Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-09
The Condition Of Tennessee.
The World asks 4:

The World ASKS
Why the Tribune does not even dare to declare
its belief that Gov Brownlow has right to inter-
fere with the freedom of the ballot by the bayonet
Here is President johnson invoking the Constitu-
ton to make Brownlow understand that the U nited
States are not at this time to be governed By the
bullet and the cannon, and we have the Tribune
msanly evading the issue, miserably sneaking away
from the support of the great Tennesseesn cham
pion OF its party"
RESPONSE By THE TRIBUNE.
l. A very large proportion of the Tenr esgee
whites fl to drag their State into the rebellion,
and go in with her.
II. Making war on the United States, they-by
the help of outside rebel armies-subjugated the
Unionists, killing many in cold blood, imprisoning
thousands, and crushing out loyal and brave East
Tennessee
III. At length the wheel revolVed. Grants tr-
umph at Fort Donelson opened her rivers to our
fleets, Johnston had to evaouate Bowling Green and
retreat to Corinth. Nashville had to be abandoned.
Rosecrans confirmed the Union hold on it at Stone
River. Burnside delivered East Tennessee from
rebel thraldom. Grants victory at Mission Ridge
made all safe. Hood tried to recover the State but
Thomas smashed his army in raising the absurd
Lacquer of Nashville. The rebellion went down to
stay.
". Peace being thus conquered, the rebel SOL
diers who had been driven out come back in thous-
ands. They wanted to "run the machine" as they
now 40 III hdTylhuQ huQ h6QLuCkYs DuJ LQ6
Unionists, led by Andrew johnson, had revised the
State Constitution in their absence ard dsfrsnchised
them.
" johnson enunciated the principle, "Loyal men,
white or black, must rule America" The Union
Legislature, being authorized by the Constitution
to do So have acting that principle enfrsnehised
the loyal blacks. The rebels remain disfraneised.
"That's what's the matter"
VI These disfranchised rebels say they lgiH vote,
in defiance Of the constitution and laws for Seymour
and Blair They are organized they are armed /;
they propose to vote at the point of the bowienife
In some districts, we presume they will. They say
it and no doubt they mean it.
VII. We are in favor of their enfranchisenent
provided they viii not use the power thus generous
y accorded to them to disfranchise any portion of
the Unionists. We wait to hear from them OH this
point before pressing the matter If they are heart
lily for UNIVERSAL AMNESTY with IMPARTIAL SUI
FRAeE, we can help them some At all events, we
win try But if they want TO get up in order 10 get
our folks down, we can be Of little use to then.
VIII. We are utterly opposed to their voting in
defiance of the Constitution and laws. That is re-
bellion-naked, outrageous, uniustifable. What
ever right to vote they have is precisely the same
as that of the non-franchised blacks of this State
save that the Tennesseeans are disfranchised for
their treason and blacks for their color. That
is all the difference.
TX Gov. Brownlow and the Legislature of Ten
nessee are trying to uphold the Constitution and
execute the laws Of the State. Nothing more,
nothing less. There are sections wherein thu dis
franchised rebels are in overpowering force. They
mean to use that force to open their way the bal
lot boxes. The Unionists propose to prevent this
by force should force be required That is all there
is of the execrsted " standing army" The Union
ISIS do not mean that Frank Blairs programme
shall be carried out in Tennessee before it in other
States. So they organized TO prevent it.
Y. II the World should ever again be in need
of information, las it doubtless will be- let it
not hesitate TO speak out 1t knows where TO apply
for the genuine article. And we are always happy
TO obge those who manifest an nquiring turn Of
mind