Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-08-07
BR0WNLOW'S MANIFESTO.
BLOODTHIRsTY MESSAGE TO THE
LEGISLATURE.
His Voice Is Still for War.
No Concessions to the Disfra nchiscSi
Whites.

or heDT6Se1ttuttCcS:
The Constitutional provision au-
thorizing me to convene you in ex-
traordinary session, makes it my du-
| ty to state to you the purposes for
which you have been convened, and
ut the same time limits you i'm your
acts of legislation to the business for
which you have been called together.
At your session of last winter, by
large majorities in both Houses, you
repealed what was known as the mill
itia law. accordingly paid off the
militia and disbanded them, so that
for the last ten months there have
been no State troops at my disposal.
AS members of the Legislature, you
were assured by leading Conservatives
in their respective counties, and doub-
ly assured by the leading rebel jour
nails of the State, there would be no
necessity for any troops whatever, and
that law and order would he strictly
observed. 1t turns out that the rebel
lious elements of the State were at
that time secretly arming themselves
and perfecting a military organization
known as the Ku-kluX K1an, COM
posed of ex-rebel soldiers and those
who were in sympathy with them;
thus violating their parole at the time
of their surrender, and violating the
laws of the State, and plotting and
planning mischief in every respect
These men have been arming and or
ganizing for a year past, with an eye
to the overthrow of the State Gov
ernment, and, ultimately, to carrying
the State in the Presidential election.
| n L n hn
litical leaders and bad men who have
prompted their action, that the Pres
ident of the United States was bitter
ly hostile to the men and measures of
the present State Government, and
would readily favor u movement that
would overthrow both. They have
been confident, and have so expressed
themselves, that the President would
give them, as revolutionists, such aid
by the disposition of troops, and
changes in this military department,
as would insure them an easy victory;
and some of them have been so indis-
Greet as openly to boast of this
Their schemes have involved the
overthrow of the existing State Gov
ernment, the abolition of colored suf-
frage, the immediate enfranchise-
ment, under the revolutionary consti-
tuition, of every rebel who fought to
destroy the Government, and a wiping
from the statute books all the whole
some and patriotic laws enacted since
April, 1865.
30 violent and murderous have been
the conduct of these armed outlaws
in different counties of Middle and
West Tennessee, that, acting under
the authority of resolution you adj
opted last spring, l have called upon
the brave and patriotic commander of
this department at Louisville, to fur
nish me regular troops for these coun-
ties. The following correspondence
will show you with what result:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, June Is 1853.
Mdjor General Geo. III. Thomas,
Commanding DC:
The following Is copy of dispatch
from the Hon. Mr.. Arnell:
COLUMBIA, Tenn, June IA, 1868.
To W. G.. BroWnlOV.
The Ku-klull searched the train for me
last night pistols and rope in hand EN-
power me 10 call upon the military here 4
armed and masked parties in this vicinity
S. NJ. ARNELL.
This is hat in keeping with what is going
ON in other counties of middle and West
Tennessee, as l am advised by reliable men
| therefore call upon you to furnish @
company of troops for the counties of Lin
coin and Marshall Jointly. One for the
county otObion, one for the county of Dyer
and one for the county OF Gibson. With
out troops in these counties the evils law
cannot he enforced or loyal men allowed q
exercise their'rights and liberties. II yor
have the troops also desire that a company
be sent To Fayette county.
w. q. BRowNLow,
Governor of Tennessee,
H'Do'Rs DEPT OF THE CUMBERLAND, /
LouisrILLE, KY, June Is, 1865.
His ELceHency, W. O.. Brounlo,p, Goperno
Of Tennessee, Knonraie, Tenn:
SIR have the honor TO acknowledge IN,
receipt OF your letter of the 18th inst, con
I tanning copy OF dispatch from the Hon
: troops to he sent 10 certain counties I'm Ten
= ncssee, You say that without troops II
these counties the civil laws cannot be en-
frr,ed or loyal men allowed to eNercis,
their rights and liberties. | have the hon
or to say in reply that the military car
only be used to aid ana sustain the civi
authorities M the discharge of their duties
The State of Tennessee being in the full OK
ercise OF all the civil functions of state
the military authority OF the United state
cannot legally interfere except in aid an'
support of the civil authority. For lhcs
purposes troops have been sent to VA
fious Localities at your request, these details
together with the present demand for troop
~ assist the United States officers in collect
ing the revenue, has so exhausted the fore,
nj my command as TO prevent the com
plyingwith your request tosend conipanic
To the counties named.
Very respectfully,
% Your oDcdicnt servant,
>. GEo. III, THOMAS,
Maj, Gen. L. =, A. Commanding.
H'Do'Rs DEP'T OF THE CUMnERLAND,
LOUISVILLE, NY, June "a, 1868. !
TO his ErceHencH ", G.. Brornio,c Gorerno
Qf Tennessee horrHIe, fsHh..
Sir--Refcrring to my letter of the 1871
inst, 20 you, have the honor to inform
. you, that since writing, ! have procured I
ali Assembly Of Tennessee for the year
1919
I have carefully examined the acts pro
wiling fort the protection OF Sheriiis, &C., AN,
=, relating Ia the state Guard, and respect
y mlly submit tn You, as my opinion, tina
under these laws, II vigorously enforced, th
difficulties In Tennessee could lie sup
pressed.
The 7th, aud subsequent sections OF tn
"act for the protection Of Shcrihs," paSse'
February LIST, lStS, appears to be- especial,
available ana practicable for good effect
and cnuld he more readily nnd quickly en-
forced than the act To "orgunize and cpuil
Il state Guard, etc, passed March n
lSss though II found necessary this woul,
. hr the more powerful organization, not
lWithstanding its deficiencies as To a stat
corps for its administration.
! take the liberty of giving an opinion oi
this subject, because, of the pronoAilitV q
the necessity In the end for your calling ol
the United States for MD under the proVis
lions OF the Constitution, nuda us YOU haN
been informed the force Mt my command 4
= 81 exhausted hv calls Tor other duties, tina
it Is not likely that sufficient troops nir IN
purposes could he furnished.
have the honor 20 bc, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
GRO. Nj. THOMAS.
Major General L, =. Army.
STATE or rENNEssEB