Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1866-05-22
6erenade to Gov. Brownlow.
REJOICING OVER THE FRANCHISE Law
SPEECH BY TIE GOVERNOR.

At nine o'clock Thursday night q
party OF gentlemen, comprising the
Union Senators and Representatives
and number of citizens, went with
a band of music TO the residence OF
Hon. j. Fletcher. TO exchange con-
gratulations over the passage OF the
Franchise Bill, After the playing OF
national airs, Governor Brownlow
was called for. He responded in the
following words:
GENTLEMEN | thank you for this
serenade and complimentary call.
take it that you expect in return a
speech, and as this is an age OF
speech making, and there are sever
al gentlemen here accustomed to
public speaking, you will surely not
be disappointed. If the President Of
the United States is allowed TO
average one speech day the year
round, certainly the Governor of a
reconstructed State has right to be
heard once month. / am in no
condition physically for speaking, as
you are aware, and as | know it is
sentiment and principle that you
look to, shall define my position
Enthusiastically with out any effort at
oratory. The passage of the Fran
chise bill by the Senate today is
doubtless the cause Of your assem-
bling here. | congratulate you and
the country on the passage Of that
measure by more than a two thirds
vote in the Senate. The law impo-
SEES on me the responsible task of
commissioning man for each county
10 register voters and carry out the
provisions Of the law. | shall en-
deavor to select men who are un
questionably loyal, firm, determined,
brave and incorruptible; for | may
disguise the fact that Nashville and
Memphis will not scruple to raise
larGr sums of money to bride the
registering officer. Bnt short time
since | was visited by Tennessee
officer in an Arkansas rebel regi-
ment, who told me that the rebels
had no right to complain of the
Franchise Bill /; that he submitted to
it cheerfully, and it was within his
personal knowledge that if the Con
federates had achieved their indie
pendence, it was -their.-puEpose to
disfranchise every Union man in the
South. 1t is idle to talk about
the act Of DISTINGUISHING rebels being
a radical measure, inangurated by
Sumner and Stevens at Washington.
II is the time honored doctrine and
practice Of the fathers Of the revolu-
ton, who, at the close of that event
full struggle, disfranchised the tories
of that day, who answer to the bells
of our day. Lsud cheering The
same was done, if | mistake not,
by the legislatures Of Virginia, North
Carolina, and even South Carlna.-
Upon the platform, however, for the
first time since the rebellion was be-
gun, we have all got together. Rad-
Gals, Conservatives, Copperheads.
weak kneed Union men, and rebels.
We Radicals are all for the franchise
law, and the other classes named are
all for Johnson, and it is not to pre-
sumed that any would be for John
son and not for his doctrines, and
we all know that he inaugurated the
doctrine in Tennessee of disfranchi-
sing rebels. Among his last uttcran-
ces before he left here, some thirteen
months ago, he declared that if there
were but five thousand loyal men in
Tennessee, they should control the
State, and all the time that this
measure has been pending, he has
been represented by those who have
had frequent interviews with him as
wanting the Legislature to hurryIup
the franchise law. We are Therefore
upon his platform, and hope to pre-
sent not only five thousand, but ten
times five thousand loyal men 20
govern the State. Let us, then ore
and all, take our stand upon the
Presidents platform, of governing
the State with loyal men, making
treason odious and furnishing trail
tors. Upon this platform ] took my
stand long since, and here ] still
stand, and upon this line intend to
to fight it out, not only all summer,
but if it takes up the remainder of
my natural life. In this | am en-
couraged, knowing that all good and
true men abroad, including the most
talented, patriotic and loyal Con-
gress which ever assembled in Wash
ington. Loud cheers One word
to the large numbers of members of
the Legislature who surround me,
and | am done.
Your action, in the loyal States is
looked to with as deep interest as
the action of Congress. You have
acted noble part in expelling from
your body boilers, dsorganizers and
rebels. Follow up the good work
you have commenced by the pas
sage of all necessary measures, and
you will have the approval Of your
constituents, of all good men abroad,
and of your own consciences. The
Governor retired amid loud cheering
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ma The Chicarn Times (Conpar