Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-02-06
a Letter from Gov. BroWnlow.
HIS OPINION OF SOUTHERN REBELS.

NASHVILLE, Jan. Is, 1866.
The Hon. Schuyler CoUdr:
DEAR SIR Your letter of the 9th inst. was
received last evening, and am glad to have an
oppoT tunty TO set myself right, as 1t regards
the admission of the Tennessee delegation to
their seats You understand me correctly. and
represent me properly. | am decidedly IL favor
of admitting the Tennessee delegation, and have
so expressed myself in all my private and pub
lished letters. well as in my messages to the
Legislature.
Tennessee occupies a different and better po-
sition 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 CaroliDas, Alabama, Georgia,
Florida, Mississippi, &e. Tennessee amended
her Constitution, declared her slaves free elected
loyal Governor and legislature under the ad-
minlstratlon OF the lamented Lincoln and as
tribute to his memory, the State ought 10 be
restored 10 the Union. The Tennes see delegates,
as whole are loyal, Ia ke the requ Ired oath,
and would, If in their seats, add to the strength
of the Union party. Tennessee was allowed TO
furnish the candidate ior the Vice PresIdeI cY
on the Republican ticket, and now furnishes the
President. Tennessee continued TO be partially
represented in both branches OF Congress foI
two years after the war was commenced, and
she furnished, IN all $4,000 soldiers Tor the
Union armies. The Tennessee Representatives
ought to be admitted act Of justice to the
loyal IennesseeaGs who stood by the country
all through the rebellion, and q tribute To
the loint laoors Of Mesers. Lincoln and johnson
in les torng the STATE 10 the Union. Finally,
they ought 10 be admitted a OF pre-
venting Ia rupture between Congress ana the
President. which, for the sake OF the country,
90 ght to be avoided. The Presl1ent ought to
be satisfied with the admission OF The Tennessee
deleZ ties = their seats, and | have no coutt
would be.
=. - 4-n-
it does rot follow that if the Tennesse=aus are
admitted. tie Representatives from other States
lately in rebellion must come IN also. Not
sou;h Of Tennessee should lie admitted
until those States maniltsr less o. the spirit OF
rebellion, and elect a more loyal set OF men,
and men who take the Congressional test
oath, which but lew OF those elected do.
Ii the removal Of the Federal troops from
Tennessee must necessarily follow upon the al
mission OF our Congressional delegation u their
seats, why, then. and IN that case, the loyal
men OF tennessee beg u be without representa-
t,yes a. Congress But members oe ad-
m.tts1, ana military force retained sufficient
TO govern and control the rebelllOu=. tell you,
aud through you. al whom It may concern, that
without a Law t. dislTanchise rebels, and force
u carry out the provisions OF that law, tins
State vii. pass into The hands OF the rebels, ard
terrible state OF stf4irs Is bound 70 follow.
Mon men VIII driven from the State, forced
to sacrifice what they have, and seek homes else
where. Aud yes. f-nne7see Is ID much better
condition than any ot the other revolted states,
anu affords stron1er loyal population.
Those who suYpos- the South Is reconstruc +.
ted, and that her ople cheerfully accept he
results of the wa are fearfully deceived TIE
whole South is fIli d the spirit of rebellion, .
and the people are growing more bitter and in
solent every day. Rebel newspapers are now
springing op ali over the South, and Speaking
Out In terms of bitterness and reproaeh against
the Government Jf the United States. These
papers lead the people, and at the same time
= fleet their sentiments and feelings OF the
tto,nty papers Tennessee, fo.rteen de-
cIdediy rebel, outspoken and undisguised, me
OF them p. pretending to acquleece IN the existing
state OF affairs. 10 all the vacancies occurring
ia our Legislature, even with our Franchise Law
in force, rebels are invariably returned, ana in
some instances rebel officers ltmping from wounds
received IN battle, fighting against the United
States forces And yet, tell you that Ten
neesee is in better condition than any other
revolted State.
Others wall give YOU more favorable account.
cannot in justice to myself and the truth.
think | know the Southern people. | have
lived ffty~eight years IN the South, OF choice,
and two the North, of necessity.
| have the honor TO be,
Very truly. &c,
". u. BRowNLow, Governor, &c.