The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-08-20
EAST TENNESSEE,


The Nashville Register publishes the following
proclamation from Gen. Zollicofer, the military
commander of East Tennessee, which we hope
will have its proper influence on those to whom it
is addressed.
To the People of East Tennessee:
In assuming command of the military forces of
this division, | cannot forbear an earnest appeal
to all who have preferred the old Union, no longer
to resist the recent decisions of the ballotbox by
overwhelming ma jorties ofthe people of Tennessee.
The military authorities are not here to offend or
injure The people, but to insure peace to their
homes, by repelling invasion and preventing the
introduction Of the horrors Of civil war. Treason
to the State cannot, will not, be tolerated But
perfect freedom of the ballot-box has and will be
accorded, and mans rights, property or privi-
leses shall be disturbed. All who desire peace
can have peace, by quietly and harmiessy pur-
suing their lawful avocations. But Tennessee
having taken her stand with her sister States of
the South, her honor and safety require that
aid shall be given within her borders to the arms
of the tyrant Lincoln.
We have asked of the North recognition of
our political equality, and have been refused We
have asked for terms merely under which We
could enjoy of safety to our property and
time honored institutions, but in vain Under
such circumstances the States of the South re-
solved to submit no longer to long-repeated and
North was deaf to justice, because they believed
they had the power to crush us if we rebelled.
With terrific threats they moved great armies up
on u.s. Those armies have been driven back with
havoc and CONSERVATION. Heaven has smiled up
on the South, blessing her with rich harvest and
heroic sons The North is already shaken as with
palsy; her late arrogant soldiers filled with ap-
prehension; her late boastcd revenue dwin1led to
stern necessity of direct taxation. Can there be
e
their brothers while thus struggling for honor and
independence, or who would invite the enemy over
the border, to inaugurate war and desolation amid
our own fair fields? There can be but few such
IF any, it were better for their memory had they
persisted before such dshonor. Let not the
Union men of the late contest at the ballot-box, !
among whom personally know so many to be
patriotic and true men, be carried along by excite
ment or passion into SO deplorable an extreme I
Though differing upon the late political questions,
we are all Tenesseeans. For the honor and glory |
of Tennessee let us be, as heretofore, shoulder to
shoulder in battle Or peacefully at home, not sor-
rowing when victory perches on the standards of
Tennessee regiments.
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,
Brigadier- eneral Commanding.
ARREST OF t. r. NELsoN-Messrs Nelson,
Maynard and Bridges claim that they were elect
ed to the Federal Congress from East Tennessee. |
on the 1st inst, and accordingly set the next
day for Washington to take seats in that body. |
Maynard aud Bridges tits supposed, went through |
in safety, reports to the contrary having been !
sent out. Nelson, on the other hand, attempted |
to pass through Virginia, and failed, It is hop
ed all traitors will fail in attempts to reach the
seat of Lincons power through her. Maps con-
tanning a careful and accurate delineaton of all
the mountain passes in East Tennessee from Chat
tanooga to Bristol, were found in his possession
Had he succeeded in passing through Virginia
and reaching Washington, the authorities there
would have been put in possession of full and
accurate statement of our strong and weak points
in East Tennessee, and every pass in the Cumber-
land range would have become known to Scott
and the Federal Army His arrest does seem like
a timely interposition of Divine Providence, as it
may yet save East Tennessee from being drenched
with the blood of our own citizens, and prevent
our soil from becoming the arena of strife between
the Northern and Southern armies
Nelson has been released by the authorities at
Richmond after receiving his pledges for good
behaviour.
FRANCE AND THE CONFEDER