Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-10-12

OInef eH0Ct lHdH W f0ShiuuIo pas
sions and prejudices which ought
to be buried. The thousands who
now stand united against the ag-
gressions of the Radical party were
widely and bitterly opposed during
the war. The only hope of our
success now is in unity of pur-
pose and action. The only hope |
for such unity is in our ceasing
to revive tho passions Of the past.
We will, however, publish below,
in justification of President john
son, extracts from a letter of Mr.
Etheridge to the Hon. John d.
Perryman, dated Washington City,
December 90, 1865.
address OF GOVERNOR JOHNSON To THE
PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE.
After speaking at some length Of the
condition of affairs in this State from Ler
admission into the Union up to the depar-
ture of the Confederate forces and the
Stale authorities from Nashville, Gov
johnson proceeds:
In such a lamentable crisis the govern
ment of the United States could not be I'M
mindful of its high constitutional obligation
to guarantee to every State in this Union
republican form Of government, an obli-
CATION which every State has direct and
Immediate interest in having observed to-
wards every State, and from which, by no
action on the part of the people in any
State, can the federal government be alb
solved. A republican form of govern
ment in consonsnce with the constitution
of the United States, is one of the fHndaS
mental conditions Of our political exist.
ence by which every part Of the country
is alike bound, and from which no part
can escape. This obligation the
national government ia now
attempting to discharge. | have been ap.
pointed, in the absence of the regular and
established State authorities, as Military
Governor for the time being TO preserve
the public property Of the State, TO give
the protection of law actively enforced to
her citizens, and as speedily as may be to
restore her government to the same condi-
ton as before the existing rebellion.
In this grateful but aduous undertaking,
I shall avail myself Of all the aid that
NAV be afforded to my fellow cilizeng.
And for this purpose respectfully, but
earnestly invite all the people of Tennes-
see, DESTROYS or willing 10 zee a res Grafton
of her ancient government, without dis-
stinction of party affiliations or past pOlit
icsl opinions or action 10 unite with me
| by counsel and cooperative sgency, TO
accomplish this great end. | fad most,
| if not all of The offices both Stale and Fed
| eral vacated either by actual abandonment,
| or BY the action Of the incumbent in at
| tempting to subordinate their functions to
| q mower in hostility TO the fundamental
law of the State, and subVersive of her
national allegiance. These offices must be
| filed, temporarily, until the State shall be
| restored 20 far 10 lite accustomed quiet that
| the people can peaceably assemble at the
1 ballot box and select agents Of their choice.
| Otherwise, anarchy would prevail, and no
mans life or property would be safe from
| the desperate and unrrincipled.
shall therefore, "a early aa practicable,
4 designate for various positions under the
4 State aud county governments from among
4 nov fellow citizens persons Of prObity and
| intelligence, ard bearing true allegiance TO
4 the constitution and government Of the
/ United States, who will execute the func~
tions Of their respective Offices, until their
| placts can I've filled by the action of the
people. Their authority, when theie ap-
| nointments shall have been made, will be
accordingly respected and observed.
To the people themselves the prot ion
4 -F... Ill IL. -
| rights will be duly respected, and thsir
/ wrongs redfessed when made known. ThJse
/ who through the dark and weary night If
| the rebellion have maintained their aliegi-
ance to the federal government will be
/ bonored. TIE erring and misguided will
| be welcomed on their return. And while
| it may become necessary in indicating
the violated majesty of the law, and in re-
asserting its imperial sway, TO punish in
| telligent and conscious treason in high
| places, no merely retaliatory or vindictiVe
policy will be adopted. To those especi-
| ally. who in a private, unofficial capacity
| have assumed an attitude of hOso
| tiIiiy to the government, a fall and
complete amnesty for all past acts and
| declarations is offered, upon tine condition
| of their again yielding themselves peace
| full citizens to the just supremacy of the
LAVE. This advise them to do for their
own good, and for the peace and welfare of
| our beloved State, endeared TO me by the
associations of long and active years, and
by the enjoyment of her highest honors.
And appealing to my fellow~citizens Of
Tennessee, / point them to my long pub
| lie life as a pledge for the sincerity of my
motives, an earnest for the performance of
my present and future duties.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
MR.. ETHERIDGE To MR.. PERUVIAN.
On the 10th Of Dec, 1865, Mr..
Etheridge, being then in Washing
ton City, wrote q lengthy letter to
Mr.. Jno. D. Perryman, Esq, from
which we make the following ex-
tracts justifying tho Presidents
policy and exculpating the Presi-
dent from all personal or official
| responsibilities for his arrest or the
prosecutions by which it was fol-
lowed. Mr. Etheridge said:
Those who attempt to make The impress
sion that / am opposed TO the liberal and
| comprehensive policy which the President
has insuguraied to restore representation
70 the States fret above named, Va, n
c., s. g., Ga, Fla, Ala, Miss. and Tex
are themselves the secret enemy of both
the President and his purposes; they will
soon be the public, as they now are the
private allies of Sumner q Co. The
message of the Pfesident had been plainly
fcreshadowed by his acts and conversations.
| / cordially approve the automatic truths
therein 30 frankly ayowed; and without re
ference to The opinions or wishes of any one,
/ shall consider il an imperative duty,
| and in no spirit Of captious criticism, TO
give his policy hearty support in the inn
bending conflicl-a cobfliGt which regard
az inevitable, unless the President contrary
TO all lust expectation, sh0uld abandon the
principles of the message for the dangerous
dogmas of his Radical enemies This he
cannot do without public and personal DIS
honor. He has made and accepted the
issues Tins far boldly; he will be sustained
finally by millions of just and liberal men
who 30 fully comprehended the responsI'
bilties and complications inherited from
his unfortunate predecessor. ...-t.
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