The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-08-30

ton Of our own Tennessee soil against invasion
iom 'nc N9rth,l they will have no reason to be
midst. 'P' :" '"'''
They must see that the policy of the u. s. row.
orhmcht, or rather W.. Lincoia's Gorernnent Is to
overrun and subjugatc us, and they also know
ua, IL y threatening to do this through the passes
OF the Tennessee mountains.
What arc we to do then, But one thing Ia l.f,
u.s. and that Is to place troops at all Of these
points ut which we are most exposed.
rms assurcdly In the face of the facts alluded
10, should form no just ground Of complaint on
the part OF any candid man of sense.
IL Is upon every account desirable that no irri-
| tating language, or any offensive bearing should
ne manifested by tho troops towards citizens in
East Tennessee or elsewhere, and tho Command
ers VIII doubtless sec that this is not done. Your
well known character and position In relation to
the public questions which have agtatcd us, make
| u IN my opinion very proper office for You to
perform, to go to our fellow citizens of East Ten
nessce, and with fraternal words, and unfeigncd
| kindness, to cndcaror to induce them TO wave
their opposition to the decision Of the majority Of
the votes Of the State, and to become hereafter,
as heretofore, n united band Of brothers.
The State Of Tennessee in the history Of the
past has a fame, which among our States has
| been among the most enviable. For Statesman
ship and Military distinction she has been excel
led by none. In the name of all that is hallowed
and precious, let us sec TO it that transmit to
our children an essutchcon unstained by the DO
Inoralising and desolating Influences of social dis
| fractions and conflicts. Concession in a world
like this is inevitable. To bow before the decision
| of msjorities the highest of the duties Of Ameri-
| can Citizenship.
May we not hops then, Gentlemen, that yours
will be a mission Of peace, and that we shall soon
have but one party in the Eastern end Of our be-
loved Tennessee. as there Is but one In tho West
ern and Central Districts; and like tho true pat
riots of our good old Mother, the Old North State,
We shall be one and indvsible.
With ny best wishes for your success, I remain
| respectfully your fcllow-countryman,
LEoSiDAs Polk,
Maj. Gen. Commanding I'd Department c. s. A.
While on the way to Richmond, had
| some conversation with portion of the
Tennessee delegation to the Southern
Congress, ard during my stay there was
| visited 10y various members of Congress
| and other public men connected with the
Southern Confederacy. The intense soli-
citude which was expressed especially by
the most prominent and distinguished Of
the original Secessionists, who, without
any request on my part, volunteered their
kind offices, with generous liberality, in
regard to the Cancellation OF the people of
East Tennessee, and the unusual kind
ness and consideration with which was
treated as q prisoner, convinced me that
| was in error in supposing that the mill
tary power would be exerted for any 9TH
er purpose than that of retaining the Rail
Road and of aggressive acts on our part.
Acting under this changed conviction,
believing that, if were retained as apris-
oner, or punished with death, under any
strained construction of the treason laws,
my friends in East Tennessee would in
either event, retaliate by arresting public
men of the opposite party here; that this
would lead to counter arrests, and that
the horrors of civil war would immediate
to you and to myself that should obtain
my release as soon as possible, on the best
terms 1 could effect without dishonor;
and, after various informal propositions
and consultations, addressed to Prcsi-
dent Davis the following letter:
RICHMOND, Va, Aug. IL, 1861.
| To Hh Erccliency, JEry. DAVIS, President of the
Confederate States:
Sir--I have been arrested, and, as learned
since my arrival in this City, upon tho charge of
treason, but whether against the State Of Tennes-
see or the Confederate States, am not advised.
am conscious Of act, either against the State
or the confedcracy, that will support or sustain
such IN accusation.
am sincerely anxious to preserve the peace
and quiet Of East Tennessee, the section Of the
State in which 1 reside, as best promotve of the
peace and interest Of the entire State. ask to be
discharged from vcxatious prosecution that
may return home peacefully, to follow my private
interests and pursuits, assuring your Excellency
that will not, either directly indirectly, by
COUNSEL advice or action, encourage, aid assist
the United States Government to invade, or attain
success in the present struggle with the Confcdc-
rate States, nor will counsel or advise others to
thwart or cripple the Confederate States in the
pending contest with the United States, nor will
do SO by my own acts.
In view of the increased majority in the cleo
| ton which has just taken place in Tennessee, I
shall feel 1t my duty, as citizen Of that State, to
submit to her late action, and shall rcigiously alb
stain from any further words or acts of condem-
| nation, or opposition to her Government.
The parties arrested with Inc, with the cxcep-
| ton Of my son, who acted by my command, wcre
mere guides and conductors through the moan
tain passes, on my way to my place of desina-
ton, and whatever view may be taken Of my own
| course, they are innocent; in no way responsible
| legally, or morally, and have committed no Of
fence against the laws of the Confcdcracy or tho
| State of Tennessee; and ask that they also be
discharged from custody by your Excellency.
Very respectfully, your ob,t serv't,
THos. A. r. NlLsoS.
To which the following answer was re-
turned:
Sir: have received your letter of the 18th in
| slant, in which you ask to be discharged from az
rest and prosecution, and make promise that you
will "as citizen Of Tennessee submit to her late
action and religiously abstain from any further
words, or acts of condemnation whatever or op-
| position to her Government"
The desire of this Government being to main
tain tho Independence It has asserted, by the uni
ted feeling and action of all its citizens, II has
been its policy not to enter into questions Of DIFF
ferences Of political opinions heretofore existing.
] am therefore pleased TO be spared the neoessi-
| ty Of inquring whether the accusation against
you bo well founded or not, vexatious or not, and
to rest content with your submission as loyal
citizen of your State. to hor recent action in ad-
herring to this Confederscy and adopting its per-
manent Constitution by m increased majority. I
have ordered your discharge and that of your
companions from custody.
Lam, &C., JEFFERSON DAVIS.
To Thos. A. X. Nelson, ESQ.
Since my return home, am thorough
ly satisfied that my friends would have
risked the action I dreaded, and, upon
with my own course in the premises
But, whether it was right or wrong, wise
or unwise, feel bound, as an honorable
man, to act up to the spirit and obligation
I assumed. l shall offer no plea of duress;
because neither the Southern Confedera-
cy, nor any other earthly power, could
have compelled me to make an agree
ment which my judgment and conscience
did not approve in the situation in which
1 was placed. ....
No terms or conditions, express or i'm
piled, public or private, attended my re-
lease other than those plainly expressed
in the two above quoted, but l lave
thought it due to our past relations and
the painful solicitude many of you have
i falt In my hahalf that I shanM thus