Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-28

Inc following letter from Hon. JOHN y. GAUT ha
been furnished us for publication. We are pleased
to give it place in our columns, as an evidence G.
the effect prOdEced upon the mind of ''Union mem
in East Tennessee by the abolition message of ABRA
Ham LINCOLN:
CLkvELAND, Tenn, Dec 10TH 1861
A. S. CoLYAR, ESQ., Dear SiT:--As in times past
we have corregporded, as well as conversed to.
gether touching our political troubles, take the
liberty Of wiring to you on that subject again
About the first of last week we received the late
message of Lincoln to the Federal Congress. Tha,
message, as l understand it, Enthusiastically shows
that it is the intention of Lincoln to subjugare the
South, and to emancipGte the negroes, and EXTERN
mate African slavery in the slave States. His
message is in substance 8 recommendation to Con-
gress 10 pass laws to effect that object with an i'm,
piled promise that he viii try to execute and carry
cut that object. He hss cheated and deceived the
loyal citizens of Missouri, Kentucky and Marylan
well as thousands elsewhere.
l opposed separation and voted against it. because
believed LRcoln intended to try to administer the
government according to the Constitution, giving to
the South their just legal and equal rights under
the Constitution. In other words, that it was not
the intention of him or his administration, in the
least degree to interfere with the slavery question
or the rights of property in the South. Therefore
1 believed 1t was wrong to. break up the govern
ment of our fathers, which revered until Lincoln
had done some act shO wing Intention to deny or
deprive the South of its just and constitutional
rights. never had any respect for Liusoln or his
party, or the NortherO sent ment. Neither did l
for Mr.. Buchanan, but felt it to be the duty of
all to aCquiesce in bis election submit to the
laws and Constitution and try to correct the evil
at the ballot box And so 1 felt about Lincoln.
But LIncoln's late conduct as well as his late
message and also some late resolutions introduced
into the Federal Congress, clearly shows that 1t Is
the intention of Lincoln and the NsFth to subjugate
the South and emaucipate the slaves. They show
urfh m min hat M vii ha made
TO arm the slaves to slay their masters. Lincoln
deserves universal condemnation, contempt and ex-
ecration for his unmugsted deception hypOcrdcy and
dishonesty. His message is shaped TO suit the Pc
culiaF views of the European nations and is bride
held out to them to join him in an unholy crusade
10 rob the people of the South Of their rights and
liberty and emanCipste their slaves.
After the election of the Sth of June last, when
the State was voted out by large majority, felt
it nv duty to acquiesce III the will of the msiorty
and so advised others. l strenuOusly opposed any
division of the State or any rebellion resistance
10 the laws of the State or the Southern Confed-
eracy.
AS had to hold my courts in the troubled con-
dition of the public mind andtry the lawsuits and
quarrels of all parties, believe 1 could best &C.
complish the discharge of my duties and avoid
censure and criticism, by avoiding public speak,
ing, by keeping out of all public assemblies and
remaining quiet and talking but little.
But confess to you, with regret and mortiica-
-
was cheated and deceived in the Federal Admins
trstion, as to their real and true intentions and
designs. And now l believe and unhesitatingly
declare that il is the duty well the interest Of
every man In the slave States TO resist Lincoln and
the North, with all his means, influence, heart and
stre;gth In other words that there be no division
whatever but that 5e stand together one man in
The South TO resist the AOrth, their invasion and az
gTessiOR.
And such has been the effect of Lincoln's IAess
sage upon the people of Bradley. Those who have
heretofore been called Union men, have gone clear
over. and have commenced volunteering, and, du-
ring the week past am informed that seven new
volunteer companies have been made up, and more
viii be made up the ensuing week IL looks new
like but few indeed will be left at home. l was at
Athens last week, and the message of Lincoln had
changed every man with whom l conversed, who
had heretofore believed that Lincoln did not intend
TO interfere with slavery tn rights of slavery
and all expressed themselves decidedly on the side
of the South.
am, very respectfully, your friend,
JOIN G, GAIT