  We present a generalization of the Sutherland's multicomponent model. Our
extension includes both the ferromagnetic and the antiferromagnetic t-J model
for any value of the exchange coupling J and the hopping parameter t. We prove
rigorously that for one dimensional chains the ground-state of the generalized
model is non-degenerate. As a consequence, the ordering of energy levels of the
antiferromagnetic t-J model is determined. Our result rigorously proves and
extends the analysis carried out by Sutherland in establishing the phase
diagram of the model as a function of the number of components.
