Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-27

GOVERNOR BRowNLow has the consolation Of
knowing that the abuse and invectve poured upon
him are not more violent, nor more frequent than
that which was bestowed upon his predecessor the
Military Governor of Tennessee And it is worthy
of note that the abuse in both instances can be
traced in most cases. TO the same source There are
exceptions we admit, but they are few. The politi
rians who called Andrew johnson despOt, usurper,
tyrant and traitor, the iTOn-hearted Oppressor Of
Tennessee, have very generally transferred these
epthets to the head of his successor in the Guberna
tonal chair. The Parson receives the same treat
ment at their hands that the Tailor did in 1862,
'g3-64. If the present Governor Of Tennessee is
displeasing to a large number Of its inhabitants
was his predecessor. True Andrew johnson Is now
Landed by some who then execrated him, and the
same persons denounce his successor, but we sus-
pect that If the prospects of the Contederacy were
as bright now, as they We're in 1862, that would
again see the Parson and the Tailor classed in
the same category. The question naturally comes
up, What is the reason Of this abuse? Of what
outrage have the Military Governor and the Cover
nor elect of this State been guilty? Gov. johnson
prescribed test oath which excluded from the polls
a majority Of those who had been in the rebellion,
and Gov. Brownlow gave the influence Of his ap-
probation to a Franchise law, passed by the Legis
lature which had the same effect. Gov. OhnsOn on
several occasions addressed the COlored people, and
proclaimed their freedom greatly to the Chagrln and
disgust of the enemies Of the Government, while
Gov Brownlow has only carried out the esta blshed
policy of freedom. GovJ ohnson levied ssments
upon wealthy persons who were partisans of the re-
bellion for the relief of the poor, but Gov. Brown
low has done nothing of the kind. Gov. johnson
refused to commission an officer elected by the peo
pie, on the ground of his disloyalty, and commits
stoned his defeated competitor while Gov. Brown
low has also refused to commission disloyal officers
elect The reason in both cases was the same that
persons unfriendy to the Government are not.prop-
er officers to carry out its policy 80 lar as their Oh
fetal acts are concerned there not one OF seeming
strctness severity in the administration Of the
latter which has not its precedent in that of the for
mer, while with respect to personal clemency and
indulgence the present Governor IS surely not lack
ing. When We survey the whole political field and
recall the events of the past three years in this State
we cannot believe that Andrew johnson, out OF the
Presidential chair succeeded by Nallandlgham
Democrat, and again a candidate for Governor be-
fore the people of Tennessee would receive any more
favor at the hands of his old assaiants than he did
IN 1862. His successor has done nothing to render
himself unacceptable to the politicians OF Iennes-
see save that he has offered uniform opposition to
the revival of the measures and the restoration OF
the partzans who dragged Tennessee into rebellion,
at the heels of Isham G. Harris consplTator, rebel
and robber, and has declared his determination to
adhere to the national party which suppressed the
rebellion and now controls the nation Let the peo-
pie remember that the same newspapers which as
sail Gov. Brownlow assaulted Is predecessor no less
bitterly and that he has the unity Of every recon-
structed rebel organ in the State.