The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-05-24
TgE sITUATroE III TENNESSEE.

THE sITUATIoE III TENNESSEE
Hon. CAVE JOHNSON, formerly Postmaster General
of the United States was recently elected orcpre-
sent three counties in the Tennessee Senate, but
was refused admission because of his aIfiation in
opinion With the Confederate cause. In cerd to
bis constituents, after cnumeratingthe measures of
wrong and oppression which are being fastened
upon that unfortunate people, he uses the follow
ing language:
uThe Government Of Tennessee, as administered
by the present incumbents is the most detestable
oliearchy of modern times, and conducted without
the least regard to the cardinal principles upon
which our free institutions were originally based.
"Its organization took place in time OF war, in
tended no doubt honestly, to give aid to the United
States in the great struggle for existence, and will
therefore furnish some excuse for the irregularities
in getting it up, and for It's acts during the wars
but that any citizen thus selected, after the war
has ended, should still persist in usurpations
sticking to the places assigned them, and legisls-
ting against the known wishcsof such p.ajority
of The people, exhibits an ambition for Office,
scfshuess and hardihood not often met with in
civilized communities. Tc misreprcsent any peo-.
pie, knowingly, has been, heretofore, always con-
adhered degradation to which no man, having
proper self-respect, would submit. Correct prin-
cples self-respect, duty to the people as we'll as
themselves, should have induced them, at the close
OF the war, 10 have surrendered their usurped,
ill-gotten power the people to whom it belonged,
which would have been followed by peace, har-
mony and prosperity at home.
aIf such q course could now be adopted, and the
act Of disfranchsement repealed and conciliatory
course practiced by those now in power, the State
would be as peaceful and orderly as at any other
period in our history. It is not to be expected:
that the citizens will quietly submit to be govern
cd, even wisely and jucty, by such minority, es-
pscially If obtained from military authority with
out their consent, or getting control of the State
bylcgislat;ye tricks and contrivances
.eThe acts of our State Government sey to the
world that nineteen-twenticths Of our people are
traitors to their country unfit for selfgoyornment
and must be subjected to that by the sword. 1t
would seem but just and proper that those who
entertain such sentiments should abandon such
traitorous neighbors, ard seeks home with some
more. genial spirits among the Yankees
ITO be thus deprived OF the invaluable right of
selfgoyernment; 70 have such unjust burthens
imposed on us, by men who are not our represen-
tatives, would seem to demand of US prompt and
epeedy action for our own relief, rs we'll as the
suitable punishment of those who have dared to
nsurp our rights. But the contest now going on
at Washington, between the President and Con-
srsss, for the restoration of the States and tue
rights of the people, and which must be soon
settled, as I confidently believe in behalf of the
latter, renders it prudent in my judgment, for us
70 be calm, quiet and orderly, bearing and fOrbenr
ing much so as to enable us to give efficient aid to
the President in his effort to preserve the govern,
mcnt as it was made BY the great and good men
who framed our Constitution, and to put down the
infamous Radical Congress, who labor, day and
night, to change the Constitution and overthrow
tho Government transmitted to us by our yencraed
ancestors. Changes, alterations in the Constitu-
zion, by such fanatical, unprncipled partisans as
Stevens, Philips BroTnlow, ETC., can result in
good to the people. prefer trusting my destiny
and that of my children TO the pure and patriotic
institutions of Washington and his associates. We
may, however, do.somothing in the midst of these
troubles, to preserve the honor and integrity of
The State from the ruthless hands now controlling
st. Each county can instruct those claiming to
represent them, and demand compliance with tho
instructions or resignation. The right Of nstruc-
tion has ever been held sacred il q Republican
Government. If they fail to obey instructions, we
can repudiate all they do, andthe time will soon
come when appropriate punishment can be imposed
on the miserable tools of party and faction. They
may learn 3 lesson from the fate of Haman, who
erected gallows for Mordecai, and was hanged on
HE own gallows; or from the fate of the inventor
Of the guiliotinc, who was among its earliest VIC
Tins. They may make bed of thorns for the
people TO lie on, and it may soon become their bed
OF repose.n