The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1864-10-26
TEE USURPATION IN TRNNES-
From be Natlonal Intellirencer.


Gcnersl, in behalf Of the loyal citizens of
Tennessee, whom the Hon. Andrew johnson
the Military Governor of that State and the
Republican candidate for the Vice Presi-
/ dency, has sought to lisfranehise by proc
lamation issued on the SO,h Of September
last: -
To has E5ceiiency abraham Lincoln, Pesi-
dent gf hs Uaif,d ,StdftA
SIR: The undersigned loyal citizens Of the
| United States and OF the State of Tennes-
see, on our own behalf and on behalf of the
loyal people of our State, ask leave to sub
nit this protest against the proclamation of
his Excellency, Andrew Johnson Military
| GovernOr, ordering an election to be held
! for President and Vice President, under
certain regulations and restrictions therein
set forth. a printed copy Of said procla-
nation is herewith enclosed.
! The Constitution of the United States
| provides that leach State shall appoint, in
such manner as the Legislature thereof may
direct, a number Of electors, etc. Under
this provision of the Federal Constitution,
the Legislature of Tennessee, years before
the present rebellion, prescribed the mode
of election 10 be Observed which will be
| found 10 differ essentially from the mode
prescribed by the Military Governor. We
herewith enclosed copy of the law of Ten
nessee governing The holding of said election
The Military Governor expressly assumes,
by virtue OF authority derived from the
President, so to alter and amend the election
law of Tennessee (enacted under authorityof
the Constitution of the United States, as
above set FORTH as to make the same con
form to his own edct as set forth in the
proclamation aforesaid. He assumes so to
modify our law as to admit persons to vote
at the said election who are not entitled to
vote under the law and the Constitution Of
Tennessee. Instance this: our Constitution
and law require that each voter shall be "a
citizen of the country wherein he may offer
his vote for six months next preceding the
day of election while the Governors or
der only requires that he shall with other
qualifications named) be citizen of Tennes-
see for six month $, etc. This provision
would admit to vote many persons not en-
titled by law
We will, for the sake of brcyity, pass over
some less important points of conflict be-
tween the proclamation and the law, but
will instance IN this place another. BY our
law it is provided that the polls shall be
opened in every civil district in each coun-
ty. This provision would put it out of the
power of many legal voters to exercise the
elective franchise.
We solemnly protest against these infring-
ments OF ourl low, conflicting as they do with
the very letter Of the Federal Constitution,
because they are without authority, and be-
cause ehey will prevent free, fair and true
expression of the will Of the loyal people of
Tennessee
But we protest still more emphatically
against the most unusual and impracticable
test oath which it is proposed to require Of
all citizen voters in Tennessee.
['rhe oath is as follows: "I solemnlv swear
that will h2nceforth support the Coustitu-
tim OF the United States, and defend il
against the assaults of all enemies; that am
an active friend Of the Government of the
United States, aad the enemy of the so-call-
ed Confederate States; that l ardently desire
the suppression Of the present rebellion
against the Government of the United States;
tnat sincerely rejoice in the triumph of the
armies and navies of the United States, and
IN the defeat and overthrow Of the armies,
naYies and of all armed combinations in
the Interest of the sO-called Confederate
States; that [ will cordially oppose all ar
mlsticeS OrnegotiatiOns for peace with rebels
in arms until the Constitution of the United
States, and all laws and proclamations made
III pursuance thereof shall be established
over all tho people of every State and Ter
that Will heartily aid and assist tho loyal
people III whatever measures may be adopt
cd Tor the attainment Of these ends; and
further, that take this oath freely and vol
UNFAIRLY, and without mental reservation.
So help me God"
A citizen, qualified to vote, and dwhose 10y
alty cannot be "disproyed by other testmo-
ny, is to be required to swear, first, that he
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 is not yet deemed
a sufficient test Of loyalty. lie is required
to make oath and subscribe to mass of
vain rtpetltlons concerning his activity as a
friend OF the Union and the enemy. of it's
enemles--concerning his desires, his hopes,
and tears-and that he finds it in his heart
to rejoice over the scenes of blood, and of
wounds, OF anguish and death, wherein his
friends, his kindred, his loved ones are slain,
or manned or made prisoners Of war--wbere-
by the land OF his birth or adoption is made
desolate, and lamentatlon and mourning are
spread over the whole nation While all
theGlFillzedwould stands agashed incontom-
platlon Of the unequaled horrors of our tre-
mendous strife, the citizens Of Tennessee is
called upon by her Military Governor, UNI
- ~ J'Ii "u''oii'!: 70 swear tllaG III THESE
things he finds occasion to rejoice! As if
tins were still not enough, the citiEcnis fur
ther required to swear to the indefinite pro-
longation Of his war, as follows: That
will cordially oppose all armistices or ncgo- |
tiations for peace with rebels in arms until
the Constitution of the United States. and
all laws and pioclamations made in pur3uance
Thereof, shall be established over all the pco-
n Ill
within the NaioDal Union" until! in brief |
the war sha be at an end. Now, we freely |
ayow to your Excollcncy and to the world |
that we earnestly desire the return of peace |
and goodwi to our now unhappy country;
that we seek neither pleasure, profit, nor
honor III the perpetuatIon Of war; TINT we |
should feel bound as christians, as patriots,
and as civilized men-tliat we are bound by |
the oaths we have taken-to countenance |
and encourage any negotiations which may
be entered into by the proper authorities
with the intent to restore peace and union |
under the Constitution we have sworn to
support and defend. We should be traitors
to our country, false to our oaths-false, in I
deed to the primary clause of the oath we |
are now dlseussing-to oppose such ncgo- |
tlatl0ns. We cannot consent to swear at |
the ballot-boX a war Of determination against |
our countrymen and kindred, or to prolong
by our opposition for single day after It
can be brought to TN honorable and lawful |
conclusion, a contest tho most sanguinary
and ruinous that hasFcourged mankind.
You will not have forgotten that in the
month of July last you issued the following
proclamation: ..u''
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
-, WAsHINGTCN, July lS, 1864.
10 WHOM 1T MAY CONCERS: f'T
Amy proposition which embraces the re-
storatlon Of peace, the integrity of the whole |
Union, AND THE ABANDONMENT OF |
SLAVERY, and which comes by and with
authority Lhat can cntlIrn thn ar,1i ,,1.,1r