Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-27
Declaration OF Grievances OF sl,e East ZEN

with but few exceptions, in DO part of the State
other than East Tennes In the larger parts OF
Middle and West Tennessee, no speeches or discus
sions in favor Of the Union were permitted. Unior
papers were not allowed TO circulate. Measure.
we're taken IN some parts of West Tennessee in de-
fance Of the Constitution AND laws, which allow
folded tickets TO have the ballot numbered n sucf
| m n Ter as 10 mark and expose the Union votes.
Dsunion paper. the Nashville Gazette in urging the
people to vote an open ticket declared that "a THE
takes pocket book nr effects an entrance into for
b lden places by ST sithy means-a tory, in voting
usually adopts pre- much the s. N course of pro-
cedure." Disunion'sts. in many places, had charge
| of ia polls and Mon men. when voting were oe-
| nuunceu IS Lincolnites and Abotionists. The una
nimity Of the votes in many large counties Where,
| bpt few weeks ago, the Union sentiment was SO
| strong, proves beyond doubt that ohlo1 men
| We're oyerawed by the tyranny OF tne mlltary
| power and still greater tyranny OF c1EruPS q ~
| subsidized press In the city OF memphis where
| 5sI3 votes ,vera csst but five freemen had the
courage to vote for the Union ana THESE were sug-
matzed in the public press as lRnorsnt traitors
/ who opposed the the popular edIct Our earnest
appeal to our brethren IN tS oler DIVISIONS OF the
State was nubshed then only to small extent, ard
tho members and nam of these who composed our
Coant;on ms well as the counties they represented
sunnressed and the effort made to impress the
minds of the people thai East Tennessee was favor
IN 70 & cessiou The Memphis appeal promi-
INT Disunion paper. published false account OF
| our proceedings under the head-"THE TRAITORS IN
| C,UNcTL and styl led us. who represented every
rou lty but two East Tennessee the little batch
OF affected rdtJrS who hover around the noxious at
mosphere of Andrew Jollnson's home Our meeting
was telegrspGed TO the o. Data and is was falsely
said that we had passed resolution recommend
ing submission if 1000 votes were not cas-. against
Secession. The dispatch added that "THE SOUTHERN
RIGHTS MN ARE DETERMINED TO HOLD POSSESSION OF
TIE STATE THOUGH TREY SHOULD BE IN A MINORITY y
Volunteers were allowed TO vote in and out of the
State, in fsgrant violation of the Constitution
From the moment the election was over, and before
any detailed statement of the vote in the different
counties had been published, and before it was pos
sibe TO ascertain the result 1t eXultingy pro-
claimed that separation had been carried by from
10000 TO 10000 votes. This was to prepare the
public mind TO enable "the Secessiouists to hold
possession of the State though they should be IN
minority The final result Is to @ announced by a
Disunion Governor, whose existence depends upon
the success of secession and no rovisien is made
by law for an examination of the vote by disnter-
ested persons or even for contesting the election
For these and other causes, we do not regard the
result of the election expressive of the will of
a majority Of the freemen OF Tennessee. Had the
election everywhere been col Quoted as it was
IN East Tennessee we would entertain q different
opinion Here, no effort was made to suppress Sc
cesson papers or prevent secession speeches or
votes, although an overwhelming mslority OF the
people were against secession. Here, no effort has
been made u prevent the formation of military
companies or ODSlruCL transportation OF 0TnlvS
or to prosecute those who violated the laws of the
United States and of Tennessee against treason
the Union men of EIst Tennessee anxious to be
neutral in the contest were content 10 enjoy their
own opinions aud to allow the utmost latitude of
opinion and action TO those who itIered from them
Had the liberation prevailed in other parts OF
the State we have no doubt that majority of our
people would have voted 10 remain in the Union.
ut, if this view Is erroneous, we have the same
ian es we think. q much better) right to remain
in the Government Of the United States than ii e
other division VI Tennessee have 10 secede from It,
We prefer TO remain attached to the Government
Of our fathers. The Constitution of the United States
has done US no wrong The Congress OF the United
States has passed no law TO Cypress The Presi-
dent of the United States has made threat against
the law-aoiding people of Tennessee. Under the
Government OF the United States we have enjoyed
a nation more of civil and religious freedom than
any other people under the whole heaven. We be-
eye there Is no cause for rebellion secession
the part of the people of Tennessee. None was as
signed by the Legislature in their miscaed Delara
ton of Independence No adequ ate cause can be as
signed. The select committee Of that body asserted
gTUsl and inexcusable fslsehood IN their address
To the people of renness when they declared that
tie Government OF the COited States has made
u on them. The secession cause has thus far been
sustained by deception and falsehoOd; by false
hoods as TO the action Of Congress by false dis
patches as to battles that were never fought and
victories that We're never won by false accounts
the purpose of the President; by false repre-
Sc nations as 40 the views of Union men and by
se preteses rs the facility with which the Se>
cesion troops would take possession of the Capitol
and capture the highest officers of the Government
The cause of secession or rebellion has NO charms
fer and its progress has been mark. by the most
alarming and dangerous attacks upon the public
liberty. Ia other States, as well our own, its
whole course thr, atens TO snaihdale the last YES
uRe of eedom. While peace and prosperity have
bl Ssed u in the Government Of the United States,
the following may be enumerated as sore OF the
fruits OF secession
Ii was urged forward by members of Congress
who were sworn TO support the Constitution OF the
United States and themselves Supported by the
Government;
1t was effected without consultation with all the
States interested in the slavery question and with
out eNhtusJIng peaceable measures;
Il has plunged the country INTO civil war. para
i eel our commerce, iEterfered with the whole |
trade and business Of cur country. essened the val
le OF property destroyed many OF the pursuits
0f life ant bus fair to involve the whole nation in
bankruptcy and ruin;
Il has changed the entire relations of States and
adopted constitutions without submitting them a
vote Of the people, and where such vote has been
authorized It has been upon the condition prescTb
ID 10y Senator Mason of Virginia, that those who |
voted the Union ticket MUST LEAVE THE STATE
Ii has advocated constitutional monarchy, 4 /
King and Dictator, and Is through the Richmond |
press at this moment, recommending TO the COuyen !
ion in Virginia restriction of the right of suf- |
rage, and in severing connection with the Yankees
o abolish every UeStjge 4 resemblance 10 the Sthu
ions Of that deteStei race"
II has formed military leagues, passed military
bills, and opened the door for oppressive taxation,
without consulting the people and then, IN mOckery
# free election, has required them by their votes
o sanction lis usurpations under the penalties
II moral prescription or at the point Of the bay
met
IL has offered 4 premium for crime in directing
he discharge of Volunteers from criminal prose
utions and in recommending the Judges not to
old heir Courts.
1t has stained our statute book with the repudia-
ion OF Northern debts and has greatly violated the
Constitution by attempting, through Its unlawful
attention, 10 destroy the rights of suffrage.
II has called upon the people IN the State of Gcor
IA, and mag so n require the pc PIE of Tennessee,
0 contribute all their surplus Cotton corn, wheat
aco1, beef &c, 10 the support Of pretended gov
rnnents alike destitute OF money and credit.
1t has attempted TO destroy the Accountability OF
ub!ic servants TO the people by secret legislation
nj has set the obligation OF an oath at defiance.
Il has passed laws declaring il Treason TO say or
o anything in favor OF the Government Of the
jnited States, against the Confederate States,
nd such law is nov before, and we sPprehcnd
will soon be passed by the Legislature OF Tennes-
ee
tier y PROSTATE the freedom OF speech and Of the
TCss.
1t has involved the Southern States in war
those success Is hopeless, AMI which must ulJi-
latey lead TO the ruin of the people.
lis big tied, oyerbearng AMI uJplerant spirit has
lready subjected the people Of East Tennessee 10
lLny petty grievances; people have been in
llJed; flags have been fired upon and torn
own; our houses have been rudely entered; our
ImilIes subjected 10 insult; peaceabe meetings
Interrupted; our women and children shot AZ by
lercess soldlery; our towns pillaged; our citizens
0b0ed and scme Of them assassnltcd and muir
cred.
No effort has been spared TO deter the Union men
{ East Tennessee from the expression of their free
luughts. The penalties Of treason has been threat
bed against them, and murder and assassination ,
ave teel openly encouraged by leading secession
urnSls. As secession has been thus orerbearing I ,
ID intolaraut while in the minority in East Times
C, nothing better can he expected Of the pretend
majority, than wild, unconstitutional and oppIes-
We legislation. an utter contempt and lsregare of
"; determination to force every Union man in
lie State 70 swear to the support Of Constitution I
abhoTs, 20 yield his money and property
aid cause he Getssts and 10 become the object of
orn and derisiUn as we'll the victim of ntOler !
,le AMI relentless oppression.