Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-08
Andy johnson at Athens.

ATHENS, TENNESSEE, May 9th, 1851.
Editors Union and american The manner in
which East Tennesseans have heretofore been de-
servedly spoken of, is almost enough to make one
dIsclam any connexlon with them but take pride
in being able to say that East Tennessee is now very
nearly unit.
ANDY JOHNSON spoke here on Friday last.that fin
ished the work here.
Great was the feeling ofindignation of an injured
people. whose trust had been betrayed. His ears
were constantly greeted with exclamations-an
issary of LINCoIN-an agent of the devil-a traitor
to your county, and like epithets. His color went
but it came not while be stood on that goods box.
He saw he had ventured too far, and trembled for
the consequences. Although much effort had been
made on the part of t0o or three individuals to get up
a crowd the number present was small, and ma
jor1ty of them, after hearing hin awhile, would
have been quite willing to have seen him taken
| down and soundly cowhided, as slight indication
Of their feelings and a warning to him in the future
Many are at a loss as to his object in making such
speeches. (of course you know their character) but
every one can plainly that their only tendency is
to divide US at home, not only preventing our act
ing according to the dictates of reason and sense
of honor and justice, and unite in common cause
of selfpreservation and right. but actually engen-
dering a civil strife right in our very mdst-the
worst of all evils! Viewing it in this light, he
would not again be suffered to occupy stand in
this country. If Through the invitation Of tloO
three BLACK Republican TcrIss') he were again to
attempt it, "forbearance would cease tc be virtue
and the just wrath of terribly aroused people, +"
would burst over his crown of dishonored locks.
e = oil
right. Numerous companies have been raised.
Some counties furnishing three or four.
On Friday, just as Gov. JOHNSON closed his petit
tions the first Secession flag citizens have seen,
was unfurled on our streets and like the wild eagle
proudly fOated in the genial air Of Southern
breeze. 1t will be unnecessary to say our flag did
not "want for protection when ] make you &C
quainted with a great fact, not, however, one of
ANDY JoHNSoN's great facts who Is q man Of
factions and fctions, but a real fact
that ct least seven Fights of those who
had been listening to ANDY, and had just heard his
last petition, fell into rank and file, and marched
under our flag to the Depot to greet a regiment of
| passing soldiers. Great numbers of the brave and
noble sons of the South are passing here daily.
About ten thoueand have already passed over this
| road, going TO check the madmen of the North in
! their march of oppression and subjugation. They
are brave and determined looking men, and cheer
full, well aware to the danger to which they are
about voluntarily to expose themselves, but know
ing that God is on their side and that if they fall
it viii be in glorious cause. 1t is with cries of
10Y and tears of gratitude that they recognize the
stars and bars of our adopted flag.
Ever may she wave, till time is no more, over
the soil of the South, the land Of the nObest and
most chivalrous people On the face of the earth.