The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-07-17
TENNESSEE.
Extra Session Of the Legislatnre--- Message Of
GOV. Brownlow.
Gentlemen of the Senate and


stated i'll my proclamation OF the 18th OF
June, calling you together. TO that paper
l respectfully refer you
Under the fifth article of the Constitution
of the United States, Congress has proposed
as an amendment to that Instrument a Iour-
teenth article, which has been duly certified
and communicated to this Department by
the Secretary of State of the United States.
Copies of said proposed amendment, with
the authenticating certificate and letter OF
Enclosure of the Secretary of State, are here
with transmitted for your consideration, and
I invoke your action as promptly as Is con-
sistent with the gravity and importance OF
the subject.
beg you to bear in mind in your delibera-
tions. that while the most of you have been
at all times personally and individually loyal
to the United States, as whole you repre-
sent State the most of whose people went
into rebellion, raised one hundred and NIFTY
four regiments, and sent them into the field
to fight against the National Government {;
levied war against the United States Tor four
years, and were finally conquered and re-
duce, to the condition of inhabitants OF a
suhjugated province, wholly at the mercy OF
the conqueror. BY the law of nations and
the laws of war the General Government has
an undoubted right to prescribe the terms OF
settlement to the State of Tennessee. These
terms have been prescribed, and are now
|
have every assurance that, when they are ac-
copied, your Senators and Representatives
will he admitted to their seats in Congress,
and the State at once reclad with her long
lost rights. Are these terms reasonable 3
For my own part, they seem to me to be but
the decree of political justice and equity
made necessary by the result of the rebellion.
By the first section equal protection in the
enjoyment of life. liberty and property, is
| Guaranteed to all citizens
Practically this affects mainly the negro,
who having been emanclpated by the REBEL
ion. and having lost that protection which
the interest of the master gave him, became,
by the very laws of nature, entitled to the
civil rights of the citizen, and to the means
of enforcing those rights To deny this to
him would be to place his life, property and
labor in the power of every unfriendly local
authority or evil disposed person, and would
lie an instance of barbarism unworthy OF the
age. 1t will also prevent unjust and oppTes-
sive discrimination by one State against the
citizens of other States.
BY the second section, classes who are dis
franchised without crime are not to he cOun-
ted in ascertaining the basis of Federal rep
rcsentation.
This, too may I've regarded as one of the
! results of the rebellion. 4 change made ncces-
sary by our changed condition. We now
have among US class of freemen to whom
we deny the ballot, and all other political
rights. Have we right to count them
against the enfranchised citizens of other
States? If so. then will three of our citizens
(rchels though they may be) equal in the po-
litical balances four citizens of any Northern
State however patriotic. And one citizen OF
South Carolina or Mississippi will balance
two citizens or Union soldiers vino may re-
side north of the Ohio. Certainly the South
Is not in Il condition to claim so great po-
III =
now proposed, unless, indeed, there be merit
III rebellion.
The third section is intended to prevent
that class of rebel leaders from holding office
who, by violating their official oaths, added
one great offence to another. 1t is meant as
safeguard against another rebellion, by
keeping out of power those who brought on
and are mainly responsible for that through
which we have just passed. These men, in
| law and Justice. forfeited their lives and their
property, but 4 benign and merciful Gov
eminent inflicts no punishment or disability
upon them than such as is necessary to pre-
vent them from repeating their crimes. No
loyal citizen will object to this section.
The fourth section declares the validity of
our national debt and that debts incurred or
losses sustained in aid OF the rebellion are
void.
This is simple declaration of the honor
able intentions of the nation, and will he
understood by every American citizen who
is worthy of the little.
1t also refuses compensation for slaves lost
or emanciDated by the war As our slaves
were lost bv the rcbellious conduct of our
own people, we should not expect to tax the
nation to pay for them.
This brief analysis of the proposed amend
ments exhibits n magnanimity on the part
of the American people, through their rep
resentatives in Congress, which challenges
| Of E,,o1
adjustment between the conqueror and the
conquered their miltlness and freedom from
all penalty is without a parallel in the history
Of nations.
I congratulate you on your good fortune
in having the opportunity of being the hon
ored agents of restoring the ship of State to
her ancient moorlngs, soon again to set sail
upon her voyage of prosperity and glory
But little over a year ago you assembled in
the capital and took charge of the State
She was PROSTATE bleeding and helpless
The Courts were nowhere held with safety.
and justice administered only i'll q few
fortified posts. County governments were
broken up, and peace officers made no efforts
to perform their duties. And anarchy, with
all its horrors, rciGned supreme Without
treasury or revenue laws, the credit OF the
State was destroyed, and our grand system
of railroads in ruins, while guerrillas
prowled without restraint over the State
! GU nave pidCeu Jul SlduI StatC upoi i'S
feet Under your judicious legislation the
Treasury has been able to meet the heaviest
demands the credit of the State is rapidly
rising to its former maximum height. Your
railroads are nearly all in running order and
paving their interest on their loans, while all
your Courts are open and justice is admins
tered in every part of the State. 1t is now
your proud privilege to restore the noble old
Commonwealth to her ancient position in
| tho Union of orr fathers IA Won have Der-
formed your duties heretofore in defiance of
the abuse and denunciation of traitors, so
am confident you will do in the future,
needless of threats or dictation from any
source.
regret that duty requires me to bring to
your notice any other subject than the mighty
question 1 have already submitted. But
am constrained to call your attention to the
necessity of amending an act passed at your
last session, entitled IAN Act to establish a
Metropolitan Police District, and to provide
for the government thereof" Having ap