The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-10-20
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WAsHINGros, I
July is, 1864. :
40 Whom IL Nay Concern:

-
aAny proposition which embraces the
restoration Of PEACE, the integrity of the
vhole Union, and the abandonment OF
,layerv. and which comes by and with an
authority that can control the armies now
at war against the United States, will be
and considered by the executive
of the United States, and WILL
be met by liberal terms on other substan>
tial and collateIa al points, and the bearer or
hearers thereof shall have sale q
both ways. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
This is certainly a proposition to treat
with rebels in arms-with their chiefs. Are
we now to understand BY this prociama.
ton of one acting under your author ",
and himself a candidate with you for the
second office, that even the above proposes
ton is withdrawn-that you will hence.
forth have no negotiation, upon any terms,
but unrelenting war to the bitter end? Or
are we to understand, that while You hold
this proposition open, or yourself free fosct
as your Judgment maydictate, we, the CIT
liens of Tennessee, shall swear to oppose
Won negotiations In the next breath,
the voter who has already been thus far
oualfied. is required to wear that ne Will
aheartily aid and assist the loyal people In
whatever measures may be adopted for tue
attainment of these ends" Adopted py
whom? The oath does not say. we can
NOT tell what measures may be adopted.
We cannot comment upon the absurdity OF
the obligation here imposed without dan
per of departing from that respectful pro-
11riety of language which we desire to pre-
serve in addressing the chief magistrate OF
the American people. But this is a clause
If an oath which the candidate for the Vice
Presidency requires from the lips OF the
loyal and qualified voters OF Tennessee, De
fore these citizens shall be allowed to vote
for or against you and himself at the com
ing election.
For these reasons, and others, which for
the sake af brevity we omit, we solemnly
protest against tbs interference Of the y H.
itary governor with the freedom OF the elec>
ten franchise in Tennessee. We deny his
authority and yours, to alter, amend, or
annul, any law of Tennessee. We demand
that Tennessee be allowed to appoint her
electors as expressly provided by the Fede@
raj Constitution, which you have sworn to
support, protect, and defend, in the manner
which the legislature thereofhas prescribed.
And to that end we respectfully demand OF
you, as the principal under whose authority
this order has been issued, that the same
shall be revoked. We ask that all military
Interference shall be withdrawnso far as to
allow to the loyal men of Tennessee a full
and free election. By the loyal men OF
Tennessee, we mean those who have not
participated in the rebellion, or given it aid
and comfort; or who may have complied
with such terms of amnesty as have been
offered them under your authority.
On the 9Th day of december, 1869, you,
as President, issued a proclamation, declar>
ing that "full pardon is hereby granted
"with the restoration of all rights of props
erty," &c, to each Of our citizens having
participated directly or by implication, in
the existing rebellion, with certain excep-
TONS "upon the condition that every such
person shall take and subscribe an oath,
and thenceforward keep and maintain said
oath inviolate.' And it is further provided
in the proclamation aforesaid, that in the
contingency of the reorganization of a State
government in Tennessee, or certain other
States named, the persons having taken the
oath referred to, being otherwise qualified
by the election law of the State shall be
entitled 10 vote. The undersigned would
state, that many of our citizens have CON-
piled in good faith with the terms Of am
nesty proposed in your proclamation afore.
said, and are, therefore, by reason of the
full pardon granted them, fully entitled to
vote, and exercise all other rights belonging
to loyal citizens without let or hlnGrance;
and We respectfully appeal to You, as Pres
ident OF the United States, to make good
your promise Of pardon to those citizens,
by the removal of all other and further bin-
drauce to their exercise of the elective
franchise. But if it be claimed upon the
plea of military necessity, that guarus and
restrictions shall be thrown around the
ballot box in Tennessee, we still ask the
withdrawal of the proclamation of the mil.
itary governor, because the conditions
imposed upon the loyal men Of Ten
nessee as a qualification for voting, are ir.
relevant, unreasonable, and not in any
sense a test of loyalty. But they pledge
the citizen to oppose the lawful authorities
in the discharge of their duty. The oath re-
quired is only calculated to keep legal and
voters from the polls. We suggest
that no oath be required but such as press
cribedb by law. Our people will not hesitate,
however, to take the usual oath of Loyalty
for example, in the language OF the primary
of tho oath in question: THAT /
will henceforth support the Constitution OF
the United States, and defend it against
The assault of its enemies" DENYING your
right to make any departure from the law in
the case, We shall, however, feel no hard
ship in this. The convention to which Gov.
refers, was a mere partisan meet
int, having no authority, and not represent,
ing the loyal men Of Tennessee, in any
Iense.
The James of the signers of this protest
,ave been placed before the people of Ten
nessee as candidates for electors. who. ifI
are expected to cast the electoral
7oice of Tennessee for George B Mcclellan
or President, and George n. Pendleton for