Year: 1865

T nAtlO4o nave AUOkcO WlLn a.


tonishment upon theimmense strengtl
, put forth BY the two sections durinl


the war, and they cannot fail to under
: stand the inVincibility and power O


the government, which unites in h2r.


monious concert the whole strength o
the two gigantic belligerents; Will,


they would readily appreciate the di


minished strength of this great power


If roots of bitterness are constantly


springing up and bearing the fruits Of


discord and sectional hate


When slavery has been abolished,
believe the present chief magistrate oi
the United states who, having sprung
from the mass of the people, and by
his industry, energy and ability having
passed through almost every grade OF
Office from the lowest to the highest,
may justly be styled representative
man, will cast his immense power
and influence into the scale of equal
rights and popular government, and
will leave the States, when recognized,
the undisturbed management of their
own internal affairs, including the ques-
tions of suffrage, police, the regulation
of labor, etc, etc. |, therefore, recon-
mend the people Of Georgia to give his
administration a cordial support


also commend every citizen, who is
| allowed to do so, and who expects to re-
main in the country, TO take the oath
and qualify himself to vote, and 10 par
ticipate in the future government of
the State. Suppose the mass of our
citizens refuse 70 take the oath and
qualify themselves as voters, under the
rules prescribed by the President, what
will be the result The few who do
qualify, whatever may be their charae-
ter, win elect delegates of their own
number to represent their respect coun-
ties in the convention which is to shape
the constitution of the State for the fu-
ture government of all. | think all
should take the oath and observe it in
good faith, snd do al they can TO elect
their Wisest and best men as represen- I
tatiyes, that all the different interests
Of the State may be protected as far as
possible, and her honor and credit |
maintained against an unwise and un-
Just legislation, Many conscientious /
men object to taking the oath because /
they believe the proolamations and acts |
Of Congress during the war on the sub
iect of slavery are unconstitutional, and |
they are not willing to swear to abide |
By and support them. 1t must be re-
membered that the proclamation |
of President johnson tenders par,
don to ell who are not excepted,
if they take the oath. The par
don, then, is conditional, and while
the President does not interfere with
any ones opinion on the constitutional
question, he requires as condition to
the exsention of cleraency, that he who
receives the pardon and is allowed to
retain the balance of his property, shall
give up his slaves. The proclamation
Of President Lincoln declared the
slaves to be fee, To abide by and sup
port 1t Is simply 10 treat them as free.
Every intelligent man in Georgia who
has taken the pains to- investigate the
question, must see that slavery is now
at en- end. The oath simply requires
that each so treat it The other por-
ton of the oath is not Objectionable
Every man should be willing to sup
port the constitution of government
if be intends to live under it and to act
the part of good citizen. II he docs
not he should seek home and protee-
ton elsewhere.


will only add in conclusion that l
shall carry with me into my retirement
q lively appreciation of the generous
confidence which you have so long re-
posed in me, and my constant prayer to
God will be for your prosperity and hap
piness.


am, very respectfully,


Your felloW-citizen and obt servt,


JOSEPH E BROwN


MiIledgeville, June 90, 1865.