Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-04-17
4 GtBERNAroRrAL SNORT.
old Proc ON the Election IN, tho Sow
shth Judicial District.

From tho Knoxville whis, kpriisj
Messrs. Barry and Guitdt
The following remarkable iiiJuiic-
ton comes to my notice through tho
columns of the Nashville Banner.-
Although 10 Is not the usual dignified
manner OF transacting official busi-
ness, l reply through 'he columns of
the knorritte Wing. The notice IL as
follows
Governor Brotcntotc and the Score
tary Of State.
You are notified that shall contest
the late election for Chancellor of tho
lSeventh District, i'm which Mr.. I.auck
and myself were candidates, upon tho
grounds that the polls were not opened
III the various precincts of election,
and the election was not held and con-
Quoted agreeable to law. You will.
therefore,, not issue the commission,
until this contest il decided.
Respectfully,
THOMAS BARRY.
BY u G.. GUfbD, his Attorney.
April 2, 1868.
In all cahdor, gentlemen, this Is tho
most insolent thing of its kind have
ever seen or heard of within tho
bounds of the late Southern Confetle-
racy, since the war closed. Had tho
contest been a close one, there would
have been an apparent justification
Ior the course you have pursued; but
after an animated and somewhat pro-
tracted canvass Mr.. Lauck was elected
by majority of six or eight hundred.
You contest the election, as you al
lege, on the ground that the polls We're
not open In the various election pre-
cincts. Why were they not open?e
Because the rebels appeared at differ
INT places of voting before the election
In armed force, threatening death and
slaughter, and dintimidating the Union
voters. In your own town, where
you both reside, several hundred rebels
appeared armed, recently, on one day,
and fearful collision was imminent
throughout good portion of the day.
III you take the pains TO contest tho
election, 1t will appear in evidence
that Lauck's majority would have
been much greater than 1t was had
the election been held at all the pre-
eincts. 1t only needs moments re-
ncction to satisfy a reasonable man
that your course Is productive of an
archy and the overthrow of all law in
the country. Suppose every defeated
candidate was to pursue your course
and stay the issuing of commissions,
1t would not be long until we would
have no Courts, and lawlessness would
triumph. This, it would seem, IL one
OF your objects, at least so far as tho
Seventh Chaucery District Is con-
cerned. / am within bounds when /
say that your own county of Sumner
ranks ksamong the most rebellious coun-
ties in the State.
1t occurs to me that you ought to
have served your notice upon tho
newly elected Judge instead of tho
Governor and Secretary of State. Be
this as it may, however, take occa-
sion to notify you that if the Secretary
OF State shall make known to me, IA
1t Is his duty to do, that the election
returns in his office show Lauck to
have been elected, i will certainly
commission him, your order to tho
contrary Notwithstanding; and when
he IL. commissioned will protect him
IN holding the Courts, if / have to
call on the Federal Government for
an armed force to escort him from
county 10 county.
This brief history will indicate to
general readers the spirit of these un-
reconstructed rebels; it will show
that they are reckless of the peace and
welfare of the country, that they do
not desire peace, law and order, unless
they can be maintained to the injury
OF loyal men and to the personal and
party advantage of the rebels.
1t denotes, also, another thing-itis
this-lOyal men should be on the alert
to look TO their own interests, and
should hold strict guard against tho
endless tricks and efforts of these dis
reckless desperate men
who are still hunting for the 'last
ditch"
w. q. BROwNLOw.
Governor of Tennessee.
April 0, 1868.