Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-11-03
EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. %, 1868
To Mcssrs. VIM. B. Campbell, Thomas A. r.
Nelson James j. p Carter, John Wilson,
A. Blissard, Henry Cooper, Bailie PeytOn,
John l.. Elliott, Emerson Etheridge, and
John d. Pennyman
GENTLEMEN: On the 18th day of this month,
as you remember, printed paper with a few
manuscript interineations, called protest,
with your names appended thereto, and ac-
companied by another printed paper purport-
ing to be proclamation by Andrew Johnson,
Military Governor of Tennessee, and also a
manuscript paper, purpOrting to be the eX-
tracts from the code of Tennessee was laid
before me. The protest, proclamation and
extracts are respectively as follows: (The
protest is here recited, and also the procla-
nation of Gov. Johnson, dated September
3Oth, to which it refers, together with list
of counties in East, Middle and West Ten
neSsce. Also extracts from the code of Ten
ncSsce, in relation to electors of Presidents
and Vice Presidents, qualifications and places
OF holding elections, and officers of popular
elections. The President then says.)
At the time these papers were presented,
MS before stated, | had never seen either of
them, nor heard of the subject to which they
relate, except in general way, only one day
ing whatever upon the subject has passed
between Gov. Johnson, or any one else CON
nected with the proclamation, and myself
Since receiving the papers, as stated [ have
given the subject such brief consideration as
| have been able to do in the midst of so
many pressing public duties My conviction
is that | can have nothing to do with the
matter either to sustain the plan as the Con
vcntion and Gov. Johnson have initiated it,
or revoke or modify it as you demand. By
the Constitution and laws, Presidents are
charged with no duty in the conduct of the
Presidential election in any State, nor do |
in this case perceive any military reason for
his interference.
In this matter 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. In no proper
sense can it be considered other than an IN
dependent movement of at least a portion of
the loyal people of Tennessee. | do not
perceive in the plan any menace, or violence;
or coercion toward any one. Gov. Johnson,
like any other loyal citizen of Tennessee, has
a right to favor any political plan he chooses,
and as military Governor it is his duty to
keep peace among and FOR the loyal people
of the State.
l cannot discern that by this plan he pur-
poses any more: but you object to the plan.
Leaving it alone will be your perfect security
against it, 1t is not proposed to force you
into it. Do as you please on your own ac-
count, peacefully and legally. GOV. Johnson
will not modest you, but will protect you
against violence so far as in his power. |
presume that the conducting Of Presiden-
tial election in Tennessee, in accordance with
the old code, is not now possible.
1t is scarcely necessary to add that if any
election shall be held, and any votes cast in
the State of Tennessee for President and
Vice President of the United States, it will
belong, not to military agents, nor yet to the
Executive Department, but exclusively to
another department of the Government, tC
determine whether they are entitled to be
counted in conformance with the Constitution
and Laws of the United States. Except it be
to give protection against violence, de-
cline to interfere in anything with any presi
Dental election.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.