, 1861-07-09
=. EASTERN TENNESSEE.
The Union Movementr-DecIArA Of
Grievances adopted by the Convcn-
t1OM.

The Knoxville (Tennessee) Why, of June Is,
brings ns an official report Of the proceedings
Of the Eastern Tennessee Union Convention
which assembled at G.eenville on June II.
The Hon. Thomas A. &. Nelson noted as Pres.
ident: On the fourth daI Of the session the
Declaration OF Grievances and resolutions was
fins1]y adopted as follows, without division:
. DECLARATION or GRIEVANCES.
" We, the people Of East Tennessee, again as
sembled In Convention Of our Delegates,
mako the fo1oNing declaration In addition to
vile, on the 2oth and 3lst 3ays Of May last, :,
So far as We can learn, the election held in
this State onthe 8th day Of the present me- onth,
was free, with but few exceptions, IN no part
Of the State other than Rast Tennessee. In
the larger parts Of the Middle and West Ten-
neesee, no speeches or diacuss1o1s in fayor Of
the Union were Permitted Union papers
we're not allowed to circulate. Measures wera
tskeu in sone parts of West Tennessee, in de-
faCce Of the Constitution and laws, which al :
low folded tickets to LaVethe ballot numbered
IN such manner as to mark and expose the
Union votes.
The final result is to be announced by a dis
union Governor, whose existence depends up
on the success Of secession, and no provision
fs made By law for an examination Of the vote
b5 disintereeted persons, CT even for contest
ing the election. For these and other causes,
NC 90 rot regard the result Of the election as
expressive OF the will Of n,majority Of the free
where been conducted a: 1t was in East Ten
nessee, re would entertain different opinion.
Here no effort was made to suppress secession
papers or prevent secession speeches or votes,
although an overwhelming majority of the
people were aga:nst secession. Here no effort
hack ~ +Hn4H In 81
military companies, or obBtruct the transpor-
t2ticn OF farmies, or to prosecute tn .se who
violated the laws Of the United States and of
Tennessee against tIeason.
We prefer to remain attached to the Govern
ment Of Our fathers. The Constitution Of the
United States has done Us no wrong. The
Congress Of the United States has passed no
ed states has made no threat against the law
abiding people Of Tennessee. Under the
Government Of tie United states we have en-.
joyed, as nation, more IT civil and religious
freedom than my qt5eE People under The
fe1 rebellion or secession on the part Of the
people Of Tennessee. None was assigned b7
the Legislature in their u1igcalled Declaration
assigned.
Tie Select Committee of that body asserted
gross end inexcusatle falsehood in their sd,
declared that the Government Of the United
States had made war upon them The Seces-
eion cause has thus far been sustained by de
cept1on and falseh cd; BY falsehoods as to the
action Of Congress; by false dispatches as to
battles that were never fought and victories
that we're never won; By false accounts as to
the purpose Of the President; BY false repre-,
sentations AZ to the views of Union men; and
by false pretenses as to the facility with which
tie Secession troops would take possession
OF the Capital and capture the highest ofticera
Of the Government.
The cause Of secession or rebellion has no
charms for US, and its progress has been
marked BY the mGst alarming aud dangerous
attacks upon the public liberty. In other
States, as well as our Own, It's whole course
threatens to annihi1ate the last vestige oj
freedom. While freedom and prosperity hsye
blessed Us in the Government Of the United
States, the following may be enumerated as
some Of the fruits Of eecasion:
1t VAS urged forward By Membs rs Of Con.
gross who were sworn to support the Consti.
tuition Of the United States, and were them
selves supported BY the Government
1t Was effected without consultation with
ell tile etateS interested In the slavery ques.
tion, and without exhausting peaceable rene,
dies.
1t has plunged the country into civil war,
raraGzed cur commerce, interfered with the
whole trade and business Of our country,
leseened the value of cur property, destroyed
many Of the pursuits Of life, and bids fair to
involve the whole nation in irretrievable bank
ruptcy and ruin.
and adopted constitutions without submitting
them to vote Of the people, and where suc1
ayote has been authorized, it has been upon
the condition prescribed by Senator Mason,
Of Virginia, that those who voted the Union
ticket MUST LEAVE THE STATE"
It has advocated constitutional monarchy,
King and Dictator, and is, througn the
Richmond press, at this moment recommend
ing to the Convention in Virginia restrlc
tion Of the night of suffrage, and sin covering
connection with the Yankees to abolish cuerg
systge Of sfsens0lance to tic is4:stutios's Of at
tleteSfed Yuce.'
1t hsa formed military leagues, passed mill
tary bills, and opened the door for oppressive
taxation, without consulting the people, and
then, in mockery Of . free election, has re-
qui1ed them, By their votes, to sane.
tion its ususpation under the penalties
Of neral prescription, or at the point Of the
bayonet
It has offered a premium for crime In direct
lrg the discharge of volunteers from criminal
prosecutions, aud in recommending the Judges
not to hold their courts. :
It has stained our statute book with the re-
pudiation Of Northern debts, and has greatly
violated the Constitution by attempting,
right ct suffrage.
It has called upon the people in the State Of
Georgia, and may soon require the people OF
Tennessee, to contribute ali their surplus cot.
ten, corn, wheat, bacon, beef, &c::,, to the sup
port Of pretended Governments alike destitute
Of money and credit.
It has attempted to destroy the aceounta-
bility Of public servants to the people ty secret
legislation, and has set the obligation, OF an
oath at dttiance.