Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-05
Tn. AtrocIous Designs Of the Enemy


Since civilization has dawned upon mankind, no
war comparable in atrocity to the one now being
carried on by the Northern people against the
South. Is recorded on the pages of history. From
careful study of the passions that have been arous
el, the dupicity that has marked the of the
Government and the mOnstrous professions that it
svows-tO rule the South and whip its people into
submsson-we are forced to the conclusion that a
war of determination or submission has been deci-
ded on by the Black Republican party.
1t is true that policy has hitherto yelled this most
cruel and bloodthirsty design as far as mere words
could cloak and conceal the intent But as the mil
itary power Of the Government has increased in
volume, and encouragement has been given to its
unconstitutional proceedings by the people of the
North the intensity of its savage violence has rsen
and its recognized organs not restrain the utter
ance OF savage menaces, which clearly demonstrate
the dnimus to destroy and desolate our land and to
reduce us to absolute submission. These organs
daily boil over with fury and with threats of dcs-
truction against our people. The Washington cor
respondent of the New York Times in letter dated
May 3D. INDUCES in the following free and furious
comment upon the position Of England, with refer
ence TO the Confederate States
If England, thus warned thinks proper to give
aid and comfort TO the rebels, the Administration
will accept and meet the emergency in a proper
spirit and before the contest thus invited is closed
there will be no longer Kingdom of Cotton
The armies az the Free States J1H be armies Of liberia
ton and every pound of cotton that England BUYS
1cill be the product Of free nle=.
If let alone by the European Powers, We shall
only scotch this slave snake. II bey interfere ,re
supply Of cotton TO lrbich she bellies her prOfsS
sioHS and her peaTiOus practice.
That this is no idle threat is plainly evinced by
the action of Gen. BoNBAsTEs FURIoso BUTLER at
Fortress Monroe, in protecting the fight of free
negroes within his line and refusing to surrender
them, the demand of their masters; and the sub
sequent full appreciation of his course by the United
States Government
This appreciation is found in the following letter,
addressed to Gen. BUTLER, BY the Secretary of
War:
WASHINGTON May 80, 1861.
"SIR: Your action in respect to the negroes who
came within your lines, from the service of the
rebels, is approved. The Department is sensible of
the embarrassment which must surround officers
conducting military operations in q State. by the
laws of which Slavery is sanctioned. The Govern
ment recognize the rejection by any State of
its Federal obligations, resting upon itself among
these Federal obligations, however no one can
be more important than that Of suppressng and dis
persing any combination of the former for the pur-
pose OF overthrowing its whole constitutional au
thority. While, therefore, you will permit no inter
ference. by persons under your command, with the
relations persons held to servltude under the laws
ofany State you will on the other hand so long as
any State within which your military operations are
conducted remain under the control Of such armed
combinations, refrain from surrendering 10 alleged
masters any persons who come within your lines
You will employ such persons in the services to
which they will be best adapted. keeping account
of the labor by tEem performed Of the value of it
and the expenses of their maintenance. The cues
ton of their final disposition will be reserved for
future determination. SIMON CAMERON,
Secretary Of War
ITO Major-General BUTLER"
This Secretary here forbids interference with
slaves in the hands of their owners but directly en-
courages them to throw themselves under the pro-
lection of the invading army and forbids the
der OF such slaves to their masters This is robbie
ry without the manlness TO avow the intent. 1t is
but the c, mmencement of carrying into execution
the menace of the Times, to cultivate cotton with
free men. 1t fully justi6es the worst prophecies
of Southern men, with regard to the ultimate
designs of the Black Republicans TO destroy our
institutions, make freemen of the slaves and slaves
of the freemen. And is there man in this com
munity who yet openly and boldly adheres TO a
Government, which cherishes these fendish pur
poses, and which would subjugate the freemen of
the South, by biocKading them, by numbering them,
by invading them, by lberating among them four
millions of slaves, who are now happy, but once
accustomed TO wild RIGHTEOUSNESS, would become
the curse Of man and the scOurge of Cod Is there
one who adheres to Union that is sending upon the
sacred soil, where repose the ashes Of Washington,
their armed hordes, TO desoate the fields, overrun
the capital aud humble the patriotic pride of the
people? We regret 10 Ste, from the following
circular. which we understand is being
scattered broadcast that there is one in
Nashville, who boldly stands up for this degraded
LINCOLN despotism palliating its acts, excusng its
enormities and denying its designs, as Will be
from a circular published elsewhere.
We had hoped, that when this spirit of utterly res
ducing the South TO submission should be embodied
in acts, when the soil Of slave ttes should be in
Vaded by the largest armies ever marshalled on
this continent, when millions of money being
expended and hundreds of troops being thrown into
the Held, contrary to law, and after Congress had
declined to sanction such proceeding to invade
the SOUTH when all our seaports should be block
Aled there would not be found one so poor as to do
reverence to the tyrants that would Cypress u.s. de-