Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-23
General Carter to Colonel ByrG.

D tO
The following letter to Colonel BYRn
/ by General CARTER, will be read with in
terest by Tenncsseeans. 1t makes some
capital suggestions, and is, throughout, a
sensible and patriotic letter:
OFFICE PRovosr MARSHAL GEn'L OF f. TExS,)
Knoxville Tenn, Jan. p, 1864.
Colonel r. Il Byrd, C5n,d- 9 Post, Kfnqston Tenn:
COLoSEL-Your favor of til. 18th inst, has been
received, and in conformity with yoursrequest laid
before Major-General FOSTER.
l agree with you that it is the duty of our citizens
to prepare the way for reorganization of the
State Government as speedily us possible The
work could have been done in September of last
year, when nearly every county in the State was
free from organized bodies of the rebels If active
measures had been then taken for the accomplish
ment of that end our citizens would have been
saved many losses and much suffering From the
of courts and county officers there are no suf-
feient for enforcing the laws and as a conse-
qucnce bad men are without restraint and the guilty
escape punishment. trust that the loyal people of
the various counties will lose no time in taking the
matter in hand and asserting their right to selfgov
eminent.
The right is guaranteed to the people by the Con-
stituton of the United States to assemble together
in orderly manner, and never since the close of
the war of the revolution, has greater necessity
listed for the people to ncet for consultation than
l am glad to find that the county of Roane
noted for the memorable and heroic devotion of
its people to the of the Union in its da r>est
hour-the county from which SO many brave volun-
teers rallied around countrys flag, when the
peril greatest stands ready to take the in
itative in this needful movement for the civil re-
generation of our State.
You are authorized to call the people together for
the purpose of adopting such measures may be
necessary for their common happiness, and for the
welfare of our State and which shall at the same
time best conserve the interests of the General Gov
eminent. While l sincerely believe that the nsti-
tuition of slavery is if not actually de:d, at least
undergoing sure process Of final extinction,
unavoidable consequence of Protracted civil war;
yet as an officer of the army refrain from gratui-
tous suggestions as to the most advisable way of
dealing with it. having ample confidence in the
prudence and sagacity of the people and doubling
not that they through such political leaders may
be chosen and instructed by them will determine
upon the wiscst and safest policy to secure, far
may be- the temporary interests of individuals and,
at the time, guarantee the permanent prosperi
ty of the State.
Ny impression is that it is necessary for all TO sub
scribe to the oath of allegiance, forth in the
Presidents Proclamation, in order that they may be
restored fully to the rghts of citizenship and espe
ciall to the exercise Of the elective franchise. In
this however | may be mistaken as nothing explain
atory the subject has been officially communicat-
ed to this Office yet, if my srpposton is correct
the takipg of the oath, far as loyal men
cerHed only be required for the reason that the
State hss been declared to be in instruction against
the General Government and not on the ground
that they as individuals stand in need Of pardon .
nasrHuch they have not been guilty Of violating
in word, or in act, the laws Of our country But if
| am correct in the view have taken it will be ne
ccssary to have two separate records kept in each
county, for the subscribers to the OATH the one for
those who have been known as truly loyal men, 70
be called the Loyal mems record and the other
for such have been guilty of aiding the rebellion
and who accept the pardon offered by the President
and which should be known as the Disoyal mems
record"
am, Colonel respectfully,
Your cbcdient servant,
5. P. CARTER
Brig. Gen. and PROF. .lfar. Cen. Z, Tenn.