Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-06-03
oUR CORRESPONDENCE.



MEssRs EDrroRs: Capt Bennett, Of the john
sol Blues, gave an exhibition of transparent lights
in this vicinity on Tuesday night last, which was
largely attended by the democrats. The meeting
was addressed by DR.. Deason. He made real
democratic talk, and well adapted to the occasion.
At the close Of his speech, the company went
through some mannuvering Mr. VIM. Majors,
of Shebyville, highly respectable citizen, was
called upon to address the crowd He appeared
upon the rostrum amid the appl use of his nj
merous friends. Mr.. Majors said he felt feeble was
not in the habit of public speaking but for the love
he had for democracy he would address them a
short time After patriotic introduction, he sta
ted he was one of those democrats who had un-
fortunately been caught in that damuable scheme
OF restricting mems conscences, called know-no-
thingism. He said before he entered this organi-
cation, some II months ago. he was informed
that the design of the order was to suppress error
politically, religiously and morally, and further
more he was promised, should he become dissatis-
fed at any time, they would honorably discharge
him. With these assurances he started on the
dark and unknown path. Mr.. Majors said he
would not tell the secrets, which he said was mere
moon shine, in relation to initiation but said he
had taken an obligation and oath to keep his own
and the names of other members profound secret.
lie remained in the Council some time when he
was called upon to take an other obligation and
oath, the purport of which was to vote against for
eigners and Catholics, and to support thenominee of
the Council. This caused him to begin to open his
eyes and make some inquiries into the concern.
The time came up to nominate candidates for Gov
ernor, &c. He said that he thought he saw the
design was against Andrew johnson and other
tried democrats. He said they set forth the nom
inees, and out of all of them they gave the demo-
Gratis but one milk and cider democrat He said
he, with several other democrats, became dissat-
sfed and asked for the honorable discharge, which
was reluctantly granted. He said they did have
oaths and obligations which bound the members to
support the nominee of the Council to the exclu-
sion of our own father. He said he had under
stood that the order had threatened his life. He
said he made no pretensions to bravery, but could
be found at Shelbyville at any time. He then
courage the democracy with Andrew Johnson,
the faithful standard bearer, who was defending
their cause so nobly throughout the State
S. N. White was then loudly called for He
made his appearance another witness against this
new tangled order. Mr.. White said he was an
other of those unfortunate democrats who in an
evil hour had been caught mapping. He said he
was about one of the first that joined the Council
at Shelbyville He said he was invited to Odd
Fellows hall to help organize, but when he got there
he found it in full blast which surprised him very
much. He said he took an oath and obligation be
fore he entered the Council to keep his own and
the names of other members an entire secret He
said Mr.. Majors told the TRUTH that they were
sworn to vote for the nominee of the councils Mr.
White then alluded to the canvass in very elo-
quent style, showing emphatically that the true
democratic party was the American party Mr.
White did much credit to the occasion and himself,
which was received with loud applause.
Mr. KNOTT was then called to come forward and
give in his experience, he too had recently seen
Sam, but didn't like his flesh marks. Mr. KNOTT
is plain honest farmer, and was much embarrase-
ed in attempting to speak to such a crowd. He
proceeded in his homespun manner. He said he
| had been persuaded to join the know nothngs
| He said he became dissatisfied aud cramped. he
could not sleep at night for thinking about it. and
said it did not suit his democracy. On last Mon
dsy he went to the president, Mr.. ROBERTSON, in
the town of SheIbyvile, and told him he wished
to be off. The president told him he could not lei
him off unless he would sign an obligation to
keep secret from the world all he knew about
know nothingism. Mr.. KNOTT said he told him
| he would see him in hell before he would do it.
| After some other words between him and the pre-.
sident, Mr. KNOTT told him "he might let off or not
but he would be God damned if he wasn't off at all
hazards" 1t was glorious triumph for democra-
cy and there is but one feeling here and that is to
elect ANDREW JOHNSON Governor. After this, we
suppose no man will doubt that the know nothings
have oaths to bind their members to support the
| nominees of their councils.
Yours, truly,
WILLIAM MURPHY,
ORvILLE HINsLEE,
TOWNSEND FUGETT,