Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-11
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Gov. Brownlow on the Situation.

Il
/ have to-day spent two hours in con-
versstion with Col. John b. Brownlow,
son Of Governor Brownlew, and junior
editor of the Knoxville Wing. Colonel
Rrownlow is, in great degree-in fact,
in almost everything be may be said to be
the personal representative Of the Gov
ernor, having his confidence iu all public
matters Besides this, the Colonel may
be said to be q reproduction of the "Old
Parson," fer father and son we're never
more alike. As will be seen from my
| question, Col. Brownlow feels that he so
we'll understands his fathers views that
he has no fears Of misrepresenting him.
In addition to this, be is thoroughly fami-
| liar with every act of the State Govern
ment since its organization. From my
personal knowledge, would feel that any
expression which be might utter in re-
gard to the Governors views would be
the same as uttered by the Governor him
self and, therefore, entitled to the Same
consideration.
As Governor Brownlow is represented
as being quite old and very feeble, and
by some said to be almost an imbecile
| through the effects of disease and old age,
| it will not be detracting from the interest
that may be felt IN his opinions by stating
his mental and physical condition, as
told to me by his physician to-day.
| Governor Browplow was sixty-three
years old in August last, having been
born in 1905. When the war broke out
he was in fine health, but during the
twenty.one days he was hiding out in the
bleak mountains of East Tennessee, in
November, 1861, when the snow was on
the ground, and his subsequent three
months imprisonment, bis nervous sys-
tenn was prostrated. In 1862 he noticed
that he was growing slightly nervous,
which increased very gradually until
about one year ago, since which time he
has been gradually improving, and is
now much better than he was a year ago.
Only last Tuesday he rode out six miles
in the country without suffering any ex-
haustiop. He has never suffered from an
attack of ofparalysis, as has been reported,
and with the exception of his nervousness,
is very seldom unwel. His rebel ac-
quaintances all agree with his physician,
that his mental qualities are unimpaired.
His physician does not think there is any
danger of his dying from the effect OF his
nervous disease.
g Colonel asked, "are you well
enough acquainted with the views of your
father upon the political, financial, and,
in fact, the unsettled condition of the
State, to state them with an accuracy
which would satisfy him, and do him jus
tice2
II think I am. Daily / read to him
the leading journals of both parties; the
speeches of Wade Hampton, Cobb, For
rest and others, and hear him comment
upon them. also read to him the news
and editorials in all the leading rebel pa
pers in the State, and hear his expression
upon them"
"What does he think of the Ku-Klux
Klan from the information he has re-
ceived in regard to it?" bt
"He regards it as having been origi-
mated by leading rebel politicians, for the
purpose, by the numerous assassinations
already made, of forcing the immediate
enfranchisemen of the rebels, by intimi-
dating members Of the Legislature, and
to carry the State in November for Sey
mour and Blair. He regards it as mil
itary as we'll as political organization,
evidence that, at their meetings, they
drill for hours, as the same men did while
in the Confederate army. Their pur-
poses, as shown by evidence in his pos
session, are the disfranchisemen of the
blacks, and the expulsion from the State
of all Northern men who fought in the
Union army, who are not now in sympa-
thy with the Democratic party 00
docs he regard the organization as
being general throughout the State D"
He has positive evidence that the or
ganization is general throughout the
State, and, with Gen. Forrest, he believes
their force is quite formidable-net less
than the number estimated by the Gene
raj himself" ra sovai
"Did his knowledge of their extensive
organization load him to believe that they
would endsnger the safety of the State
Government, if not checked 2"
His knowledge convinced him that
assassinations would become more nu.
merous, in proportion to the forbearance |
exercised toward them by the civil au-
thorities."
"Why did not the Governor call out |
the militia, under the act of the 10Th of |
last March, without convening the Legis
lature? That law authorizes him to call
out one or more regiments in each Con
gressional district, does it not 7 .nu
1T does; buthe had two reasons for
not doing so, First, the provisions of
that act were not such as to make an
effective organization and, second, he
wanted provisions made for the payment
of the interest on the State debt; but he
regarded the Ku.Klux of such danger
Gus character as to warrant him in thus
officially consulting with the elaw-making
power. He felt that it would be better
to counsel with them, from the very fact
that they were familiar with the acts Of
the discontents, and knew better what
they we're doing" r..-. r,y
. "From the information filed with the
Governor, can he conclude that the out
RACES by the Ku-Klux have increased
since the meeting of the New York Con-
vention 2 llf OK 81. lT alE
They we're on the increase from that
time until the meeting Of the Legisla-
ture, since which time there has been less
Of lawless sctS" Tr lT
Have the Leagues or loyal men been
guilty Of outrages upon those who we're
rebels 2
"Tbey have not, as an organization.
Some rebels have been killed BY Union
men since the end Of the war, but their
quarrels were not, rs general thing, the
result Of political differences; but these
cases have been few, and in East Ten
usssee but two have, in two years, been
killed"
"Does the Governor think that fair
election could be held throughout The
State, BY the legal voters. without the hid
and projection Of a military force