The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-07-31
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

|
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of
Representatives.:
The Constitutional provision, author
izing me to convene you in extraordi-
nary session, makes it my duty to state
to you the purposes for which you have
been convened, and at the same time
limits you in 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 re-
pealed what was known as the militia
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 respec-
tive counties. and doubly assured by the
leading rebel journals of the State,
there would be no necessity for any
troops whatever and that law and or
der would be strictly observed. 1t
turns out that the rcbellious elements of
the State were at that time secretly arm
| ing themselves and perfecting militia
ry organization knowHas the Kulllux
Khan, composed 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 year past. with an eye to
the overthrow of the State Government,
and, ultimately, to carrying the State
in the Presidential election. They have
known, as well as the political leaders
and bad men who have prompted their
action, that the President of the United
States was bitterly hostile to the men
and measures Of the present State Gov
crnment, and would readily favor Il
movement that would overthrow both.
They have been confident, and have so
expressed themselves, that the Presi-
dent would give them, as revolutionists,
such aid by the disposition of troops,
and changes i'm this military depart
ment. as would insure them an easy
victory; and some of them have been
so indiscreet as openly to boast of this.
Their schemes have involved the over
throw of the existing State Govern
ment, the abolition of colored suffrage,
the immediate acknowledgements, under
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rebel who fought to destroy the Gov
eminent, and wiping from the statute
books Of all the wholesome and patriot
ic laws enacted since April, 1865.
So violent and murderous have been
the conduct of these armed outlaws in
different counties of Middle and West
Tennessee, that, acting under the autho-
rity Of resolution you adopted last
spring, have called upon the brave
and patriotic commander of this depart
ment at Louisville, to furnish me regu-
lar troops for these counties. The fol-
lowing correspondence will show YOU
with what result:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Knoxville. Tenn, June 18th. 1868.
Major Gen. Geo. II. Thomas, Commanding. &C.
| The following is copy OF dispatch from
the Hon. Mr.. Arncll:
COLUMBIA, Tennessee, June IA, 1868.
To Governor w. G.. Brownlow:
The KukuX searched the train for me last
night. pistols and rope in hand. Empower me
to call upon the military here if necessary in
your name to suppress all armed and masked
parties i'll this vicinity. propose to fight it
ont. 5, NJ. ARNELL.
This is but in keeping with what is going on
in other counties of Middle and West Tenncs-
see. as am advised by reliable men.
| therefore call upon you to furnish com
pany Of troops for the counties Of Lincoln aud
Marshall jointly. One for the county of Obion,
one for the county of Dyer, and one for the
county of Gibson. Without troops in these
counties the civil laws cannot be enforced or
loyal men allowed to exercise their rights and
liberties. If you have the troops, also desire
that company be sent to Fayette county.
l have the honor to be, &C.,
W. G.. BRowNLow, Gov. of Tenn