of sumner county.
JOHN LELLYETT, OF Davidson county.
| Ell. ETHERIDGE, Of Weakly county.
JOHN u. PERRYMAN, Of Shelby county.
For the Districts.
GAfter the foregoing paper had been read brief
colloquy ensued between the President and Mr..
Lellyett, as described in the following communi-
cation
WASHINGTON OCTOBER II, 1864.
To The Editors Of The National Tatsiigeneer.