Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-03-06
A PROCLAMATION.
By the Governor of Tennessee.

WHEREAS, It has been made known to me- the
Governor of the State Of Tennessee, that certain
atrocious murders and numerous outrages have
been committed in certain counties in this State by
violent and disloyal men, upon the persons and
property of Union men, whose only otfense has been
their answering devotion to the National Flag,
and their uniform support Of the State Government
and whereas these bad men are banding themselves
together in localities and notifying loyal men
to leave within a given time. Now, therefore, l,
WILLIAM G. BROWNLOW, Governor as afore-
said by virtue of the authority and power in me
vested, do hereby solemnly proclaim, that intend
to put stop to all such Outrages by at once calling
into actual service sufficient number of loyal vol
now the law of Tennessee:
An Act to organize and equip State Guard and for
other purposes.
Be 1t enacted By the General assembly Of the State
Of Tennessee, That the Governor is hereby authori-
zed and empowered to organize, equip and call into
active service volunteer force to be known as the
Tennessee State Guard, to be composed of one or
more regiments from each Congressional District of
the State Provided always, that the Tennessee
State Guard shall be composed of loyal men, who
shall take and subscribe the oath prescribed in the
Franchise Act
SEC. 2. BeHtnTther enacted, That the Governor
shall be Commander-in-C Chief, and any number Of
said force shall be subject to his order, when in his
opinion the safety of life property liberty the
faithful execution of law require it; to be organic
ed, armed, equipped regulated and governed by
the rnls-S assEtieOes at>war spd-theseyised t,rmy
regulations Of the United States, so far as applica-
be and shall receive pay and allowances according
TO grade of rank, as provided for in the U. S
army while in active service, to be paid out OF any
money in the State Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated Provided, that the force provided for by
this act shall not be armed and equipped until call
ed into active service by the Governor.
SEC. ,. Be It further enacted That this act shall
take effect from and after its passage
Standing as l do on the broad principles of the
Constitution, and sworn to enforce the laws, have
no concessions to make to traitors no compromises
to offer to assassins and robbers; and if, in the
sweep Of coming events retributive Justice shall
shall overta<s the lawless and violent, their own
temeritv will have called it forth. The outrages
enumerated must and SHALL cease. Having reach
ed the fore,oing conclusion. feel justified in ex
pressing the opinion that the present State Govern
ment in Tennessee-so generally acquiesced in by
loyal and Iaw-abdng peopIe-wiIl be sustained
and preserved despite all the efforts Of disappointed
traitors and disloval newspapers.
The interests of trade of agricultural pursuits of
commercial intercourse between this State and 9TH
ers-of the development of our vast resources, of
emigration. as we'll as Justice to loyal sutferers-a
require that these outrages at once cease in every
county in the State Disloval men are giving forth
their vile uerances in railroad cars in public no.
tells on the streets and through the newspapers dam
aging the material interests of the State those Of
commerce those Of the mechanic arts, of re Hgion
and education. as well as bringing reprosch upon
the Commonwealth.
I cannot. however close this brief proclamation
without ondeavorin,r 70 impress upon nv fellow
itizans of all rarties the inheritance the absolute