Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-09-21
tn. Platform Of the Tennessee Con-

| HBNTLBMEN; great deal mas been snid
about your political opinions, since your latc
election to the Congress Of the United States.
Many have insisted that you arc opposed to
the administration of President Johnson and
in fact hostile to the Government; and am
sure that, outside of your own State espe.
cially, your true position Is not known.
Believing that it is due to the friends of
the Government everywhere, as well as to
yourselves and the people you represent, that
your opinions and wishes in the promises
should be made known; and being well sat
isfed, as am, of your unninching loyalty
and unainching devotion to our Govern.
ment, exhibited during the terrible war
waged for its preservation, l respectfully re-
quest that you answer this note, defining
your position, and giving permission that
your reply may be published
i am gentlemen, very respectfully, &C.,
LOWELL II. ROUSSEAU.
NASHVILLE, TsSS.,I
September l6, 1855. !
Major General RoUSS,dU:
DEAR Sin: Your note Of the 18th Septem.
Der has just been received by US, and we
hasten to answer il.
We are gratiRcd at having the opportunity
afforded US of disabusing tho minds of those
whO insist that we are opposed to the Admin
inistration of President johnson, and, in
| TACT, hostile to the Government.
Elevated by the confidence of generous
constituency to seats in the Congress of the
United States, from one of the States hereto.
fore in rebellion we recognize the right Of the
people of the loyal States to canvass our
views and obtain from us public expression
of them.
We therefore say to you that we arc not
now, and never have been, hostile to the
| Government of the United States. At all
times, and under all circumstances, when it
was proper for us so to do, we have uniformly,
openly, and fearlessly opposed the rebellion,
and unhesitatingly expressed our determine.
tiOn to maintain the Government of the Uni
ted States against the rebels in arms
This with us has been ne recent convic.
tion. 1t has not originated with the over
throw Of the rebellion and the triumph of
the Federal armies. 1t has been our faith
ut all times, even when the hour of our ma
tional destiny has been darkest.
We re-affirm it to-day only to satisfy those
who may have been honestly misled by the
designing.
However much we may have differed with
some Of our Union friends on certain ques-
tions of policy growing out of the war and
the restoration of civil government in the
State, We have never hesitatcd to give to the
Government Of the United States our hearty
support, and always advocated the policy of
furnishing to the Administration all the men
and money necessary for the suppression of
| the rebellion.
Thus we havo spoken and acted-the
avowed supporters Of our Government-our
people-Our natIonality-of the United
States.
We have uniformly and unhesitatingly
supported the Administration of Andrew
johnson, as far as developed, and especially
with regard to the reconciliation of the States
declared to be in rebellion and insurrec.
| tion, and their restoration to their former
relations with the Federal Government.
We do this because we believe his policy Is
right, and founded upon broad principles of
practical craftsmanship.
Under the trying circumstances that sur.
round him, we believe that he is doing every
thing that can be done to make the people of
the United States once more free happy, and
prosperous. In this good work we wish him
God speed; and when we are admitted as
Representatives from the State of Tennessee
in the Congress of the United States, it will
afford us pleasure by our votes and speeches
to give him material aid in carrying out his
policy.
We do this with no desire to merit Execu-
tive favor. We are the representatives of
free, intelligent and loyal constituency and
we only demand to be recognized as such.
In the past political conflicts, previous to
the rebellion, we were identified with party
opposed to that of the President; but when
he proved by his course in regard to the
| Union of the States, that he loved his coun
try too we'll to betray it into tho hands of
| traitors, we came to his support.
In May, 1862, in public meeting of the |
loyal people of the State, at Nashville, We
pledged to him, as Military Governor of
Tennessee, our assistance. One of us had |
the honor of presiding over the meeting; an
other drafted and submitted the resolutions
that were adopted and tho other gave to
them his cordial support.
Hllis Excellency, the President, If asked, |
would do us the justice to say, that at all
times, when called upon, we have cheeriully
aided him by our cOunsels in the perform
ance of his duties as Military Governor.
We recognize the government of the State
of which Wm. q. Brownlow is Governor as
the State government. We believe the last
Legislature was and is a Legislature; and |
that all its acts are binding on the people, |
until declared void by the courts or repealed |
by subsequent legislation.
We recognize the fact of the destruction of |
the institution of slavery. We feel that it |
is the result of the rebellion. We acquiesce
in it.
Two Of u.s. as members of the Legislature. |
voted for the constitutional amendment abol. |
ishing slavery in all Of the States We did
so because we believed that its value was de- |
stroyed by the "iuexorable logic of events" |
and by the "fricton and abrasion of war;" |
and, besides, we were firmly convinced that
such legislation was necessary to harmoniZe
our State government with the policy Of the |
United States Government.
We have frankly stated to you, General
our views upon the propositions suggested |
For your unconditional endorsement of our
loyalty and devotion to the Government,
exhibited during the terrible war waged for
its preservation accept our thanks. We the
more highly appreciate it, because it comes
from one who has so often periled his life on
the battle-fields of the country, for its main
tenance and perpetuity.
We authorize you to make such use of this
communication as in your opinion may be
necessary.
With high regard, we remain, General
your friends. W b. CAMPBELL,
ID. i. THOMAS,
EDMUND COOPER.