Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-09-20
To the People Of the State Of Ten
nRSSpp

Through the columns Of the knOXvllle wing OF
August sd, am informed of the proceedings Of q
nu6c me citing in the 4th civil district Of Knox eoun
to on Saturday Aug 18th; and in the Wing Of Sept.
Sfb see the proceedings of similar meeting held
at the Court House on Saturday, Sept. ID.
The object of these meetings IS the same VIZ 70
exnress sense of dissatisfaction with my vote on
the F,aehiss bill at the last session Of the Legsla-
ture and to request the resignation OF my seat in
the House of Representatives on account Of that
vote.
In reply to those gentlemen, allow me say, that
when the bill referred to came before the Legisla-
ture for its action, believing as did, that it
unconstitutional unnecessary, lmpoltc and unwlse,
nv oath of office and my earnest desire to promote
the interests, peace and prosperity Of Tennessee
compelled me to record my vote against It. Ny
vote on that occasion is also in exact accordance
with President Johnsons instructions to Governor
Holden of North CarolinG to allow the right Of sut-
frage to all who came forward and took the amnesty
oath, according to the Presidents proclamatlon.-
Nv opinion in regard to that subject remains un-
changed and feel consciousness Of rectltudo IN
| every motive that prompted my action
From the dogmatic expression OF these meetings,
am constrained to believe that the gentlemen COM
posing them are laborinS under a misrepresentation
of their rights in the premises III Is Prccseiy ss
much in their province to request or Gelnanq tne
resignation of any member from hldu4e OF west
Tennessee as it is to demand mine, because they
voted as much for them as for myself; and those N
every county in the State voted as much Tor me as
did those who now demand my resignation
The circumstances under which the members Of
this Legislature elected were OhlAlO1s anu Pc
| cuar The civil government Of the State dlsorgan-
lied bv the adherents of the late wicked rebellion
had for long time ceased its functions ms gov
eminent had to be re-organized. To do so by the
ordinary means and mode Of election was ausO4uIeIy
impractiCable on account Of the presence OF SImel
bands of rebel marauders and guerrlllas IN many OF
the counties. 1t was therefore determined 20 sooPI
the general ticket system, by which the candidates,
as YOU all know voted for by the legal voters
of the State at large and were therefore elected not
/ by county, but by the State. Inc people Of the
State then have the right to demand the reslgna-
ton of member but county or fraction Of coun-
! ty has not that right.
representative ought TO be controlled by the IN
terests and will of his constituents taken as com
munty, and when he regards their will ne IS true
| and faithful representative This claim TO nave
done in nv course in the last session Of the LegSa
ture l did not expect to please every individual IN
the State bv nv action nor did l allow myself to
consult personal preferences. Ny duty was PLAN
to do what commended itself TO my pest J9ugI1SnI
rs right for the interest of the State rs such tne
result of the recent elections in the State IN which
five or six out of eight Congressman were chosen
who entertain the same views Of the great questions
of the day that do, proves that my course Is APP
proved by the majority Of the people OF the oJaLG
notwithstanding the passage Of the franchise Dill
cannot therefore accedc TO request to resign rom
any one county; much less can entertain such &c
| quest from a small part Of county. Having the
honor to be chosen by the people Of the STATE TO serve
! them in this Legislature, L shall exercise my pes'
Judgment and discretion TO restore civil ORDER inc
authority of the courts peace, prosperity and happl
ness throughout the entire commonwealth IN DONG
this expect to be guided by the constitution OF the
State and of the United States and by what deem
the honor and best interests of Tennessee demands
In voting for the bill renting the State tax Tor
the years 1852 '63 and 81 was governed by NO
tives of which l never expect to be ashamed Al
Upper East Tennessee and portion OF Middle anc
: West Tennessee was held by rebel authority Inc
people had no money with which 70 pay IheI "a
o and nothing from which money could be reallzed
Under such circumstances it seemed emlnantly prop
er and lust that the Legislature should relieve th
people from the payment Of the State tax LOT tnos'
: wears and especially so when we consider the I'M
e meuse losses they had already sustained ana tn'
vast burtben of taxes thew have to bear It is scarcely
TO be supposed that those of US who voted Tor I'M
bill will meet with popular censurc on ITS account
5 All other action on my part IN TINS relation suo
= NIT TO the Judgment Of an enlightened people.
As presiding officer in the House of Representa-
tves in the Legislature of your State, it is sOurc
of proud satisfaction TO me to be able To say tina
: not one appeal was taken from my decision during
| the whole session; and hope you Will pardon tn
seeming egotism of the remark when say that Of
: no former occasion has the Speaker OF the House
Representatives in the Tennessee Legislature receIv
ed so candid and enthusiastic vote OF thanks a
was given to me at the conclusion Of the last sessloC
/. The gentlemen with whom l differed most Wldei
IS on the questions that before us for considers
n ton and action, without exception, when tn
e vote Of thanks was proposed expressed themselve
in the most hatterng terms towards me as an ONCE
and faithful representative. Mr. Mullins, one Of tn
Oldest members of the House. IN the course Of his Te
marks this resolution, among other things said
e No man pUrer in heart than Mr. HeIskeII has stoo
II upon this hOOT."
l. Mr. Wines, in the course Of his remarks on thl
, resolution, said: For the Speaker courtesy 10 m
n he has my special thanks But this resolution 81
presses the sentiments Of all for the fidelity and IN
partially of his decisions. Whatever faults he ma
! leaned to virtues side
y Mr. ArnelI, an eminent lawyer, gentleman {
attachments and scholarship, and the author Of tn
u Acknowledgement BILL said: "The resolution meet
my hearty concurrence, FGthlng needs to be adde
| or substracted. second the motion I
pass the resolution.
I | Such are the sentiments expressed by gentleme
| who were known as radical members Of the HOus
| and from whom l differed on many points. tn
IS whole scene On that occasion was pTe-euinenU
Is gratifying to me- because they knew my whole cours
/ and appreciated my motives; and no man anon
them did then, and no MAR can now, Justly impug
= my motives impeach my loyalty, or question N
= fidelity.
re In the State Of Virginia had long filed variol
= positions of public trust, and four several times WI
elected to represent the county in winch resided
the Legislature of that State and at the very tin
Il of my removal to Tennessee was member OF II
OF Virginia Legislature If ought was ever urge
s. against my course while acting in that relation,
II my integrity doubted, the intimation HI
% never reached me.
Since nv residence in Monroe county in tn
~ State for the space of thirty years, was uniform
% one Of their justices Of the peace, and member
y their county court and have also had the honor
III represent them in the Legislature Of Tennessee.
both these relations proud to say that my cOur
!. gave uniform and general satisfaction.
Is In these different positions and long terms OF pu
9d lie trust 1 have been guided and prompted by Il
OF best Judgment and pure motives striving always
u do my duty conscientousy unin4uenced by datere
g and unawed by demagogues.
In the full consciousness Of the rGCtItude and p
C. rty of my motives look back over my public II
ed without blush, and can submit my record to q
) strictest scrutiny Of enlightened world in pere
es confidence of its approval No emotion Of person
III prejudice, vindictiveness malice, has ever sway
y my Judgment or directed my course. Here
y Knox county, for the first time in my life, ObectiC
to and dissatisfaction with my course has been mao
Is by those whom l have attempted 10 serve. Or
rs single vote is made the ground Of complaint al
dissatisfaction, and furnishes the solitary reason
requesting my resignation At my sine Of life VIII
" motive could have for consulting ambition
~ counting popularity! In the midst Of revOlutlO
az turmoil, confusion and strife, would man, who
4. head Is already white, whose frame Is bowed, al
rs whose steps tOtter under the infrmity Of old age
81 who had maintained his loyalty with unimPeaehab
It. integrity through the most gigantic rebellion and u
or fcrcest and most cruel civil war that saine
ne the earth with human blOOd-then upon the SUI
u preston Of that revolt when the insurgents naa a
down their arms, would feeble, decEPg1 Oh M
be so blinded by ambition as to turn MS DacA up
his principles trample the record oil AZ pss Aistol
in the dirt violate his solemn oath and seek PoAt