Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-03-23
Governor BroynIow,s Letter.

Judge Kelley, OF Philadelphia, has recent
ly received the following important letter
from Governor Brownlow Of Tennessee, whose
former relations to the President, no less
than his Official position, make his statements
the more significant
NASHVILLE, March 8, 1866
Hon. I'm. d. Ktiley, House Of Reprs,en-
fGtirss
DEAR sIR-Enclosed, send you copy of
my proclamation, from which you will learn that
a faction Of twenty-one disorganiIers have, in
the true spirit of the late iniquitous rebellion.
Withdrawn, and reduced our House Of Repre-
sentatives below quorum.
On Friday last, the election Of county officers
took place throughout the State; such as clerks,
sherifs, justices, trustees. and tax collectors,
and in Middle and West Tennessee, the rebels
have made a clean sreep-turning Union men
out, and electing their own candidates, who
electioneered for Office on the ground that they
were rebels, and had either served in the rebel
army, or in some capacity had given their
influence to the cause Of treason and traitors.
When Richmond fell and Lee surrendered reb-
els, and many who sympathized with them,vere
very respectful TO Union men, often obseouious.
Guilty culprits, they evidently feared arrest and
punishment, ard felt that TO he let alone and al
lowed to live, wa= all they had right to expect.
DAl cluEc paIu0ue DeCu - dIA
no man has been punished, they have every
where become impudent and defiant, until in
most counties in Middle and West Tennessee, it
is disreputable to have been q Union man, or,
rs Southern man, to Rave served in the Union
srny-and matters ara growing worse-the re-
constructed traitors operlg cursing loyal men,
and threatening them with shooting or hang
i1g-boasting that they have the President
their side. while we all feel that the Presidents
policy s rrinous to US.
When I put the President in nomination ST
Baltimore for the Vice Presidency, | felt that be
had so thoroughly committed himself to the
Union csIse, and had been go badly treated BY
the rebels, il was impossible for him ever to get
around 10 them again; but i have given him up
as lost TO the Union party, and as the man who
is 10 head the rebels and democrats. Every reb-
el in all this country, even Mcclellan men, and
every ex guerrilla chief, are loud and enthusiast
tic in praise of the President The men who,
but few months since, were cursing him for sn
sbolitionst and traitor, and wishing BIN exc
cuted, are now for executing all who dare op-
pose his policy or even doubt its success.
There is twice the s1Oount Of bitterness and
intolerance in the South to-day toward tbs Union
and everything Northern that there was at the
time of Lees surrender Abuse Of Union men,
of the radical majority in ConGress, and SELF
assumed superiority on the part ofthe Southern
chIvalry, have risen to such a height that loyal
men cannot travel on q steamboat, or a railroad
car, without being insulted.
As il was during the war, so it is now-aI
concessions from the North or from the majority
in Congress. are regarded as evidences Of fear.
All the old rebel presses of 1861, and many
new ones, are in full blast, threatening Con-
gress and the North with ultimate vengeance
and bcasting of Southern proves. The most
popular men in the largest portion Of Tennessee
to-day are the most distinguished for their hos
tility to the North, and what they are pleased
to term the radical Congress, and they are the
class of men selected to fill Offices, as the a,e
county elections show.
The same lie true of the entire South, only to
greater extent In word, they are resolved
on breaking up the government, and they ex-
pect TO carry cut their scheme through the bal
lot box, and how men Of cando- and intelligence
can represent them as loyal sad kindly disposed
s a mystery TO me, even IL tbs age Of rebellion
and ireachery. | do 1Ot 80 understand them.
and my opportunities for learning their temper
and ultimate purposes, are as good as most
men.
Why, sir, many Of them are expecting the
President 10 lsperse Congress with the bsyonet.
as Cromwell dispersed the Long Parliament
The Southern breast is being rapidly fired to
deeds of yalor; and all this, and more, as be-
lieve. has been caused by the mistakes Of the |
President. His plan Of trusting rebels with |
their State governments has had an effect exactly
the opposite Of what he intended. 1t has ruined |
the prospects OF the Union men, and they feel |
that there is no safety for them unless Congress
shall choose to protect them. Even three days ago
Gen Thomas had to send troops INTO Marshal |
county, some sixty miles distant to protect loyal
men and freedmen who We fleeing for safety and |
coming TO the city.
So far as | am Individually concerned. the
incorporate abuse Of rebels, the denunciation |
and blackguardism Of their reconstructed jour
mails, the threats Of personal violence from these
smnestied patriots, and the anonymous letters
Of towards threatening my assassination, all fall
harmless AZ my feet No earthly power can
drive me from the support of the men and par
ty who fought the battles Of the late war, and
put down the rebellion.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
W. G. BROWNL0w,
Goyernor Of Tennesse@