Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-23
mARTIAL LAW DECLARED.

Gov. Brownlow determined to
signalise the close of his administra-
ton by an outrage for which there
is no precedent in the history Of
this country, save in that of Ark
ansas. 1t is however perfectly
characteristic of the vindictive
course he has pursued toward the
people of this State. The following
official document appears in the
Knoxville Wing of Saturday:
PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR
Whereas, There are now sixteen hun
dred State Guards at Nashville, armed
and equipped, under the command of
Gen. Joseph A. Cooper and
Whereas, These troops are intended to
preserve the peace and enforce the laws
in counties heretofore partially in re-
bellion.
Now, therefore, |, VIM. G. Brownlow,
Governor of Tennessee, do hereby pro-
claim martial law in and over the follow
ing named counties to-wit OVerton,
jackson, Maury, Giles, Marshall,
Lawrence, Gibson, Madison and Hay
wood.
And further direct that Gen Cooper
distribute these troops at once, and con-
tinue them in service until we have unS
mistakable evidence of the purpose Of all
parties to keep the peace.
1t is further ordered in this prOclama
ton that the General in command shall
enforce the most rigid discipline among
his troops, requiring them, in every par
ticular, to conform to strict military dis
clpline, showing no quarters to either
officers or priVates who shall be found
guilty of habitual drunkenness.
In testimony whereof | have caused
the great seal Of the State to be attached
hereunto, this Goth day of February, one
Thousand eight hundred and sixty~nine,
and | order that the same be inserted
three times ia each of the newspapers
entitled to publish legal advertisements.
w. G. BRowNLow,
Governor of Tennessee.
The following letter from the
Representative of Lawrence county
in the Legislature, who is Radi
cal, will show the character of this
outrage:
NASHVILLE, Feb. q, 1891 see that
martial law is declared over the county
of Lawrence, the county which | have
the honor to represent, which | must ac-
knowledge greatly astonished me, for j
know of no persons or persons who have
complained of any late depredations in
said county, or that there was any difficult
ty at all in enforcing civil law in said
county; but on the contrary, the people
of said county at this time, and have been
for some months past more peacea'
BILE, quiet and law abiding, than they
have been for the last ten years and
emily a few days ago, James Ii. Me-
Key, sheriff, Ira J. Brown, clerk of
the Circuit Court, and William
A. Gilmore, clerk of the County Court,
and other officials of said county, in
written communication to the Governor,
stated that there was no difficulty in en-
forcing the civil law in said county, and
consequently no necessity for militia or
other troops to enforce the law, all of
whom are men of responsibility, and
worthy Of credit, and the persons spe-
cially named above were soldiers of the
Federal army during the late rebellion,
and all are now, and always have been,
members Of the Radical Republican par
~, and firm supporters of the state adj
ministration; and having been firm sup
porter of the Governor in all his elec>
tions, for Governor and United States
Senator, ] am at loss to know why
troops should have been quartered upon
the people of my county without CONSUL
ting their immediate Representative. /
think surely that some person or persons
have made misrepresentation to the Gov
ernor, and sincerely hope that the order
will be revoked and save my people the
modification and expense OF haAlng
tro.ps qdarteTei am 1ngsI them IN times
of profound peace. let as hare peace
w. z. II. TURNER,
Rep. Lawrence County
.---.---.--..---eg
WEIT avacuted fiftv~cent counterfeit