Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-10-09
M1UGURAL ADDRESS.


What is dignifed or undignihed, appFo-
n. timed, in the matter of an In
r ''.'e = address. the manner of its delivery,
=. - - Iongth or brevity, are all mere mat
% taste on the part Of those who hear
~ ar;ticise documents of this kind, and
arc usually passed upon in accordance with
- r,es or dislil1es of the confirmed parti-
ron Therefore, in the brief Address which
nropose to deliver on this occasion, in
tend to be governed by my own convictions
If what is proper, and by the feeble condi-
tion of my health. In a document Of diff
ferent character, which expect soon to lay
before you, shall confne myself to brief
review ofthe principal interests of the State,
and direct your attention to such recon-
mendations as their needs have suggested.
Grateful to the people of Tennessee for
the honor of second election to the Office
of Chief Magistrate of the State, assume
the trust, deeply impressed with the grave
responsibilities which it imposes upon me.
l am the more grateful for having obtained
a larger majority than has been given to
any man in the State since its organization,
and in one of the most bitter and unreleDt-
ing conflicts we have ever had, in which
the opposition were led by INSCRIPTIONS
traitors on the stump, backed by venal
press, and both acting upon the assumption
that lie well stuck TO is as good as the
truth /" Ny election by SO great majority
and over the head Of such opposition, do
not regard as a compliment alone to me,
but as an endorsement Of the principles
represented by my nomination. And here
| will take occasion to say, that the only
party organization in the Union, guided
and controlled by men up with the advanc-
ed ideas of the times, and the paramount
obligations of all patriots to the Union, is
the Great Republican Party. Its wisdom,
patriotism, patience and forbearance all
stand out in bold relief in the noble legisla-
ton of the American Congress during the
past five years of our history; and in the
equally noble legislation Of Tennessee du- |
ring the past two years, in the face Of OPP |
position both fierce and formidable. In a
word, the Republicans propose no monopo
ly-they advocate no titled aristocracy-no
distinction on account of race or coor-no
privileged Professionalism withhold no
Just rights-only forfeited rights-protect-
ing alike every class, guarding, with a jealous
eye, the preservation of the Union.
Tennessee is the only stronghold Repub-
licanism has in the South her Executive,
Legislative and Judiciary Departments
being loyal, have contributed in their turn
to the great work recently accomplished.
And well they might, for the conflict in
viewed the safety Of the noble Union men
wno stood firm in the hour Of danger-the
safety Of the colorcd race-the chances Of al
civilization for the Southland the future
prosperity Of cur gallant old State, as we'll
as the influence Of her vote in the next
Presidential election. The Tennessee cleo
tons, just over, mark new dispensation
in the political affairs of the South. The
Rebel Democratic party goes to pieces the
Republican, Union party looms up in bold
relief as the party entitled to the confidence
and regard Of the whole country. This
Conservative party has, during its career,
advocated no moremen and no more money
10 carry on an abolition war "a universal
amnesty for traitors-secession and foreign
interference-now openly advocates the re-
pudiation Of the National debt-and it only
remains for it TO advocate Polygamy, in or
der to have sounded every known depth of
political infamyl
have witnessed, with regret, in differ
ent localities in this State, disposition to
prescribe Northern men, and TO drive them
from the country l do not enter into this
spirit, nor will administer the Executive
Branch Of the State Government upon any
such principle. If men are good enough to
come to Tennessee and encounter the cold
and heat and mud and rains Of our climate,
and face rebel bullets in putting down the
rebellion, they are good enough, when quail
fled, to fill offices of honor and trust We
want Northern capital-Northern enter
prise-and 10 get all this, 1, for one, am
willing to take fair proportion of North
ern politicians. But yield to no nan in
my contempt for that class Of Northern
men who come among us and for the sake
of position and patronage, abandon their
honest sentiments and become Rebel sympa- I
thizers
Gentlemen, in the feeble state of nv
health, / shall expect your kind Intelligence
and generous co-operstion-whilst ask !
hat as lew burdens be imposed upon me as i
the public interests may allow. Musually !
seeking the public good, let us accept every a
responsibility which our respective posi. {
tions impose y
Imploring for your guidance The favor |,
Of a merciful God, which il novo,. ,r;,tI,oIl
from law makers whose course Is 49, !,
solely by the conceptions He gives HON % st
right and duty, Iconclude with 81 sor,;,',.S. d
which l trust may inspire all our sctions u
The Union Of the Republican party for ,ho
sake Of the Union II
W. G. BRowNrow i
Nashville, October 9th, 1867. n
A L.