Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The reorganization meeting at the Capitol last night was largely attended. Hon. M. M. Brien presided, assisted by Colonel Pickens, of East-Tennessee, and Joseph Ramsey, Esq., of Bedford, as Vice Presidents. The meeting was addressed by James S. Fowler, Esq., Colonel Edwards, of East-Tennessee, Captain E. C. Hatton, and Governor Johnson. A lengthy preamble and the following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, 1. That we recognize the authority and duty of the Executive of the United States, or such agents and instruments as he may constitutionally appoint, and employ, in cooperation with the legislative and judicial departments of the Government, to secure to the loyal people of any State of the United States the constitutional guarantee of a republican form of government.

Resolved, 2. The people being the rightful source of all power of government, the welfare of the people of Tennessee will be best secured by committing the restoration and permanent establishment of civil government to a constitutional convention, to be chosen by the loyal citizens of the State; and having implicit confidence in the integrity of Hon. Andrew Johnson, Military Governor of the State, we submit that he may call such a convention of the State at any time, when in his judgment the State can be represented from all her parts.

Resolved, 3. As slavery was the cause of all our trouble, and as it is an unmitigated evil in itself, and since it may be considered dead by the acts of its friends, that it may never be resurrected, to enable a small minority to bring the ruin upon our children that it has given us, we here pledge ourselves to use all our influence to elect such men, and only such men, as delegates to said convention as shall be in favor of immediate and universal emancipation, now and for ever. And we invite our fellow-citizens everywhere to unite with us on this platform, and we use this opportune moment to free ourselves and our posterity from the bondage in which we have been so long enslaved, by the influence of a dominant aristocracy.

Resolved, 4. That on the call of said convention, it shall consist of delegates duly elected from the respective Senatorial and Representative districts under the last constitutional apportionment.