The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-06-05
Important Proclamation by Governor
BrOWulOw.

whereas number Of highly respected and influential
ssens Of Eastern Tennessee have memoriazcd the Ex
soutve 70 this proclamation calling upon returning
federal soldiers and citizens in that section OF the State
70 cease, "under sense OF personal political wrongs,
the inf con of violence upon the persons OF
others, who gympathized with the late rebellion and
also threats persons who have returned
corded 10 the armies OF Lee and Johnston - aud whereas
the memoalsts represent that In several instances at
senps have been made to take the lives OF such persons
u who are understood, while remaining at home,
" have been unfnendiy to the Union; and further,
hey call for al good citizens to refrain from acts Of
lAwless and personal violence
Now, therefore, I, Will G. Brownow, Governor Of
Tennessee do issue this my proclamation, calling upon
,he civil magstracy and the courts to repress all i'm
proper Indulgence Of private political revenge and
call upon aggreved citizens 10 apply for the redress OF
their wrongs and the punishment Of any parties who
have personally injured them and are guilty Of offences
against the State nation 20 the civil courts which
open in most parts Of the section where these out
shislded by corruptons Of civil Judicial ocers
Justice 70 the injured be refused by the courts, win
nom taking their remedies into their hands.
When the federal soldiers who survive, after an alb
Of three years hard 6ghtng return to their homes
from which they were driven, and find their homes desc
nsed find that their wives and children have sunk into
poverty and starvation, into unmey graves or find
Mem in rags and sickness crs,ng for breadwhen these
van and weary men, many OF them themselves crippled
for fe reduced In health, with their constitutions
broken and their prospects in life blasted am not
among those who would their vengeance against
thcir oppressors long their veng ance Is kept
within reasonable bounds and sought through legitimate
Who were themselves unwilling AGENTS, should
BE- treated with charitable consideration, and as
20 them we should drown the recolections
the past in the dark Of oblivion While those
eadrs who notified Union men, at the beginning OF the
rebellion that but party could hereafter live Ia East
Tennessee and drove them from their homes, would
oct wisely to quietly and forever withdraw from the
country.
Intelligent influential men OF wealth who nstigated
1hs rebellion-who seized and imprisoned Union men,
and them by hundreds and honsands to the grave
and then their work OF lnfamy, deprived their
~ nil hnd
lection and lfe and merit the vgOrois and undying
opposition OF loyal Still they must be pun
shed in a legitimate way And IN the judgment OF
BY many Of our loyal citizens TO shield from justice
the chief actors In these revolving Is the cause OF
serious alarm Lenency without distinction between
loyalty ana treason II certain TO subvert the gov
eminent than s rebellion itself Clemcncy at the sacri
fce OF justice is the abandonment OF government aud
She overthrow OF law and order The treason Of tho
rebellion ~ crime against law, liberty and humanity.
They who guilty Of II have forfeited all rights 10
every rebel prison every Union mans grave unite with
violated law and demand the penalty, and the courts
do not administer II an outraged people will
call upon all rebel robbers bustwhackcrs and puerl-
las TO their wicked ways and baako themselves to
honest pursuits.
call upon all rebels who have stolen horses mules
cattle and other property, and who have committed
other outragcs upon Union Union families forth
with " restore the stolen property 10 Ms true owners
and make rparson all loyal for TIN wrongs they
nave done them and their oppressed famii,v
can upon those who have carried on ihe money,
archives and property Of the State and tho property OF
e railroad companies 20 forthwith returr ibey took
away, or these offenders shall have ret while am IN
ONCE And warn all who refuse 10 rettun THIS
properly or make lst reparaton, 10 leave tho SiSe OF
refnain out Of her borders
Ana call upon an returning rebel soldiers 10 cease
Their threats Of violence such that they not wlnp
-ed and are oGy resting with puEpose ~ sight agas