The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-03-23
Gov. BrOwnlOw's Letter.

The following spicy letter from Par
son Brownlow will not fail to interest
the readers of the TRANscR1PT. The
letter is important, coming as it does
from an old friend of the President
and the very man who nominated him
for the Vice Presidency at Baltimore:
NASHVILLE, March s.
Hon. U'm. d. Kelley House of R'1re-
Seatafires
Dear Sir; Enclosed | send you a
copy of my proclamation, from which
YOU will learn that faction of twenty
one disorganizers have, in the true
spirit of the late iniquitous rebellion,
withdrawn, and reduced our House of
Representative below a quorum. l
need not add further remarks, as the
proclamation fully discusses the points
at issue.
On Friday last the election Of coun-
ty officers took place throughout the
State; such as clerks, sheriifs, justices,
trustees, and tax collectors, and in
Middle and West Tennessee the reb-
els have made q clean sweep turning
Union men out, and eecting their
own candidates, who clectioneercd for
office on the ground that they were
rebels, and had either served in the
rebel army, or in some other capacity
had given their influence to the cause
of treason and traitors
I When Richmond fell and Lee sur
rendered, rebels, and many who sym
pathized with them, were very res
pectful to Union men, often obsequi-
Gus. Guilty culprits, they evidently
feared arrest and punishment, and
felt that to be let alone and allowed to
live was all they had right to expect
But since pardons have been SO null
= tiplied, and no man has been pun
: ished, they have, everywhere become
E impudcnt and defiant, until in most
counties in Middle and West Tonnes
see it is disrcputable to have been n
Union mar, or, as a Southern man, to
! have served in the Union army-and
| matters are growing worse-the re-
S constructed traitors openly cursing
loyal men, and threatening them with
shooting or hanging boosting that
they have the President on their side,
while we all feel that the President S
II policy is ruinous to rs.
o When | put the President in nom
nation at Baltimore for the Vice Pres
:. idency, felt that he had so thorough
: ly committed himself to the Union
cause, and had been so badly treated
by the rebels, it was impossible fol
If him ever to get around to them again
+ but | give him up as lost to the I'm
!. ion party, and as the man who is &c
= head the rebels and democrats. Ev-
u cry rebel in all this country, even Nc
% Clellan men, and every ex-guerrills
chief, are loud and enthusiastic il
praise of the President. The mel
who, but a few months since, wer,
II cursing him for an abolitionist ant
oi traitor, and wishing him executed ar,
rs low for executing all who dare CD
re pose his policy or even doubt its sue
IA cess.
There is twice the amount of bitter
~ ness and intolerance in the south to
e, day toward the Union and everything
ne Northern that there was at the tim,
of Lees surrender. Abuse of North
ern men, of the radical majority il
Congress, and self-assumed superior
w. ity or the part of the Southern chiy
IS airy, have risen to such height tina
loyal men cannot travel on a steam
boat, or railroad car, without bein,
h insulted. As it was during the war
so 1t is now--all concessions from tn
" North or from the majority in Con
p gress are regarded as evidences q
fear. All the old rebel presses of 1856
and many new ones, are in full blast
he threatening Congress and the Nortl
with ultimate vengeance and boastin,
- of Southern prowess. The most pop
ular men in the largest portion of Ten
rs nessee to-day are the men most dis
ct. tinguished for their hostility to tb
to North, and what they are pleased f
is term the radical Congress, and the,
he are the class of men selected TO FIJI ri
'e- fees, as the late county election
er show. The same is true of the entir
m South, only 10 greater e.rtenfi In
IA word, they are resolved on breakin,
ir- up the government, and they expec
ed to carry out their scheme Hrouob N
ht, 6aliot boo, and how men of candor an,
is Intelligence can represent them as low
nd al and kindly disposed is mystery /
in me, even in this age of rebellion am
As treachery. | do not so understan
va them, and my opportunities for learn
re- ing their temper and ultimate pul
or, poses are as good as most neu.
Id Why, sir many of them are expec
ar ing the President to dispense Cor
,rs gress with the bayonet, as Cromwe
Ids dispersed the Long Parliament tn
Southern breast is being rapidly fire