Year: 1862

..ss<'..
eminent Of the United States could not
be unmindful of its high constitutional
obligation to guarantee to every State in
this Union a republican form Of govern.
ment, an obligation which every State
has direct and immediate interest in
having observed toward every other
State, and from which, by no action on
the part of the people in any State. can
the Federal government be absolved. a
Republican form of government, in con
sonance with the Constitution of the
United States, is one of the fundamental
conditions of our political existence, by
which every part of the country is alike
bound, and from which no part can es.
cape. This is the obligation the national
government is now attempting to dis
charge. | have been appointed, in alb
sence of the regular and established State
authorities, as Military Governor for the
time being, to preserve the public prop
erty OF the State, to give protection Of
law actively enforced to her citizens, and
as speedily as may be. to restore her gov
eminent to the same condition as before
the existing rebellion.


In this grateful but arduous undcrtak
ing, shall avail myself of all the aid
that may be afforded by my fellow citi,
zens. And for this purpose l respect
fully, but earnestly, invite all the people
of Tennessee, desirous or willing to see
a restoration Of her ancient government,
without distinction of party affiliation,
or past political opinions, or action, to
unite with me, by counsel anl co operative
agency, to accomplish this great end
| find most, if not all the offices both
State and Federal. vacated, either by act
ual abandonment, or by the action of the
incumbents in attempting to subordinate
their functions of power in hostility to
the fundamental law of the State, and
sub ersive of her national allegiance
These Offices must be filled temporarily,
until the State shall be restored SO far to
its accustomed quiet that the people can
peacably assemble at the ballot box and
select agents of their choice. Otherwise
anarchy would prevail, and no mans
life or property would be safe from the
desperate or unprincipled.


shall, therefore, as early as practica-
Bile, designate for various positions under
the State and county governments from
my fellow citizens, persons of probity
and intelligence, and bearing true allegi
ancc to the Constitution and Government
of the United States, who will execute
the functions of their respective offices
until their places can be filled by tho &C.
ton of the people. Their authority
when their appointments shall have been
made, will accordingly be respected and
observed.


To the people themselves, the protec.
ton of the Government is extended. AL
their rights will be duly respected and
their wrongs rcdressed when made known
Those who through the dark and weary
night of the rebellion have maintained
their allegiance to the Federal govern
ment, will be honored. The erring ant
misguided will be welcomed on their re
turn.


And while it may become necessary
in vindicating the violated majesty of tn
law, and in re-asserting its imperial swa,
to punish intelligent and conscious treas
on in high places, no merely retaiatory
f or vindictive policy will be adopted. II
those, especially, who in private, unofli
cial capacity have assumed an attitude o
hostility to the government, full an,
complete amnesty for all past acts an,
= declarations is offered, upon the condi
q tion of their again yielding themselve
$ peaceful citizens TO the just supremacy q
!, the laws. This | advise them to do fo
| their own good, and for the peace an
welfare of our beloved State, endeare
to me by the associations of long and &C
tive years, and by the enjoyment Of he
highest honors.


And appealing to my fellow citizen
of Tennessee, l point them to my lon
5 public life as pledge for the sincerity {
my motives and an earnest desire for tn
performance of my present and futur
, duty.


ANDREW JOHNSON.