Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-17
ruE CASE "a GEoRGIA.

are said TO be quite yoluminous, and en-
brace a large number of kilograms from
Gems. Sherman and Terry, and several
letters from Gov. Bullock, Capt. Bryant
and others. 1t appears that on the day |
the bill in question was passed Gen.
Terry telegrsphed saying he hoped the
President would not put him in conn
mand. He was appointed the next day,
however, the President saying he consid-
cred that Terry could execute the deli
cate and responsible duties imposed by
the bill better than any one else.
Sherman said he concurred in this
opinion, and hoped Gen. Terry would
cheerfully conform TO the order, adding,
'eDo not remove any of the State officers
at present, but let matters continue until
necessity arises" Ten days later Gen.
Terry says he has become convinced that
his assignment to the command was,
under all circumstances, proper enough,
and expresses the opinion that be should
be clothed with all the powers given by
the original reconstruction acts. Such ex-
plicit authority from the President would
probably prevent any necessity for its use.
The President at once issued the necessary
orders in the premises. Gen. Terry then
reports the organization of the Senate and
the condition of things in the House, and
inquiries if he has power to investigate
the question of the eligibility of members
of the Legislature, or should the taking of
the oath by them be conclusive. @Gen.
Sherman answers by telegram;
'eYour dispatch was shown to the Presi-
| dent and Secretary of War. The result
is in these words Exercise your own
discretion; if fragrant case arise when a
disqualified person proposes to take the
| oath, investigate the question of legality
and determine for the time being this
right. ,"
On the following day Gen. Terry says
he thinks the Legislature with all its mem
bers would adopt the fifteenth amendment
for the sake of getting rid of the army,
but he doubts if it would, without puri-
fication, pass the necessary laws to put
down the Ku. Klux and protect all classes
of citizens. On the 18th of January Gen.
Sherman answers:
81 will sustain you in the exercise Of
any authority that will maintain, substan-
tally, good order till the State of Georgia
is recognized by the Executive and Con-
gross, and some lawful means be found
by which we can defend our friends
against the Ku-Klux band of assassins. 7"
Terry informs Sherman the trouble in
the Legislature arises from union of a
few Republicans with the Democrats
their pretext is the Governor is dishonest
and has stolen the funds of the State, and
adds: 81 believe the charge unfounded,
and think they are governed by different
motives" Sherman replies:
'EThe use of soldiers should be limited
to maintaining peace. You, on the spot
must be the Judge how far it is wise or
politic to interfere with the component
parts of the Legislature or their proposed
legislation.
Next day Terry sends long telegram
about the charges of perjury against mem
bers of the House, and says he has deter
mined to investigate several cases, and
wants to know if his course is approved.
Sherman submits the dispatch to the
President and Cabinet, and answer ''gO
ahead cautiously; the President says you
are doing right and he will sustain you. "
Terry then sends along the protest of
Bryant and others against the course he
and Bullock were pursuing, and as to his
power for removing sheriffs and others
who failed in their duty. This was sub
mitted to the President, md Sherman
replies that Terry is sustained against Bry-
ants protest; that removals and appoint
ments must be made by him, and not by
the Governor, and that the Legislature
should be organized as soon as possible,
including all members duly elected, sub
ject to the oaths prescribed, the conditions
of the reconstruction acts, and excluding
only fragrant cases, to be determined by
himself. Terry next reports, and says he
is proceeding with the investigation as
rapidly as possible, and asking if he can
allow persons who were next highest in
number of votes to take seats in place of
members found disqualified This was
laid before the Cabinet, and Sherman tel
legraphed in reply as follows:
'Decide all questions as they arise, and
do not depend on us here to determine
absolutely the questions of doubt, for the
| Attorney General thinks you are the only
mower there other than that reserved to
itself by Congress. You are
expected TO use your own judgment and
discretion on all points, and the Presi-
dent viii sustain your action"
On the 26th of January, Terry reports
the organization of the House. He had
investigated fourteen cases only, three OF
which were found ineligible, and these
persons he excluded. He says sixteen
more declined to take the oath, and there
fore were not admitted. His final judg-
ment is that he had no authority to give
the vacant seats to the persons who re-
ccived the next highest votes, and they
therefore remain unoccupied. Not
withstanding Gen. Terry's decision
on this point, the vacant seats
were given to the persons who re-
ccivcd The next highest number of votes,
by the order of Gov. Bullock, and there
is no doubt it is sanctioned by Terry.
This recital of the leading points of the
correspondence between Sherman and
Terry, viii show the manner in which
Georgia has been manipulated into a Radi-
cal State. 1t is noticeable that all of
Ter-y's usurpations were sanctioned by
Grant and his cabinet. 1t is now clear
that any thing which would convert a
State to Radical rule would be sanctioned
by them.