Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-10-13


lowing extract from the report of its proceedings
on the second day Of its session, (Sept 6, 1864 y
Mr. D. b. THOMAS offered the following resolutions
Rssloed That the Convention has met for the
anraton of the State Government and not as meeting
for the ratification OF Presidential candidates.
ed That relying upon just cause and the guidance
Of good Providence we are willing TO submit the Presi-
dental vote to the wisdom Of the people giving all truly
loyal men opportunity to vote they may proper
"A motion made to lay the resolutions on the
table.
Mr. THOMAS asked leave to explain bis object in in
Producing the resolutions which was refused
"The motion to lay on the table was then carried.
Mr. THOMAS rose and said that he under the ap-
prehenson that the Convention had assembled for other
purposes He then asked leave for himself and other de-
egates to withdraw heywere not able to represent
their constituents
capt DRIVER moved that all who wished TO retire be
not only invited, but requested to withdraw
"Co BYRD thought if secessonsts were in this Con
venton they ought to be put OUT and, Cd dn them he
Mr. THOMAS again rose. He said he was the last man
in this Capitol to make speech against the ordinance Of
secession before it's passage and since that time he bad
rsked his bfs and again carrying TO
West Tennesseehad been bushwhacked and shot at in
Vulnerable times He then referred to the action of the
Convention in cutting off free speech and said he would
have nothing more to do with it.
In company with several other delegates no then left
the room.
Mr. CAMPBELL regretted what bad happened. He
had advocated calmness and moderation
After being thus "purged' Of the "secession
element"-(th is, of the loyal men who believe
in the Constitution and are ready to defend ito
the /" Constituent Assembly seems to have been
of one mind. Men like one Col Houck, who de-
cared that q whenever ! see constitutional man
put him down as secessionist," and men like
one Col Byrd, who patriotcally and forcbly aver
red that " he did not like to hear men talk about
the Constitution, when they knew it was favoring
the G. id, G-d-forsaken id scoundrels and
rebels" seem to have had it all their own way.
As the result of their deliberations the amiable
and pleasing patriots composing this "delibera-
tive body came to the following conclusion, ex-
pressed in the shape of resolution
Resoioed, That the people ef Tennessee who now
and have been attached to the National Union do hold an
election for President and Vice President in the ensuing
election in November"
So it will be seen that the Convention " DIV
ed, as Col. Byrd elegantly expressed it, "to take
part in this dog fight"
1t was further "resolved that the qualified
voters in such election should be exclusively as
follows:
Free white men, twentyone years of age citizens of
the United States and for six months previous to the
election citizens of the State Of Tennessee:
g" All who have voluntarily borne in the service
Of the United States during the present war; and who
either in the service have been honorsby discharged.
"2 All the known active friends Of the Government OF
the United States In each county.
1t was also "resolved" that "thc citizen elec-
tors shall at least fifteen days before the election
register their names with agent to be appointed
for that purpose, and no citizen not thus regis
tered shall be allowed to vote"
To this was added that each voter, before de-
posting his vote, shall be required to take and
subscribe the following oath, viz:
q solemnly that will henoeforth support the
Constitution of the United States and defend it against the
assaults OF all enemies that active friend Of the
Government the United States and the enemy OF the
called Confederate States that ardenty desire the
suppression Of the present rebellion against the Govern
OF the United States; that sincerely rejoice in the
triumph of the armies and naves Of the United States,
and in the defeat ard overthrow of the armies navies and
all armed combinations in the interest OF the socsed
Confederate States that iOH cordially oppose all armis-
icss or negotiations for peace ,cih rebels arms until the
Constitution the United States and all tacS and pr0ctamd-
ions made pursuance thereof shall be established all
The people Of ersry State and Territory embraced loin he
National Union and that will heartily aid and assist
the loyal people hafersr adopted J0r
The attainment Of these ends and, further, that take this
oath freely and voluntarily and without mental reservation
So help me God"
This test OATH it will be seen, restricts the right
VI W pCioOuo WIZ Will sWCai COiuiahy w
oppose all negotiations for peace with rebels in
arms" and who will further swear to support the
"loyal people" IN all measures lchateuer that may
be adapted torm The attainment Of the specified e.ds it
being, Of course understood that only the Admins
tration and its adherents 'loyal people" Andts
on the heels of this mass meeting and in pursuance
of these resolutions" that Andrew johnson, the
Military Governor of Tennessee and the Republi-
can candidate for tho Vice Presidency of the Uni
ted States, has issued proclamation, under date
of the 30th ultimo just ten days ago, in which he
declares follows:
whereas it appears from the proceedings Of said Con.
venton that the Military Governor Of the State Of Ten
requested TO execute the foregoing resolutions IN
such he may think best subserves the interests
Of the Government;
"And whereas Andrew johnson, Military Governor OF
the State Of Tennessee being anxious to cooperate with
the loyal people Of the State and to encourage them n s
laudabe efforts to restore the State TO law aud order
again to the ballot box against the contamna
ons Of by every reasonable restraint that be
thrown around h do therefore order and direct that
election for President and Vice President Of the United
States America be opened and held at the county seat
or other suitable place 10 every county, in the State Of
Tennessee on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
the month of November next, at which all citizens and
soldiers being free white men, twenty years q age,
citizens of the United States and for months prior
the election citizens of the State of Tennessee ho hapc
qualified hemsoges by registration and cho take the oath
prescribed an the foregoing resolutions shall be entitled to
0oe unless sad oath shall be dsproyed by other testi