Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-26
A PROCLAMATION.
Nv Che Gorernor Of Tennessee.

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 hume
rous outrages have been committed IN GER
tain counties in this State, by violent and
disloyal men, upon the persons and pro-
perry Of Union men, whose only otiense
has been their unswerVing devotion TO the
national flag. and their uniform support of
the State government; and whereas these
bad men are banding themselves together
In some localities, and notifying loyal men
10 leave within a given time. Now, there
fore, ] William G. Brownlow, Governor as
aforesaid, by virtue of the authority and
power in me vested, do hereby solemnlv
proclaim, that ] intend to put a stop 10 all
such outrages, by al once calling into actual
service a sufficient number Of loyal volun-
teers under the following recent act, which
is now the law of Tennessee:
AN ACT 10 organize and equip State Guard,
and for other purposes.
BE il enacted by the General Assembly
Of the State Of Tennessee, That the Gov
ernOr IL hereby authorized and empowered
10 organize, equip and call into active ser
vice a volunteer force 10 be known as the
Tennessee State Guard 10 be composed of
one OF more regiments from each Congress
sional district Of the State: Provided,
always, that the Tennessee State Guard
shall be composed Of loyal men, who snail
take and subscribe the oath prescribed in
the franchise act.
Sec. Q BE il further enacted, That the
Governor shall be COmmauder-in-Ch Chief
and any number Of said force shall be sub
jeci % his order, when in his opinion the
safety Of life, property, liberty, or the faith
tul execution Of law require il; 10 be or
ganized, armed, equipped, regulated and
governed by the rule and articles OF war
and the revised army regulations of the
United States, so far as applicable, and
shall receive pay and allowances according
TO grade Of rank, az provided for the
United States army while in active service,
to be paid ont of the State Treasury, not
otherwise appropriated Provided. that
the force provided for by this act shall not
be armed and equipped until called into
active service by the Governor.
Sec. g. BE il further enacted, That this
act shall take effect from and after its
passage.
Standing, as / do, On the broad princi-
pies Of the constitution, and sworn 10 en-
force the laws, ! have no concessions to
maketo traitors no compromise 10 offer
10 assassins and robbers and If, in the
sweep Of coming eyentg, retributive Justice
shall overlake the lawless and violent, their
own temerity will have called il forth.
The outrages enumerated must and SHALL
cease Having reached the foregoing con
clusion, ! feel justified in expressing the
opinion that the present State government
ga Tennessee generally aCquiesCed IN
by loyal and law-abiding pcople-will be
SUSTAINED and preserved, despite the efforts
of disappointed traitors and disloyal news
papers.
The interest of trade, of agricultural pur-
SUITS of commercial intercourse between
this State and others of the development
81 our vast resources of emigration. as well
a. Justice 10 loyal suiitrcrs-all require
that these Outragcs at once cease IN every
county in the State. Disloyal men are
giving forth their vile utterances in rail-
road cars, in public hotels on the streets,
and through the newspapers, damaging the
material interests of the State, those Of COM
mercc, those of the mechanic arts, Of re-
ligion and education, as well as bringing
reproach upon the Commonwealth
| cannot, however, close this brief proc
lamation without endeavoring 10 impress
upon my f,llow-ctizens Of an parties the
importance absolute necessity of re
manning quiet, Of preserving good order,
and quiet submission %. and rigid en-
forcement Of the laws everywhere within
the limits of our State. Outrages upon
loyal citizens, whether white or black, and
the setting aside of the franchise law, are
all the work Of bad men, who desire to
ipment strife, and will not be tolerated.
Prudent and experienced men will be
placed in charge Of the State Guard in
every county where they are placed, who
will be required TO protcctal good citizens,
irrespective Of political parties, ard to pun
i4h murderer, robbers and all violators
of law. And the number Of troops
called into active service will be increased
or diminished a, the good or bad conduct
Of the people shall he developed. Hoping
this Proclamation will strengthen the
hands and inspire the hearts of the loyal
people of our State IA 10 the future, and
deter the disloyal from further acts Of vio-
lence, | respectfully submit it, with re
petition of the assurance that ] mean what
J say, and that the General Assembly was
in earnest in the passage Of this military
law.
In testimony whereof ] have hereunto
set my hand and caused the great seal Of
the State to be affixed At the Executive
Department IN Nashville, ON the 2jth dav
Of February, 1867
WILLIAM G.. RROWNIoW.
Commanderin.C Chief etc