Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-11-06
A.. $. CoLYAR TO IsHAM G. HARRIS.
The Ex-GoyernOr's Late Card Replied to
Few Plain Eacss.
NASHVILLE, Oct. 30, 1872.

rev Plann Encss'
NASHVILLE, Oct. 80, 1872.
To the Editor of the Banner:
NV attention has been called to long
letter published in the Memphis appeal
and republished in the Union and Anicri-
can, by Governor Harris, reviewing the
discussion between him and me at Muir
freesboro'. The novelty of this communi-
cation attracted my attention. 1t struck
me that, as the papers at Murfreesboro' had
said all they could conscientiously for the
Governor, being strongly on his side, and
the onion and american had championed
his cause, besides publishing two or three
lengthy communications from Murfrees-
boro', doing the best they could for him,
and especially as he had the conclusion in
the debate, it was rather OVERRIDING the
thing the thing to interview himself, and
i'll a formal letter after he had time to
think, come to his own rescue by review
ing the entire debate.
But upon a careful reading of his review
1 find the only point in the discussion
which created any sensation is admitted as
stated by me. Whatever Governor Har-
ris' friends may have said about the facts
as they were published-now there can be
no controversy about them
1t is now settled that Governor Harris
did openly and publicly, in speech charge
that Mr.. johnson, while Military Cover
nor of Tennessee, take from the people,
without due process of law, about 100000,
and that he charged this to be great
crime, and subversive of the dearest con-
stitution rights,
1t is now settled that it was truthfully
charged in reply that he, the accuser, had,
as civil Governor, taken out of the Bank
of Tennessee, without due process of law,
of the sacred school fund, secured in terms
by the Constitution to the children of the
State for ever, and which no enactment
could touch, 81 500, 703.
1t is now settled that the Governor, az
civil Governor, without due process of law,
not only took this large sum from the
Bank of Tennessee, but, by force, he did
take from the Planters Bank, $500 000, and
that he did, as civil Governor, by force,
take from the Union Bank of Tennessee,
and, of course, without due process of law,
| 100000.
These things, as first denied, are now
settled. And the defense is that it was ia
ken to feed the army.
Now it turns out that a few months af-
| ter this, and when Mr.. Johnson became
Military Governor, he had troops which
| he had to feed, and was without money.
He was with a conquering army and ill a
captured city, and these same two banks
were still here.
Mr.. johnson went down to these two
banks and told them that he had troops to
| feed and had no money, and asked them ii
| they could lend him some money, After
considering the securities, Mr.. Johnson
| borrowed from each of said banks $40, 900,
and gave the individual promissory notes
| of Andrew Johnson" with personal secu
rity-every dollar of which he afterward
| paid, with interest, in legal tenders,
Behold the accuser and the accused.
| Governor Harris says in his review thai
the transactions with the Bank of Tennes
sec were fair, because he turned ever bonds
| under an act of the Legislature.
The converting of the Legislature, anG
| the Governors message, and the act itself
fix beyond doubt the responsibility.
Bonds on a contemplated rebellion
against the United States, in consideration
for the sacred school fund, is worse than 8
forged note on a woodpecker at large, in
payment of spiritual dues.
| A s COISAR