The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-07-15
Frnm ihs Atlanta Era. Inlr 18th
Gov. JohnsOn's Speech at Olty Hal

From The Atlanta Era, July 18th.
Gov. JOhnsOn's Speech at city Hall.
On Monday evening at s o'clock a
large crowd assembled at City Hall, TO
listen to an address from Hon. James
johnson, Provisional Governor Of GeOr-
gia.
Prefacing his speech with only few
preliminary remarks, he at once pro-
oeeded to the point, by stating that ne
had been appointed by the President
Provisional Governor of the State of
Georgia, for the purpose Of restoring
civil law and order. The people of the
State had no civil government and
we're under the control Of the United
States military authorities. ANY griev-
ance committed upon private or public
interests must be redressed through
the military authorities of the country.
Gov. johnson desired TO kaow VINO, in
the large assembly present dld not
prefer civil to military government
he had been appointed Provisional
Governor Of the State in order to take
steps to re-establish q civil government
In order to establish this important re-
suit, the people must come forward,
and By taking the required oath, pre-
pare themselves for qualified voters.
| In them alone the poTer resided g re-
establish law and order. President
johnson nor himself had the power
without the aid of the people Ia restore
Georgia to her former relations In
order to facilitate the reorganization
of the State, and the re-establishment
of civil law, the people must come for
ward promptly and take the amnesty
oath as set forth in President John
sons proclamation Of the 29th May,
| 1865. To enable the people to 40 this,
the President would offer every facility
to them within his power. Any com
missioned officer of the United States
was authorized to administer the oath;
and he had himself been authorized
I by the Secretary of War, if it became
necessary, 70 nave a commissioned ON
Ger detailed TO 90 to every county IT
the State and have the oath properly
administered.
But it would not become necessary
for him to exercise the poweri as the
| United States officers were eYerywheTe
willing to do their duty in this respect
without the necessity Of detail. Atl
the people who did not come under the
list of accepted classes, would be re
ouired TO take this oath before they
could have extended TO them pardon
I end amnesty, and become qualified a.
voters. They must haYe E certified
copy Of the oath given 10 them after II
was properly administered, and the
original would be sent to the proper de
psTtrnent at Washington, where Il
would be filed for preservation. Those
belonging 70 the excepted classes ais'
bad 10 take the oath, and the origina
affidavit was furnished them instead oil
, E certified copy. If any one Of the ex
ceptcd classes, after isking the oath
desired q special pardon aad amnesty
il was necessary for him 10 forwar'
, 10 the President st Washington writ
! ten statement Of the facts in his case
+ with the proper evidence in bis behalf
, with q COPY Of the original affidavit al
!. tached The President desired TO ex
/ 4 ttn4 NAfulA. IL ID 49, 49, =.
1 deserved. Mercy wss divine attribute
and should be extended wheuit could
:. 70 al parties, without detFiment 70 ~
+ cause of the United State 4nsae
i vas also divine attribute, and must D
3 meted out in all cases where paFiie
have bssn GEhtine agAilst The author
a Is Of the United States, and stlil Per
4 sist in rebellion against the Govern
E ment For himself, though be had bee
{ denounced for his sentiments, AID So
. fered 10 some extent the oppression Il
/, dent to a high state OF puolis iee s
!, against him, yet be wss disposed 70 bur u
. the past IN oblivion, and use al %
e 1lesas within bis power Consistent w
\ q proper dignity and the recurrence
B. of Justice 10 obtain pardon Tor tho'
r Who csme within the excepted classs
y In this connection, the speaker Sl.l. :
le that perhaps some might o9le0s !
10 sskins the oath, Tor the reason "a
D they sould be required 70 swear Az
st their slaye property. So Tar g =
ID question Of slavery was concerned,
q vac useless 70 urge objections OF -
"a kind; Is the institution, il net slreeo
extinct soon would be by CONSTITUTES