The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-11-11
THE TENNESSEE INFAMy.
a REPLY TO MR.. LINCOLN

Some Additional and Most I'M
portant Facts. ID.
To HIS Ercellency Abraham Lincoln, PresidAnt
ofthe United States:
SIR: Your letter in reply to the Tennessee
protest has reached us, and has no doubt been
read by the people. The argument on this
subject is nearly exhausted, but we have addi-
tiOnal and most important facts to submit to
the people, in further elucidation of the sub
ject.
Our wonder is not excited to learn that you
had not seen the proclamation of Gov. John
son, and scarcely heard of it until presented by
us. 1t is an evil of no small magnitude, con-
nected with your administration, that military
subordinates assume despotic powers, without
asking the sanction of their superiOrs-even
presuming to give law to the people by prOcla-
nation, and to repeal and modify our laws at
will. The idea that the President himself can
make, or repeal or modify the law of the land
state or national, constitutional or statutory,
doctrine of despotism in "irrepressible con.
fict' with the principles of public liberty. And
when these things are done by subordinates.
the evil becomes intOlerably oppressive, and
calls for the frmest and most active lawful re-
sistance which people deserving to be free
cm offer. - +
You tell us that the movement set on foot
by the convention and Gov. johnson does not.
as seems to be assumed by you, emanate from
the national executive" What we did assume
is, that the plan was promulgated by the proc
lamation of the military governor, who has no
authority but that derived directly from you !:
and it was given the force of law by HIS edict.
1t thus became indirectly your act ; and now
that you, decline to order the edict to be recall
ed or modified, it becomes your own as fully
as if it had emanated from you. "In no pro.
other than an independent movement of at
least portion of the loyal people of Tennes.
see" Independent of what? Manifestly inde-
pendent of all lawful authority-independen
of. and at war with, the Federal Constitution,
which you have both sworn to support, pro
tect and defend. What right has citixea or
officer to favor an independent movement
the same by force of arms? What less is this
than waging war against tho Constitution Of
the United States, and the government cstsb-
lished thereby? IAN independent movement "
against the Constitution, supported By a mill.
tary Governor by force of arms s!-recommend-
ed By an assembly calling itself convention
Such in principle were the independent
hASvSIASutS vi 0OFCtAOIo 0uu DOEtlOQB OI
the people, which set at first in motion the
great rebellion in the South with which we are
contending. The convention calls upon q
military Governor to order an independent
movement" to help your reelection, and to
support it by force of arms, placing guards
around The ballot box. And their recOmmen.
dation is adopted by the military Governor,
and made" by him "part of his proclama.
ton"
And yet you say, II do not perceive in the
plan any menace of coercion or violence to-
wards any one." Just so with the earlier Gin
dependent movement" of Gov Harris in this
state which We opposed as we oppose this.
There was no menace of coercion or violence
toward any who should consent to see the con-
sttution violated; and the political plan -
carried out without opposition. But the boyO-
net was kept in view, as is in this case. Public
meetings were meDaced, and perhaps broken
up by armed force. And SO it is now. Those
opposed to tho independent movement" were
denounced as traitors, and 80 they arc now.
Troops from our own and from other States
were used to, overawe the people, and 80 they
are now. We had vigilance committees, and
mob violence, then. We have now secret
leagues. and are liable at any time to arbitrary
arrest, as well as to- mob violence, which is
now used In our midst.
These are general facts in support of which
we add the following specifications
We have held number Of peaceable and
loyal public meetings IL this city, more than
one of which has been menaced by your
partisans. On the 21st inst. such a meeting
was held at the courthouse in this city. It
was held peacefully" and conducted "loyal-
ly," the assembly consisting chiefly of the
g friends of George B. Mcclellan" A number
of provost guards were present, by request Of
those who conducted the meeting, to preserve
order. The meeting had been addressed by q
gentleman who is in exile from bis home be-
cause of his loyalty, and who has spent much
time in the military service of the government
during the war. One Of the undersigned, .
Mcclellan elector (Hon. Bailie Peyton), had
taken the stand to address the meeting, when
the hall was suddenly entered by large party
of soldiers, and the meetisg violently broken
up. These men rushed in with guns and drawn
pistols, crying "disperse you id rebels and
traitors" extinguishing the lights and driving
the people from the hall.
We specify further, that on the 25th instant
the rioters, thirty in number, published card
in the Nashville Times, the organ in this city
OF Gov. johnson, to which they append their
names as 'all members of Company D, 1st
Tennessee Light Artillery" This company
was raised and its officers appointed Gas we un-
derstand) under the superintendance of Gov.
johnson. The rioters speak thus in their card:
" Neither Gov. johnson nor any other individ-
ual outside OF the men who were active partic-
ipants, knew anything of our intentions until
the affair was over. Some cOlOred men may
have followed us, but we know nothing Of
them" We do not fear a court martial, I"
they deflantly add, land therefore cheerfully
give our names rs loyal and Union-loving sol
diers."
Wespecify further, that, On the evening of
the oath, only three days after the Mcclellan
meeting was broken up, our streets were para
ded by an Immense procession OF negroes,
bearing torches and transpaerncies, with such
inscriptions on the latter as Lincoln and John
SON." Liberty or DEATH" Some disorders
occurred in connection with this demOnstra-
tion, and shots were freely fred by the negroes
some at window where white persons were
standing, and some at persons on the streets