The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-08-24
THE EASTN TENNESSEE UNION FLAG.

ed and her credit utterly ruined. war was
still raging, courts were nowhere held with
safety, and justice was administered within
a few fortified posts, protected BY bagonets.
County government were broken mp and
peace officers could DO nothing. Our schools
and academies we're closed as .hey had been
during the four years Of war and anArchy
which relgued. Our grand system Of Rail-
roads was in ruins, while the military author
tiles were running such As we're necessary to
their success. Guerrillas prOwled with
ont restraint over the whole State, and
our farmers we're liable any night to loose
theitIaSt horse and their only hope Of making
bread. The Legislature, by lie judicious leg
~islation, has placed the State upon her feet
again, enabled the treasury to meet all de-
mands, and put the Railroads ia running or
der, and enabled them to meet the interest
on their loans. The credit ofthe State is re-
stored, and the State herself Is restored 10
the Union. The courts are everywhere open
for the transaction of business. The farming
operations of the country are going on
finely, and our schools are opening in every
county. In a word, il has been the proud
privilege Of this Legislature to restore this
noble old Commonwealth to prosperity % bu-
s%incss, and to her ancient position in the
Federal Union. And the members Of the
Legislature have done all this in defiance
Of the abuse Of traitors and, the ISLANDERS
OF their pFostituted papers, and in the
very face Of war made upon them by the
President, whose patronage and dictation
was brought to bear upon them through bad
men who had sold out the administration,
or lacked the manhood to stand up against
It's de%nunciatiOns. All honor to the patriotic
Legislature Of Tennessee, and the brave men
in both Houses who have faced the Storm Of
rebel abuse, copperhead ISLANDERS and the
treason Of those in high places.
cannot close this address without warn
ing the looya. men Of the State against the
speeches, arguments and appeals OF that class
Of leading men who, in their worse than Bal
shazEar revelry, praise Andrew johnson as tire
man after their own heart. Middle and West
Tennessee, at the breaking out Of the rebellion,
their freuz,ed rage always directed itself, with
unerring precision against the Government
and its Uhion friends. Most Of them either
belonged to a Vigilance Committee or a rebel
Military League, sacrificing better men than
themselves to the MOloch Of rebel hate. In
East Tennessee, for the most part, they were
men who sought office under the Conteder-
ate Government, spoke and wrote in favor OF
the rebel cause, denounced Lincoln's viola
ton Of the Constitution, and at a later day
advocated the election Of Mcclellan and Pen
dleton !, Most of these men would like 70 see
n second rebellion, rs a means Of acquiring
political notorieiy and making money. They
are not of that class Of men who would enter
the ranks and fight for their prIncip es. They
are the advocates of Convention 10 set aside
the present State Government even If the ex-
pertinent should cause the scenes to be en-
acted for which civilization will he made 10
blush The massacre Of Fort Pillow, the
brutality Of Andersonyllle, the base assassinS-
zion Of Lincoln, the murderous fury Of the
Memphis mob, the Wholesale hanging and
shooting down Of East Tennessee Unionists
ali Mt length paralleled by the ine1cusable
slaughter in New Orleans, have mr. terrOrs
for these Tennessee admirers Of Mr.. johnson,
though be is becoming startled at the atroci-
~ Of his " deeds, and the legitimate fruits
Of his insane policy
In this address | have used great plAinness
Of speech, and for the reasons, first, that !
desired and intended to be understood and
next, because this is no time for putting
forth an uncertain sound. / have desired to
act in harmony with the President-so has
the great Union party Of the country, the Leg
~islature Of the State, and Congress, as I took
occasion TO write him about the beginning
Of this year. ! hope be may publish that short
letter. ] have resolved that the President
shall not call \ Grayback Convention at Phil
adelphia-a Convention TO be composed Of Of
~6ce-holding Republicans, Of delegates from
the party that opposed the war. aud Of del
egates from the Rebel Congress and the
rebel armies, and out Of these materials
organize n Democratic Rebel party, and turn
me over to il. to be dictated and controlled
by the men who fought four years TO de-
stroy the country. This is the pass to which
we have CONT At last, and those that are will
ling hat a fnithless President shall transfer
them to his new party organization, can go,
and may joy 90 with them. Divide and s"i-
divide as we may, there can be but two par
ties in this country-a disloyal and a loyal
party. Choose ye between these parties,
whose only issue is, whether his State and
Nation are to be governed By loyal or disloy-
al men.
II is proper for me to state that my term
Of service will expire in October, 1857, and
that | shall not. be a candidate for recollection
10 the Office | now hold, or to any other Of
fee within the gift OF the people. Whilst |
am in Office ! shall endeavor TO do my whole
duty, as ! have done, without regard to con-
sequences. In retirement | will ]eontinne 10
vote and act with the party that is radical in
its loyalty to the Union, and radical in its OPP
position 10 oil the scheme and devices OF
rebels and rebel 81 mpnthiEers.
W. G. BR0WNL0W,
GorerRor Of TennesIse.
KnorriHc, AuguIt II, 1866.