Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-23
RRONNLOW.

A Radical Estimate of the Man
Testimony 10 His COunseIing MUIR
der-Standing PardOEs for any
Crime that His Tools may Com
miI-His Bid for denomination
Shocking Disclosures from His
Own Camp-The Eyes of the Nerth
Being Opened.
Cleveland, Tennessee Correspondence of the
Springfield Massachusetts, Republican, 9th
What can the thinking Union men of
Tennessee expect in the way of civil peace
and prosperity with a man ct the helm of
State whose course has always been so
strongly marked by passion and violence
Has he ever shown a single quality of the
statesman? Is there any consistency in
his character or history2 When the war
broke out he was the ardent and bitter sup
porter of Southern institutions" II re-
quired protracted and patient remonstrance
to prevent his Wing FROM espousing the
cause of the Confederacy. We can readily
excuse him for that, and every other weak
ness but we are merely calling attention
TO his character. When he escaped from
the Rebel prison, and went North, he devo-
ted his time 10 criticising the Federal gov
eminent and berating the War Department.
He is always con. Like his brother at
Washington he is more than ready to bite
whatever barks at him. They both make
enemies where selfcontrol would secure
friends. But both are ready to call their
passion virtue, and glory in their shame.
The two qualities of organization referred
TO, which they have in common, are among
the main causes of the failure of their sew
eral administrations. For though Cover
nor Brownlow has been for the most part
successful in securing the adoption of his
plans and placing his pets in positions, his
failure TO wisely and impartially admins
ter the laws has been as ignoble and signal
as that of johnson to enforce his "policy."
Unless those high in authority under him
have lied and sealed it with an oath, Gov.
Brownlow has encouraged and counseled
assault, riot, mob-law and murder More |
prudent and experienced men," now
placed in charge of that State guard"
swear that he had standing pardon from
the Governor, and he would shoot whom
he pleased, and at a subsequent period,
also within my own observation, the same
man proflered 10 suit the action TO the
word, and | have no doubt would have
done so promptly, had not his demands,
made in violation of all law, been at once
complied with. These facts do not stand
alone in their class.
The Governor no doubt deserves credit
for some things But when he so very
modestly offers himself candidate for a
second election, it will not do for him to
attempt through his organs, and orders,
and proclamations, 10 make the people of
other States believe that all who humbly
deem him an unsuitable person for the high
trust are Rebels and traitors and JOhnsonites;
nor that they are not even Republicans, and
many of them as Radical, but less rash than
himself. But then, the public know that
the people of this State, in convention as
sembled, have re-nominated him. Yes,
but the public don't know how that was
managed, and no wonder that the nomina-
ton surprises the people of the State, while
it deceives those of others. Some light
may be shed on the subject, during the
sweep of coming events, when retributiye
Justice shall overtake the lawless and viO-
lent The calm, wise, thinking, truly
patriotic and unselfsh citizens of Tennes-
see know full as well As does Gov. Brown
low, that his success in the coming cam
paign, in addition TO the enforcement of
the franchise law, stands sorely in need of
all the cOlored vote, and the bullying IN
timidation of the loyal militia" Could
anything be more modest than the Gov
errors bid for the denomination See an
extract from his letter addressed 10 the con-
vention. 81 do not doubt the ability Of the
loyal men of the State to retain its control
under the franchise law, provided the law
is enforced. have no candidate to sug-
gest, but deem the convention capable Of
making its own selection. Nor do j speak
of the claims of myself or other gentlemen.
No man has any claims to public trust;
but the country having a right TO the
services of her ablest and most reliable
citizens, such men will net feel at liberty TO
decline important nominations, if bestowed
with encouraging unanimity. Even in my
feeble state of health, if | were nominated
by your convention, | wonld not feel at
liberty 10 decline the nomination"