Union League of America Circular
This circular was distributed before the Tennessee gubernatorial election of 1868 in order to explain why the Conservative Party of Tennessee and their candidate, Emerson Etheridge, should be neither elected nor believed. It quotes the seven planks of that party's platform and elaborates upon section three, about restoring the franchise to former rebels, and section four, claiming that former enslavers are the best hope for the Black citizens of Tennessee. It then says why taxes are necessary to pay for the debts incurred by the Conservatives and the militias hired to protect Union men from Rebels. It closes by likening the election to a battle with the same issues as the recent War.
Dates
- circa 1867
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Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
This circular was distributed before the Tennessee gubernatorial election of 1868 in order to explain why the Conservative Party of Tennessee and their candidate, Emerson Etheridge, should be neither elected nor believed.
Biographical/Historical Note
The Union League of America was organized by liberal union sympathizers in 1862, beginning in Tazewell County, Ohio. During the War, they raised funds for sick and wounded soldiers, and during Reconstruction, they spread South to promote Black franchise. They gathered the new Nlack voters into local councils where they were praised, empowered, and required to vote Republican. Parson Brownlow was very supportive of these efforts, and spoke at many of their meetings. Shortly after arriving in the South, conservative whites responded to their efforts by organizing the Ku Klux Klan. The League died out in the early 1870's.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Special Collections purchased this circular in 2000.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository