Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-04-19
Knoxville, Tennessee, April 10, 1865.

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MESSAGE OF
Governor BrOwnlOw TO the Legislature
OF Tennessee.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House Of Representatives
In accordance with long established custom, and
in obedience 10 the requirements OF the Constitution
it becomes my duty to communicate to the LegSla,
ture the condition Of the State and to recommend
for their consideration such matters as ] may deem
expedient,
THANKSGIVING
When we contemplate the distracted condition Of
our country the four dreadful years of trial through
We have passed and the manner in which it has
been preserved, our minds naturally turn TO Him
whose care has been over us who has protectSd and
preserved us through scenes Of blood and carnage,
unprecedented in the history Of wars. For the
preservation of our lives, and certain remnants of
our property for the care and protection of Provi
dence oyer those who have gone forth to BATTLE and
are still rskng their lives in defense of the princ-
piles upon which our happiness and property rest (;
for life health food and rament, for our safe con-
duct through untold changes, by a kind Providence;
for the prospect of the restoration Of law and order
in our distracted State; for the CLEAN of light look
ing to peace, now breaking through the clouds that
have enveoped for the four years past for these
and numerous other blessings of which we have
been the recipients, let u.s. in all humility and sin
cerity, render thanks TO Almighty God, and let us
earnestly implore a continuance Of His favor.
SECESSION.
Secession is an abomnation that | cannot too
strongly condemn, and one that your cannot legis-
late against with too much severity. What has it
done for our country in the space Of four years p
7 h,., a1 M civil vyad
our commerce. destroyed our agricultural pursuits,
eupended the whole trade and business of our coun.
try, lessened the value of our property, destroyed
many of tho pursuits Of life and has involved the
sonth In irretrieyable bankruptcy and ruin.
.-s DEVASTATION.
What has it done for Tennessee? II has formed
,dious and unconstitutional military leagues passed
military bills, and inaugurated system OF oppres-
hive taxation, without consulting the people, and
then, in mockery of a free election, has required
Them by their votes to sanction Its usurpaton at the
noint OF the bayonet, under the penalty of lmpris-
bnmsnt and DEATH II has offered a premium for
crime, in ordering the discharge Of culprits from
prison on condition that they would enter the rebel
army and in recommending the judges to hold no
courts for the trial of offenders. 1t has stained our
statute book with the repudiaton OF honest North
brn debts, and has palpably violated the Constitu-
lion. by attempting through its unlawful extension,
I'd laws making it treason to say or do anything in
favor of the Government of the United States, or
Iagainst the so-caled Confederate States. 1t has
Iprostrated and overthrown the freedom of speech
ind of the press it has involved the whole South
bn war whose success is now proven to be utterly
hopeless, and which, ere another year rolls round,
must lead to the ruin of the common people It's
bigoted, murderous and intolerant spirit has SUBJ
ected the peopleof Tennessee to many grievances.
Our reople have been arrested and imprisoned; our
homes have been rudely entered and shamefully pill
lagod; our families have been subjected to insults,
pur women and children have been TIED up and
scourged or shot by rut6an sodiery; our towns
have been plaged; our citizens have been robbed
bf their horses, mules grain and meat and many of
Them assassnated and murdered.
Hundreds, YES, thousands Of our young men, mid
hle aged and old men, have been driven from our
State, and compelled to enter the Federal army in
strange regiments, and their bones now lie bleach
Ing upon the many batte-felds of the South and
West and all this because our people were true to
he traditions of their fathers, and refused to wor
ship rebel gods And to the honor of the people be
Il known, that more regiments to-day swell the
humber Of the armies Of the Union than there are
living traitors in the ranks of the enemy.
THE UNION MARTYRS.
In this proud capital of the Volunteer State"
here have been thousands Of Union refugees, men,
Etarving; great many are here still. They have
bed from the wicked and murderous guerrillas, af-
er being robbed of everything they possessed
rhey have lived in camps or tents, by fires in the
woods have dragged out miserable existence for
lime, and died among strangers. Hundreds have
suffered from actual want Of necessary food shelter
Ind clothing, while many residences in this rebel
ious city have been occupied by the families of those
who were fighting against their country, or being
ten rebels and home traitors, have fled within the
rebel lines. These families have remained here pro-
kected, and have welded an over-ruling social in
hucnce. Many of them are wealthy, and live in
Ease and comfort They have busted themselves in
giving information to the enemy, in carrying deli,
eacies 10 rebel prisoners who have been confined
here for their crimes and treason And it is stated
Upon undoubted authority and the fact is notorious
n this capital that the dsioyal families never con-
krbuted in the slightest degree TO the relief of the
poor and distressed Union women and children or
disabled soldiers thrown upon this population by
he operations of the war state these facts, which
may have the appearance OF personal and local
5cbsracter, that you may know how TO shape your
touse when personal and local legislation is called
for.
SANgNpMENT TO THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
I have the honor TO submit to the General Assem-
bly Of the State Of Tennessee, copy OF joint res.
olution Of Congress, passed by vote Of twothlrds
X0I etCn uOusc, eHtitPu TteOIutiOn suohitt5
the Legislatures Of the several States proposition
so amend the Constitution of the United States"
(which Is in the following words.
"Resol,ed by the Senate and House of Representa-
kires of the United Stales in Congress Assembled,
| ltwo-thirds of both houses concurring therein,)
rhat the following article be proposed to the Legis.
atures of the several States as an amendment TO the
Tonsttution Of the United States which, when rat
f1fed BY the Legislatures of thrce-fourths of said
Estates Shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as
Epart Of said Constitution, namely
4 ARTICLE XIII.
rsection !. Neither slavery nor involuntary SER
titude, except a. punishment for crime, whereof
he party shall have been duly convicted, shall cr-