The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-02-08
NO. 4S.
LETTER FROM GOV. BROWNLOW.
The Admission of Tennessee Asked For.
His Opinion of Southern Rsbeis.'
Nashville Ian 1h 12f

| NaSHFIIle, Jan. Id 1000.
The Hon. SCHUYLER CoLFAx:
DEAR Sir: Your letter of the 9th
inst. was received last evening, and I am
glad to have an opportunity to set myself
right, as it regards the admission of the
Tennessee delegations to their SEATS
lou understand me correctly, and repres-
ent me properly. am decidedly in favor
of admitting the Tennessee delegation,
and have so expressed myself in all my
private and public letters, as we'll as IN
my messages to the Legislature.
Tennessee occupies different and bet
ter position than any of the States that
participated in the Rebellion and her
Representatives should not be placed on
the same footing with those of Virginia,
the Carolinas, Alabama, George, Florida,
Mississippi, &c. Tennessee amended her
Constitution, declared her slaves free,
elected loyal Governor and Legislature
under the administration of the lamented
Lincoln ; and as tribute to his memory,
the State ought to be restored to the T.
Mon. The Tennessee delegates, as a
whole, are loyal; can take the required
cath, and would, if in their seats, add to
the strength of the Union party. Ten
nessee was allowed to furnish the eandi-
date for the Vice Presidency on the Re-
publican ticket, and now furnishes the
President. Tennessee continued to be
partially represented in both branches of
Congress fOr two years after the war was
commenced, and she furnished, in all,
50, 900 soldiers for the Union armies
The Tennesse Representatives ought to
be admitted as an act of Justice to the
loyal Tennesseeans who stood by the
country all through the Rebellion, and as
a tribute to the joint labors of Messrs.
Lincoln and johnson in restoring the
State to the Union. Finally, they ought
to be admitted as means Of preventing
. rupture between Congress and the
President, which, for the sake of the
country, ought to be avoided The Pres
dent ought to be satisfied with the ad
mission Of the Tennessee delegates to
their seats, and l have no doubt would
BE-
Standing upon different footing al
together, it does not follow that if the
Fennesseeans are admitted, the Repre-
entatives from other States lately in Re-
'elllon must come in also Not man
south of Tennessee should be admitted
Until those States manifest less of the
pirlt OF rebellion, and elect more 10y
] set of men, and men who can take the
test oath, which but few of
hese elected can do.
If the removal Of the Federal troops
rom Tennessee must necessarily follow
ipon the admission Of our Congressional
delegation to their seats, why, then, and
n that case, the loyal men OF Tennessee
eg to be without representatives in Con-
ress. But our members can be admit
ed, and military force retained sufficient
o govern and control the rebellion. [
ell you, and through you, all whom it
nay concern, that without a law to dis
ranehise Rebels, and a force to carry out
he provisions of that law, this State will
'ass into the hands of the Rebels, and
errible state of affairs is bound to follow.
Jnion men will be driven from the State,
orced to sacrifice what they have, and
eek homes elsewhere. And yet, Ten
iessee is in a much better condition than
ny Of the other reyolted States, and af-
ords stronger loyal population.
Those who suppose the South is Gre
onstructed," j" and that her people cheer
ully receipt the results of the war. are
earfully deceived The whole South is
ull Of the spirit of rebellion, and the peo-
lie are growing more bitter and insolent
very day. Rebel newspapers are SPRING
ng up all over the South, and speaking
ut in terms of bitterness and reproach a
,ainst the Government of the United
states. These papers lead the people,
nd at the same time reflect their senti-
nents and feelings. OF the twenty.one
'apers in Tennessee, fourteen are decide
lily Rebel, Outspokcn and undisguised.
omc Of them pretending to acquiesce in
he existing state Of affairs. In all tho
acancies occurring in our Legislatures
en- with our Franchise Law in force, Re.
els are invariably returned, aud in some
Instances Rebel officers, limping from
rounds received in battle, fighting a
ainst the United States forces And
ct, tell you that Tennessee is in bet
er condition than any other reyolted
,tate
Others will give you a more favorable
ccount cannot in justice to myself
nd the truth. | think know the South
IN people. have lived 5S years in the
South, of choice, and two at the North,
f necessity.
have the honor 10 be,
Very truly, &C.,
". 6. BROWNLOW, Governor, &C.