The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1869-02-19
Gov. BrOWnlOw'S Resignation.
STATE OF TENNESSEE,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.,

To the Members Of the General assembly
of Tennessee;
GENTLEMEN: ! herewith tender my
resignation as Governor ofTennessee
TO you, az the representatives of the
loyal people of the State, the resigna-
ton to take effect on Thursday, the
18th inst.
The occasion serves to express my
profound sense of obligation to the
officers and members ofyour respective
Houses for your faithful and gener-
Gus cooperation with mo in the en-
deavOr to administer the State gov.
eminent for the protection of the loyal
people thereof, aud for the quiet and
welfare of all the citizens; and, also,
to say that if there have been any
lack of complete realization OF these
objects, the fault has not beer from
want of purpose and effort on my
part, nor of cooperation on yours.
1t has been my study and labor to
bring Tennessee up from the ruins in
which she was left by the war, to
that degree of material prosperity
and progress to which she is so EN-.
i%nently entitled; to develop her ample
resources; render efficient all her char,
table and educational enterprises, and
maintain her financial d%ignity-in a
word, to place upon her the crown of
dignity she so well deserves to wear.
There can be no doubt our success
in all these respects would have been
far greater but for the fierce hostility
with which the administration has
been fought, from the beginning and
at all points, by the rebel element.
Probably no man ever filed the office
who encountered equal opposition to
that through which it has been my
lot to pass.
How far We have succeeded in our
honest purposes and earnest efforts,
even under these disadvantages, the
present condition of the State, with
her industries active, her financial
credit sustained, her old lines Of COM
merce in full Opration with new ones
opening; her school system in fair
working, and her eleemosynary in,
stitutions all crowded and sustained,
and her future smiling with so much
of promise, will sufficiently attest.
Feeling, as | do. u lively and abid-
ing interest in the future welfare o!
the State, and of the Union Republican
party Of Tennessee, my regrets on re-
firing would be greater were it not
that the gentleman who will succeed
me for the remainder Of my term
the honorable Speaker of the Senate,
Mr.. De Witt G. Senter-is a loyal
man, capable, tried, and trusty, who
is sound in his principles and who will
steadily adhere to them upon the
platform Of the Union Republican
party Of Tennessee.
1t will be my honor as well as
pleasure, in the new official position
to which you have called me-to re-
present, in part, our State in the
Senate of the United States, to watch
over and observe to her interests with
as much ofability and fidelity as | may
If, at present, owing to my physical
fecbleness, it shall be impossible to
make my voice heard in the Senate
chamber nv constituents may be
assured | shall be found voting, in all
cases in favor OF the principles, We in
common so earnestly cherish.
Thanking you, gentlemen, for your
generous official confidence and cour.
tcsy, invoke upon you. and the great
State yon represent, the blessings Of
an all-watchful and benignant Proyi.
drnce.
w. G. BRowNLow.