Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-10-20
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
TIE nsuRPATIoN IN TENNESSEE

SATURDAY. last was submitted to the President OF the
limited States by JOHN LELLYETT, Esq, of Nash
vile. Tennessee Cone of its signers,) In pehait OF
the loyal citizens of Tennessee, whom the Hon.
Andrew johnson, the Military Governor of that
State and the Republican candidate for the Vice
Presidency. has sought to disfranchise by proea-
nation issued on the 30th of September last
T., u; Fyeslencv Abraham Lincoln, President Of the
United States:
SIR: The undersigned, loyal citizens OF the united
States and of the State OF Tennessee, on our own Dena
and on behalf the loyal people OF our STATE ASH esVe 70
submit this protest against the proclamation VI ms aoe
ancy Andrew johnson, Military Governor, ordering an
election 10 be held for President and sice Fresioent un
der certain regulations and restrictions therein sci ortn
prnted cOpy of said proclamation is herewith enclosed
Ina Constitution of the United States provides that
ench State shall appoint sRch manner as the Legisa.
,ure thereof rrau direct number OF electors &c In
der this provision of the Federal CONSTITUTION the Legs
ure 81 Tennessee years before the present rebellion,
nr.scrbed the mode of election to be observed which
will be found TO differ essentially from the mode prescribed
by The Military Governor. We herewith enclose copy
OF the law OF Tennessee governing the holding OF said
election. .. ,,. -
authority derived from the President 80 to alter and
am nd tho election law of Tennessee (enactsd under au
thor of the Constitution OF the United STATES as ABOVE
act prth) as TO make the same conform 10 bis own edlc
as set forth in the proc amation aforesaid he assumes
an 70 modfy our law TO admit persons to vote at
the said election who not entitled to vote under
the law and the Constitution of Tennessee Instance this
ur Constitution and law require that each voter shall be
citizen Of the county wherein he may offer his vote for
x months next preceding the day of election; while the
Governors order only requires that ne shall with other
qualifications naued) be citizen of Tennessee for six
months. &c. This provision would admit TO vote many
PR .ons not entitled by law.
We WILL for the sake of brevty, pass over some less i'm
portant points Of conflict between the proclamation and
The law but will instance in this place another. BY our
law is provided that the polls shall be opened in every
civil district in each county in the State but the procs-
nation provides only for their being opened at place in
each county This provision would put it out of the power
OF many legal voters to exercise the elective franchise
We osnnly protest against these nfrngements OF our
law conflicting they do with the very letter OF the
Federal Constitution because they without authority
and because they will prevent Free fair and true expres
sion of the will of the loyal people of Tennessee.
But protest still more emphahcaly against the most
unusual and practicabe oath which it proposed to
require of all citizen voters in Tennessee
The oath is as follows: Il solemnly swear that
will henceforth support the Constitution OF the
United States and defend it against the assaults of all
enemies that / active friend Of the Govern
ment of the United States, and the enemy Of the
called Confederate States; that ardently desire the
suppression OF the present rebellion az anst the Gov
erumen of the United States; that sincerely rejoice in
the triumph Of the armies and nayies of the United States
and the defeat and overthrow of the armies navies and
of all armed combinations in the interest Of the socaed
Confederate States that ,oiH cordially oppose all arms
tics negotiations for ioih rebels IN arms, until
The Constitution Of The United States and all laos and pro-
carnations made pursuance thereof shall be established
all Tho people Of tssry State and Territory embraced
lchiH the national Union and that will heartily aid and
assist the loyal people an nh0cer measures may be adopt
ed for the attainment of these ends and further that take
this oath freely and voluntarily and without mental
va,ion, So help me God"
dsproved BY other testimony is to be required to
first hat be will henceforth support the Constitution of
the United States and defend it against all enemies
This obligation we are willing to renew daily But this il
not yet deemed sufficient test Of loyalty Heis required
10 make oath and subscribe to Of vain repettons
concerning his activity friend of the Union and the
nF hia
and ftsrsand that he finds it in his heart to rejoice
the Of blood and of wounds of anguish and death
wherein hs friends, his kindred his loved ones slain,
or manned, made prisoners of war-whereby the land
Of his birth adoption is made desolae and amenaton
and mourning spread over the whole nation While
all the civilized world stands agbast in contemplation OF
the unsquaed horrors Of tremendous STRIFE the c-
zen OF Iennesee is called upon by her Military Governor
under your authority to swear that in these things be finds
citizen Is further required to to the indefinite pro-
longaton Of this war, follows: "1hat will cordially
oppose all armsces Negotiations oT peace ruth rebels
IN until the Constitution Of the United States and
all laws and proclsmstons made in pursuance thereof,
ha be established all the people Of every State and
Territory embraced within the National Union !" until Tin
brief the shall be at an end. Now, freely
to your EIceency, and to the world, that earnestly
desire the return of peace and good will to
happy country that we seek neither pleasure, profit
honor in the perpetuaton of war that we should feel
bound Christians patriots and civil zed menthat
bound by the osths have tskeno countenance
and encourage any negotiations which be entered into
and union under the Constitution have TO sup
port and defend We should be traitors to country
false oahs-ase indeed to the primary clause of
the oath discussing TO oppose such negotis-
tons We cannot consent to at the balot-box
Of determination against countrymen and kindred
proong by opposition for single day after it
be brought 10 honorable and lawful conclusion
contact the mOst angunsy and rnous that has scourged
mankind.
You will not haze forgotten that in the month Of July
las. you Issued the following proclamation:
EXECUTIVE MAEsIoE,
Washington, July Is, 1864.
proposition which embraces the restoration of peace
the integrity Of the whole Union and the abandonment
ssyery and which by and with authority that
the armies against the United States will
the United state and will be met by liberal other
Fubss s aud collateral points, and the bearer bearers
thereof shall have safe conduct both ways
ABRAHAM LIscOLs
This s certainly proposition to treat with rebels in
arms-with their chiefs. Are TO understand BY
this proclamation Of acting under your authority and
himself candidate with you for the second Office that
The above proposition il withdrawn-thst you will
henceforth have negotiations upon any but unre
that While you hold this proposition Open or yourself free
TO act as your judgment may dictate the citizens of
Tennessee, shall stoear TO OPPOSE your negotiations
In the next BREATH the who has already been thus
far qualified is required to that he will heartily
aid md assist the loyal people in hdterer measures man
De adtd Tor the attainment Of these ends Adopted BY
whom lhe oath does not say. We cannot tell what
measures may be adopted We cannot comment upon the
aospTdy OF the obligation here imposed without danger
Of departing from that respectful propristy az lanoms
which we desire to preserve 10 the
trate OF the American people But mi. ,be csn,a ~