Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-04-03

can conceive Of no outrage no crime in Ponsi.e
too shocking for the Radicals. They WIN nSln'aii
their ascendency though the government % u'
stroyed. =. -.
sincerely desired to retire to the shades OF prt
vate life without conflict and with no regrets, and
now regret to be forced before the public BY YOU
unjust publication v.,v,, "A' D. oAAPBELL'
We answer Gov. Campbelrs eulogy on Andrew
Johnson by republishing another letter, respecting
this same Andrew johnson, addressed 10 the late
President Lincoln, by Wm. B. Campbell Bailie
Peyton and John Lellyett in 1854. The reader will
be apt to conclude that Gov. Campbells memory is
very detective when he asserts In his letter 70 US
that his CJohnson's) well known honesty and
nrmness, his freedom from the charge of using his
political position to advance the private interest OF
himself and friends, always commanded my respect
and admiration"
TO AbrahsBt Lincoln, President Of tie United States:
SIR: Your letter in reply to the Tennessee Pro-
test has reached US, and has doubt been read by
the people. The argument on this subject is nearly
exhausted, but we have some additional and most
important facts 10 submit TO the people in further
elucidation of the subject.
Our wonder is not excited, TO learn that you had
| not seen the Proclamation of Gov. johnson, and
scarcely heard of it until presented by US.
JOHNSON MAKES AND REPEALs LAW AT We'll
It is an evil Of no small magnitude connected
with your administration, that military subordinstes
assume despotic powers without asking the sanction
of their superiors-even presuming to give law to
the people by proclamation, and to repeal and mod
ify our laws at will The idea that the President
himself can make or repeal, or modify law of the
land, state national constitutional or statutory
though freely prscticed upon by yourself is doc
trine OF despotism in "irrePressbe conflict" with
the principle Of p1blic liberty. And when these
things are done by subordinates the evil becomes
intolerably oppressive and calls for the frmest ard
most active lawful resistance which people deserv-
ing TO be free can offer.
JOHNSON wAGING WAR ON THE CONSTITUTION.
You tell US that 4he movement set on foot by the
Convention and Gov. johnson does not as seems to
be assumed by you, emanate from the national Ex-
ecutive." What we did assume is that the plan was
promulgated by proclamation of the Military Gov
ernor who has no authority but that derived direct
ly from you; and it was given the force of law by
his edict. 1t thus became indirectly your act and
now that you decline TO order the edict TO be recall
ed or modified it becomes your own as fully as if it
had emanated from you. "In no proper sense"
you say, "cAn It be considered other than an inde
pendent movement of st least portion of the loyal
people of Tennessee" Independent of what Mani
festly independent of all lawful authority-inde-
pendent Of and at war WITH the Federal Constitu-
tion which you have both sworn to support protect
and defend. What right has citizen or officer to
favor an independent movement" at variance with
the Constitution, and support the same by force of
arms7 What less is this than wsging war against
the Constitution Of the United States, and the Gov
ernment established thereby
JOHNSON COMPARED TO GOV. HARRIS
And yet you say 1 do not perceive in the plan
any menace of coercion violence toward any one"
Just SO with the earlier Independent movement
of Gov. Harris in this State, which we opposed as
we oppose this. There menace of coercion
or violence toward any one who should consent to
see the Constitution violated, and the political
plan carried out without opposition. But the bay
az WFTrn HrpN ap e Tl,l1 IL
meetings were menaced, and perhaps broken up by |
armed force. And so it is now. Those opposed to |
the +" Independent movement" were denounced as /
traitors and so they are now. Troops from own
and from other States were used to overawe the peo
pie, and SO they are now. We had vigilance COM
mittees and mob violence then We have now Sc
cret leagues, and liable at any time to arbitrary
arrest as well as 10 mob violence which is now used
in our midst.
These are general facts, in support of which we
add the following specifications
JoHEsoEs REIGN OF TERROR.
In the face of the reign of terror which has been
established in Tennessee under the eyes Of Governor
johnson, you say TO us &C. Do as you please on your
own account, peacefully and loyalty, and Governor
Johnson will not molest you, but will protect you
against violence so far as is in his power" If you
mean that Gov. johnson will allow US to stay away
rom the polls without uAOlo0t@tion, TRUST tiaOrO
s some truth in your assurance. But if you mean
o suggest that We hold separate elections, "on our
'wn account" and TO assure us that we shall not be
noleeted but protected in such movements" we
Know by experience, and by the facts above set
oyth, that your assurance is a cruel mockery.
IL PUTS LIFE IN JEOPARDY AND ovERAwEs THE
PEOPLE By ARMS.
We will not advise our citizens TO put IL jeopardy
heir lives in going through the farce you propose
# holding election under the laws at ballot
,ox, while Gov. johnson holds an election under
lis "plsn" at another. Too many unofending citi
ems have already been murdered in our streets by
legro soldiers-too many reputable women have
,een insulted by them. We do not wish 10 provoke
urther outrages There will be election for Pres
dent in Tennessee in 1864. You and Gov. Johnson
nay manage your side of it in your own way"
Iut IL will be no election.
After consultation with our friends therefore in
literent parts Of the State, and having communi-
ated with nearly all of our colleagues, respect
ully announce 70 the people Of Tennessee, that in
7iew of what is set forth bove-in view Of the fact
hat people are overawed by military power, the
Avs set aside and violated with impunity-and in
'isw of the fact that we have appealed in vain to
he President whose duty it is TO see that the laws
'e faithfully executed" and that those who act by
is authority shall hold sacred the liberties Of the
'eople-in view of these things we announce that
he Mcclellan Electoral Ticket in Tennesseeis is with
rawn.