What Governor Brownlow Can Teach Us About the Power of Motive—and the Price of Disingenuous Leadership

By Paul Whitten, Founder of Nashville Adventures

When you’re walking the streets of Nashville on one of our history tours, you’ll hear stories about music legends, Civil War battles, suffragists, civil rights heroes—and yes, even the rougher characters who left their mark on Tennessee’s timeline. But one name that always sparks strong reactions is Governor William Gannaway Brownlow.

Brownlow’s story isn’t clean or easy to explain. But it’s necessary. Because his legacy reminds us of a hard truth: when leaders act out of political self-interest rather than genuine conviction, the consequences can be enormous—and sometimes violent.

At Nashville Adventures, we believe history belongs on the streets where it happened, not behind museum glass. That’s why our Nashville walking tours dig deep into moments like this. Not because they’re comfortable—but because they matter.

Who Was Governor Brownlow?

William G. Brownlow was a firebrand newspaper editor, Union loyalist during the Civil War, and later Governor of Tennessee during Reconstruction. He wasn’t a soft-spoken statesman. He ruled like a man on a mission—though exactly what that mission was is up for debate.

On the surface, Brownlow supported one of the most transformative policies in Tennessee history: granting the right to vote to formerly enslaved Black citizens. But unlike true abolitionists and civil rights advocates, Brownlow’s push for Black suffrage didn’t come from a place of justice. It came from a place of strategy.

He knew that if Black men were allowed to vote, they’d likely vote for him and his allies. And he needed the numbers. Tennessee was fractured in the wake of war, and Brownlow saw enfranchising African Americans as his ticket to maintaining power.

But there was a catch.

“You Can’t Pull the Wool Over My Eyes”

The law passed under Brownlow gave Black Tennesseans the right to vote—but explicitly prohibited them from holding office. The motives behind this were no secret. One African American man from Jackson, Tennessee—Matt Dyer—wrote directly to Governor Brownlow, saying:

“I learn that you and the... legislator passed a law to allow the colored people of this state to vote... but, sir, you have... provided in the law that they shall not hold office... you... can't pull the wool from over my eyes.”

Matt Dyer saw through the strategy, and so did many others. What should have been a powerful moment of enfranchisement instead felt hollow—because it wasn’t rooted in principle. It was rooted in political survival.

The Fallout: How Disingenuous Motives Sparked Violence

When you use a noble cause for a self-serving end, it doesn’t just undermine your credibility—it endangers the cause itself.

Brownlow’s disingenuous push for voting rights created backlash. Not just grumbling from political opponents, but rage that fueled the birth of something much darker: the Ku Klux Klan. Founded in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1865, the Klan rose in part as a violent reaction to the shifting power dynamics Brownlow forced through state government.

Now let’s be clear: Brownlow didn’t create the KKK. But the way he pushed policy—without building trust or seeking long-term healing—helped create the conditions for its rise. Because when people feel manipulated, they don’t fight back with votes. They fight back with fear and force.

What This Teaches Us on Tour—and in Life

Every day on our Nashville walking tours, I see guests react to stories like this with surprise. Many lifelong Tennesseans have never heard it. Others have heard pieces, but not the full context.

That’s the beauty of good storytelling: it helps people connect dots between the past and the present.

We’re not here to glorify or condemn. We’re here to explore the truth—and to show how decisions made in smoky rooms 150 years ago still impact our lives today.

We’re also here to remind folks that history isn’t useful unless you know how to apply it. It’s not about memorizing names and dates. It’s about asking: Have we seen something like this before? What happened last time? What should we do differently now?

That’s why Nashville history on tour matters. That’s why it’s not just entertainment—it’s civic education.

Don’t Mistake Strategy for Virtue

Whether you’re running a business, serving your community, or simply trying to be a better citizen, there’s a takeaway here:

Don’t mistake strategy for virtue. Don’t confuse noise for progress. And don’t let anyone pull the wool over your eyes.

At Nashville Adventures, we believe that Nashville tours should be more than photo ops and fun facts. They should challenge us, inform us, and connect us to the real stories that shaped this city—and still shape it today.

If you want to walk the streets where these events happened, hear the stories that textbooks leave out, and experience the heartbeat of this city through a veteran-owned lens—we’d love to have you join us.

Because history isn’t just in the past. It’s right under your feet.

Ready to walk through history? Join a Nashville walking tour with Nashville Adventures and discover the untold stories of the city—from the rise of Governor Brownlow to the roots of modern-day Tennessee.

Book your spot today at www.NashvilleAdventures.com