“And I further direct that General Cooper distribute these troops at once and continue them in service until unmistakable evidence is given by all parties of a disposition to keep the peace.
“W. G. Brownlow,
“Governor of Tennessee.”
The counties named in the proclamation were among the richest and most populous in the State. Their prominent citizens were unanimous in condemning what they conceived to be the tyrannical and arbitrary action of the Governor. The following is a fair sample of the numerous protests made through the public press[18] :
“Nashville, February 21, 1869. I see that martial law is declared over the county of Lawrence, the county I have the honor to represent, which I must acknowledge greatly astonished me, for I know of no person or persons who complained of any depredations in the county, or that there was any difficulty at all in enforcing the law in said county; but on the contrary, the people of the said county are at this time, and have been for some months past, more peaceable, quiet, and law-abiding than they have been for the past ten years; and only a few days ago James H. MacKay, sheriff, Ira J. Brown, clerk of the Circuit Court, and other officials of said county in a written communication to the Governor, stated that there was no difficulty in enforcing the civil law in said county, and consequently no necessity for the militia or other troops to enforce law, all of whom are men of respectability and worthy of credit, and the persons specially named above were soldiers of the Federal army during the late Rebellion, and are all now, and always have been, members of the Radical Republican party.
“I am at a loss to know why troops should have been quartered upon the people of my county without consulting their immediate Representative. I think surely some person or persons have made misrepresentations to the Governor, and sincerely hope that the order will be revoked and save my people the mortification and expense of having troops quartered amongst them in times of profound peace. ‘Let us have peace.’
“W. P. H. Turner,
“Representative, Lawrence County.”
Governor Brownlow answered these protests by declaring his intention to further extend the sway of martial law. But fortunately for the peace of the State, only a few days of his term as Governor remained. Under his successor the troops were withdrawn and the military laws were repealed. A state of tranquillity quickly ensued.
[14] Acts of Tennessee, 1867-68, p. 22.
[15] Acts of Tennessee, Extra Session, 1868.
[16] See Why the Solid South, by Hilary Herbert, and others.