The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1869-01-22
Proclamation, by The Governor.

WHEREAS, There exists, in the Mid
die and West divisions of this State
lawless bands of desperadoes, VIII,
are setting at defiance civil law; ant
who, by threats and acts Of violenc,
are forcing many of u citizens I,
leave their homes; and,
WREREAs. In certain localities, il
those divisions of the State named, j
is entirely impossible for the civi
officers of the State to enforce thO
laws thereof; aud.
WHEREAS, Those masked will ain
called Ku-Kluk, are taking prison.
era from the county jails and hangin s
them without duo form Of trial, anu
are entering Railroad trains and alb
ducting thence. passengers pursuing
their legitimate business, and notify
ing conductors, of Northern birth,
that they must leave the State, forth.
with, thus having driven four con,
ductors from one road, and.
WHEREAS, Certain ambitious, disap-
pointed and bad men have been en-
gagged fof the last two or three years
in making iReendiary speeches, adviA-
ing the overthrow If tho State gov.
crnment. and thereby infuSing an
insurrectiOnSry spirit intn the deluded
wretches who are thus breaking tho
lava and destroying the quiet and
welfare Of the State, nnd
WHEREAS, The leading rebel nGws
papers of this State have encouraged
this state of things-frst, By denying
the existence OF the Elan. secondly
by ridiculing their atrocisus acts, and
further, by failing to condemn and
denOnnce their outrages, showing
thereby, that at heart they approve
their conduct, and,
WHEREAS, Tho Legislature, now
in session, has so amended the
Militia Law of Tennessee, IA to re-
move the restrictions which hereto.
fore crippled it, giving the Governor
full authority to NEE: such outrage,
with sufficient force.
Now, Therefore, William 6. Brown.
low, Governor of Tennessee, do call
upon all good and loyal citizens, TO
enter tho ranks of the State Guards
aud be mustered into service, and MS,
sist in putting down those lawless
combinations and proceedings, and
bringing the offenders to justice so
aiding to preserve the peace Of this
Commonwealth.
Those enrolling under this call will
DO subject to the rules and regulations
as to rank, pay, &C., governing tho
United States Military. Those enroll
ing in East Tennessee will be- furnish.
ed with transportation to Nashville,
whore they will DO armed, equipped
and distributOd, under command Of
Gen. Joseph A. Cooper. Companie a,
heretofore organised, will bs prcferr-
cd.
This proclamation will, in due time
DO followed by another, designating
the counties over which | shall de-.
clare Martial Law. the effect of which
will be 10 set aside civil law. and turn
offenders over to the Military, who
will try them, and upon their con-
victinn, dispose Of them in summary
manner.
These Outrages have been long
borne with, in the hope that they
would be abated by the pubic senti-
mont of the respective communities
concerned. Forbearance has now
ceased to be n virtue. The Execu-
tive is not to be brow beaten, cajoled
nor terrified out of the discharge Of
the duties demanded By existing ext
gencies.
All citizens who may not enroll IN.
der this call. are hereby requested
and enjoined 20 usc their utmost en-.
deavors il conjunction with The State
Guards. and otherwise, 10 restore and
preserve the peace aud dignity nf this
commonwealth, and all eitiseua are
also hereby warned against harbor-
ing those masked marsuders called
Kukluk KIans, or giving them aid and
countenAnee.
The Governor is determind TO mako
tho State Guards sufficiently numer.
ons and effective, and TO continue
them ia the field sufficiently long. I'M.
ill MiddleAnd West Tennessee, are as
orderly and secure, as, happily, EAst
Tennessee is to-day.
In testimony whereof l have sign.
cd the foregoing, and affixed tho
Great Seal Of the State, this twentieth
day Of January, A. d 1859.
[SEAL] WILLIAM 6. BRowSLow.
1a- F. P. Pierpont, formerly Ad-
fnNant Eana.aI ~ Wo.t U:.- IL