Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-02-13

j WHllo
the chosen disciples of Justice and IS priests at
her divine affairs, conspired with the enemies of
constitutional government to betray and overthrow
the very laws they had sclemnly sworn TO support
and administer. And in consequence Of tine treason
that disgraced the bench being likewise general
among the bar, it was matter of little embsr-
rassment and difficulty, even In East Tennessee, to
appoint suitable judges. The smallness Of judicial
salaries was likewise most serious obstacle. But
notwithstanding these facts the fitness and wisdom
Of Gov. Brownlow's appointments have been uni |
vesally recognized and the judicial department Of
Tennessee was never in more thorough or health
full operation.
The controlling and organizing genius Of Gov. |
Brownlow also strikingy illustrated in re-
cent railroad history. When Gov. Brownlow was |
inaugurated we had but railroad in good order.
The others were in most desperate condition: the |
grading washed and out of repair the cross ties rot
ten and badly lain the rails Old crooked and wofns
the rolling stock burned broken or stolen by the
rebels Without money, resources or organization,
with heavy debt of unpaid interest accumulated
during the war; their bonds deprecated and their
credit gene, these railroad companies were in
dition truly desperate, when Brownlow stepped
forth to their aid ike Deliverer. AT his sugges-
ton and through his influence the State Legisla-
ture made enormous appropriations for each of the
various roads, and the General Government having
turned over to them the rolling stock in its posses
sion, the companies were on their legs again. The
unfinished roads which many thought abandoned,
aud the funds therein invested lost forever, under
the influence of the new f-blocd infused into them
by the Legislature, swoke TO renewed life and vig-
or And to-day there is more capital invested in
railroads, more energy displayed in constructing
them, and more certainty Of final success than the
State ever witnessed before And less than five
years from now, when every portion of the State
will be in cose proximity TO some railroad every
portion of the United States readily accessible
to cur citizens and productions, and when,
fall all
stand in the front ranks with her sister States her
borders filed with plenty and gsdness, then viii be
evidenced more strongly than to-day the wise states
manship of William G. Browniow in fostering the
railroad interest of Tennessee.
We mention the Governors agency in reconstrac-
ting the counties, courts and railroads, not because
he was more influential therein than elsewhere but
as ready illustration of his influence everywhere It
is in these particulars that Brownlow is prominent
ss Tennessean but he is also prominent as one OF
the statesmen of the age and one Of the leaders Of
the New Nation And hereof we propose to say
something.
OF all the seeded States Tennessee is the only
one that has not failed to recognize the state of
things. This Republic has had g new birth. A
newer and higher civilization has been inaugursted.
The nation has arrived at full manhood and the old
foul swaddling that incumbered its infancy must
give way to new and fairer garments. The genius
Of country feels his strength and reoces in his
might His dreams and aspirations of q nobler and
from his lips and he has gone forth to the conflict
conquering and to conquer, bnarsns esa---;--;--
from the Lord of hosts and the God Of battles and
victory is written upon his sword and liberty upon
his scabbard.
Tennessee has not failed to recognize this ne "
state of things. The effort she Is making to keep
mn in this great onward march is unparalleled IN
American history. Surrounded and beset on all
sides by dsloyal States with traitors at homo both
open and secret the wounds OF battle still bleeding
L.. hall al and Y lima
she still marches on, excepting step to the music OF
the Unionp snd bearing alof the banner of nation
al progress, ,.,, entitled - c,oa, and honor 70,
this? Who ia he that has grapplsd with the trait
orous adversary and hurled him from the pathway.
Name the man who, fearless Of threats, unwearied
in labor and unfaltering IN right, has terminated
lifeless, encouraged the wavering and emboldeneo
the bold until Tennessee is what she Ia to-day, the
pride and hope Of loyal men throughout the coun-
try7 That man is VIM. @. Browniow--a name
hereafter to be ilustrious in the annals of the re-
generated Republic q name blessed BY every patri
OF and cursed by every traitor in America the
cursing and blessing making double honor.
North Carolina, Alabama and Louisiana had
their provisional Governors Ike Tennessee like
Tennessee the last two chose Governors and Legis-
latures and were as long under Federal rule. But
how stand they today Disloyai and in disgrace.
They both had loyal GovernorS but, alas these
Governors, influenced seduced by the traitorous
Andrew
repentent and perrred rebels 10 go to the ballot box
and take possession of their States. Had Brown
low been Governor Of those two States, they would
both be in the Union to-day, end their government
in LOYAL hands. The fearful struggle in Tennessee
over the Constitutional Amendments is . part Of
our national history. The brides and threats and
promises Of Andrew johnson, the Apostste, backed
By the whole influence Of the National Executive,
were powerles to turn aside our loyal Governor and
Legislature for one moment As the Amendments
were adopted, and Tennessee using them as pass
ports re-entered the halls of Congress amid the
plaudits Of the loyal North. Brownlow had
triumphed ever Andrew Johnson Loyalty over
disloyaltyl
Il Is most true that Stokes, Maynard, Arnell,
Fowler, Fletcher, and their compatriots in and out
Of the State Legislature, nobly encouraged by the
gallant Gen. Geo. H. Thomas, have all been jealous
IN The good work and hive co-opersted ably, earn
estly and efsctually with the Governor. But
Brownlow has always been the head and front OF tho
cause. His boldness vigoT and integrity have run
through all the departments 81 tbs State, making
every arm stronger eF5ry tongue ass.sr ane eyefy
heart purer And the rebel has ql.sed beneath bis
eagle glance aud the growler grown dumb u his
presence: for of all men in the State ErownlsW is
most hated and dreaded by the disloyal and by The
loval most loved and trusted, and herein Is ample
proof Of his well doing
Al the nrorlinent measures passed BY the Legs
lature were suggested and reconiendsdi in the Gov
ernor's various messages And while the Legisla-
tnre has cfen been slow, it has always been sure
and considering the time and place, liberal beyond
ali reasonable expectation. The passage Of the
Constitutional Amendments, the Franchise Bills
the Metropolitan Police Bills, the Railroad Bills
and the Jury BILL are evidence a. once Of its nerve
It's loyalty and its wisdom. But two more laws arc
necessary entite it and the State TO the thanks
gratitude and admiration Of the whole country-the
Impartial Suffrage Law and the Common School
Law Brownlow, to bis everlasting honor, is heart
lily in favor of both These two laws on our stssute
book, the fun circle Of glory Is completes With
out them we fall shortin the good work and desert
our brothers in the very breach. Shall the sun stay
in bis before be reaches the zenith7 All ees
are turned upon Is. A million prayers 20 M that
We may be strengthened 70 do the good work The
whole nation expects Tennessee To continue 10 lead
The hour OF destiny has come and the clock has
struck Gentlemen Of the Leglslaturel yours 10 the
duty and yours tbs responsibility. Revolutions
never go backwards shall The wheels Of progress
be stopped. g
50 much for Governor Brownlow and the Ten /
nesses Legislature And VIC VIII have answered
the questions we set Jas ith asking. The Govern
or and Legislature hare been equal 70 their great
undertaking. They hare made COED their pledges
10 the loyal masses Of the State and country T5ey
have proven themselves worthy Of the confidence.
honor and applause Of the patriots Of Tennessee.
and Of the friends Of Liberty and Progress every
where. Then homer be unto their names and 'fet |
ali the people say, Amen p
SaoxBIRs
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