Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-02

10 he Elitsrs Of The Union and Amerscdr:
feel that 1 may reasonably ask the UNION AND
AxEEcAS and other Southern papers that have
copied Statement" which appeaFed over my sig
nature in recent number of the Louisville Journal
to publish the following card
Warned by the wanton interference of the Fed
era authorities with the freedom of the press (ss
seen in St. LOUIS in other towns and cities of Mis-
souri,, in Baltimore, in New York, and elseWhere),
for weeks before the event occurred had ex-
pected the suppression of the Courier would speedily
follow the anticipated occupation Of Louisville by
the Northern forces. I had determined, when
that time should come, to avoid arrest, il possible
and seek further South locality where could
still breathe and think as freeman; and from that
determination never waTered for moment
When advised, on the morning of the 18th inst,
at my residence in the country, that the Courier had
been suppressed by Q. s. Marshall SNEED, in accord
ance with Instructions from Gen. ANDERsoS, and
that the q. S. Marshall and his deputies were
deayoring to accomplish nay arrest at once placed
myself out of their way, but still sufficiently Rear
to communicate with my friends, and through them
transact some business important to me.
During the two days / thus remained near home,
Twas earnestly appealed to by political friends to
endeaTor to effect some arrangement by which the
publication of the Courier might be continued,
though it should be srspapsr strictly, politics
being ignored in its editorial columns. They reason
ed that the facts are now the strongest arguments
against the Administration; = knowledge of its
usurpations and atrocities are alone sufficient to
unite the people in defence of their constitutional
rights and their liberty the entire suspension of the
make the people of Kentucky dependent upon the
tory papers of Louisville for information Of current
events; and it would be better to print the Courier
upon almost any terms involving no sacrifice Of
principle than to thus leave the public mind entire
" at thsmercy of these INSCRIPTIONS mouth-pIeces
of tyranny which have Systematically perverted or
entirely suppressed facts necessary to correct
understanding of the condition of public affairs.
Influenced by these considerations, and also, to
some extent by the fact that fifteen twenty men,
the heads of families, the most Of whom had been
engaged in the Office for years. would be thrown out
of situations at time when they could not procure
others, and desiring time to arrange nay businsI
and get fair start Southwark, opened negotiA
tions through friends, with Gen. ANDERSON for the
resumption of the publication of the Courier. Ipre-
posed to print it as neutral paper, ignoring politics
in its editorials, and devotiEg it wholly to local and
general news and miscellaneous matter, publiahing
nothing as news by which the Confederate authori-
ties would be advised of contemplated movements
of the Federal forces in that vicinity.
Gen. ANDERSON demanded as a condition prece-
dent to the pubIication'Of the paper thst should
write and publish in its columns first submitting it
to him for approval, an article expressing re;
greet for its past course, and as StRteE-rights pa
per- pledge it to conform to and support the action
and policy of the Kentucky (LNCoIN) Legislature
OF course rejected the demand, informing General
ANDERSON that would prefer to lose property
liberty and life itself.
The statement copied by you from the Louisville
Journal was not only published in that paper with
out my authority, but it is net the one written by
me. My statement was altered in some unimpor
tant particulars ana important explanatory remarks
were entirely omitted. This liberty may have been
taken with my manuscript by friends acting
doubtless from the best of motives; but it
was entirely unauthorized. had not the slightest
expectation sitter his demands, that my statement,
which fell so far short OF Whist he required, would
be accepted by Gen. ANDERSON; and am now sat
isied that the whole object of the Federal author
LEGATION of my card was to inveigle me into the city
and within reach of the officers who had the war;
rant for my arrest. The pretended assent to my
proposition and the publication of the paper, which
under the arrangement would have been carried
on by employees Of the offce), was at once with
drawn when it was ascertained that would not
trust myself in Louisville until Gen. BUCKNER and
the strong right arms Of Thousands of brave Ken
tuckians would open the way for me to
do so as freeman. Although l had
promise from Gen. ANDERSON and his officers Of
immunity from arrest while our negotiations were
penling, placed no confidence in the pledges Of men
who had sold themselves to q faithless and perhd
ious administration, and, as the result proved,
wisely kept out of their power.
The publication OF tie Courier was not only aup
pressed by Gen ANDERSON, but that officer took and
still holds possession Of the entire printing eEtab
lishment, and of the books, papers, and money in
the IRON safe in the counting at the time it
seized and would not and has not allowed any Of
to procure articles Of clothing &C. in it and belong
ing to them.
When Louisville is again free, which, with the
aid rendered by gallant and glorious Tennessee and
the chiv slric South to the freemen OF Kentucky,
will, trust, be- day not far distant the publ
cation of the Courier will be resumed under its
former auspices and its lsbors will be consecrated
to the triumph of the great principles Of civil and
religious liberty it has so long advocated.
Very respectfully, yours &c. W.N, HhDENAN.
Bowling Green, KY Sept. 5Oth, 1861.