Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-03-15
The Report on the Ten
nessee Question.

Tennessee, from the Reconstruc-
ton Committee, submitted to the
House of Representatives, were
accompanied by various papers,
including the memorial of the
members-elect of this State, ad-
dressed to the Senate and House
|of Representatives, in which they
say the Government of Tennes-
see is republican in form as we'll
as in spirit, and ask that the same
be recognized and properly guaran-
teed as the true State of Tennes-
see, entitled to such immunities,
franchise and prerogatives of the
Congress of 1896, as enjoyed by
her until her relations were dis
turbed by the treason of por-
ton of her citizens. We copy
from the Geographic summary
furnished the Cincinnati papers as
follows:
The report gives the testimony
of Brevet Brigadier Gen. Hatch
er. He says that, leaving out the
eastern portion of the State, he
should think it was largely op-
posed to the General Government;
that there is no good feeling to-
wards the Government excepting
in East Tennessee. Public senti-
ment in the latter is, in the main,
loyal. He considers West Tennes-
see as disloyal as Mississippi
East Tennessee is the only por-
ton of the State from which the
troops can be withdrawn with
safety.
Major General G. H. Thomas
testifes that he has studied the
condition of Tennessee carefully,
and it is his opinion that if pro-
tected and encouraged by a small
Union force, the loyal sentiment
would gain complete ascendancy in
a year or two. He does not think
| it would be safe at this time to re-
move troops, or withdraw martial
law, or restore the privilege of the
writ of habeas corpus. The full
extent of East Tennessee is per-
fectly safe, because the Union ele-
ment preponderates. Middle
Tennessee is disturbed by per-
sonal enmities and hatred, much
more than by disloyalty of persons
against the United States. Union
men in West Tennessee are in the
minority, but Union sentiments
are gradually approaching good
loyal standard, and he thinks this
feeling will be on the improve
ment.
Gen. Fisk testifies that he has
half million of freedmen under
his charge. The great mass are
in good condition, and improving,
but need the protection of the
Government as much on account
of the opposition manifested
against them as in justice to the
negro. Those who evince their
hostility to these persons say they
should be entirely driven from
the State, and oppose the educa-
ton of the negro and his justice
before the law. All the freedmen
in Tennessee who are able-bodied
procure employment. The militia
ry should not be withdrawn, nor
martial law removed, or the writ
of habeas corpus be at present re-
stored. AS to loyalty, the ma
jority of the people of Tennes-
see are opposed tothe Government,
If every man should vote as he
pleased, this fact would be mani
tested.
Col. William Spence testifes
that the poorer classes in Tennes-
see were loyal, if proper efforts
were made to protect them. He
thinks the disloyal sentiment
greater in Western than in Mid
die Tennessee, and that the adj
mission of Senators would have a
good effect, as this would set the
whole machinery in motion, and
the people would become BETTER
satisfied. ,ui. /.
The United States Senator
elect, D. T. Patterson, testifies
that the sentiment of East Ten
nessee is overwhelmingly loyal; :
there are very few rebels there, ;;
and there is nothing to fear from
rebelinfuence. He doubts wheth- .