The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-11-22
A Commendable Disclaimer.
IEyo,n Nh. Eno,,;lio po,.;.,a.1F

Incur last issue we published q com.
munication that was sent to Strawberry
Plains under flag of truce by certain
citizens of SEWER county. On Friday we
were called upon by two of the geite-
men whose signatures were attached to
the paper, who inform us that the spirit
OF the document was misapprehended.-
The names OF these gentlemen are Mcssrs
J.and j. Ii. Caldwell. They state that
rumor prevailed that large force was Or
ganizing at Strawberry Plains, not for the
purpose of arresting the bridge incendia-
ries, but for the purpose of taking indis-
criminatc vengeance upon The Union men
of Sewer county. Under these circum-
stances they signed the paper, not sup
posing it was to be carried under flag of
truce, or to be construed into Il pl oposi-
ton 10 protect the felons engaged in the
attempt. to burn the railroad bridge
These gentlemen earnestly disclaim any
knowledge of or sympathy with the con-
spiracy to destroy the railroads; are tho.
roughly disguised with this result Of the
keeping up Of the Union organization;
and are determined to have nothing fur
ther to do with 1t. They claim to repre-
sent the feeling. of a majority of tho sub
stantiai men OF the county. who now fintl-
ing that they have been duped and de-
crived by their political leaders into po-
sition that has brought upon them a sus-
picion of treason, are anxious TO be set
right, are willing to take up arms in de-
fence of the South, instead of conniving
at or desiring The invasion Of Tennessee
by Lincoln troops. ~
The Messrs. Caldwell ARE reliable and
truthful gentleman, and their statement
nf In 1pio AZ hot has
taken place in Sewer county, since the
real purposes of the conspirators have
come to light and since their minds have
been. disabused Of the false Representa-
tions as to the purposes of the Southern
men, SO industiiously circulated among
them, may be relied upon. There is no
earthly doubt that the people of East
Tennessee have been most GENEROUSLY
misled, by a few traitorous minions of An
dy johnson on one hand, and the dupli.
city OF few designing demagogues on
the other hand; tile first trying to excite
them to hostility to the Government, and
the others trying to keep them banded
together as a political organization for
their own selfish ends. .r17. -'
The late premature and unsuccessful
conspiracy. by leading to the exposure of
both these classes of persons, and by call
ing forth the prompt action of the Gov
crnment in this quarter, will prove q Pro-
vidential occurrence, and we may safely
predict that East Tennessee will now soon
be as little liable to the charge of disaf-
lection to the Confederate Government as
either of the other divisions of the State.
The knowledge that the military auihori-
ties have no purpose to perecute people
for opinions sake, nor to interfere with
individual rights, but merely to bring trail
tors and .felons TO justice, will go very far
to allay the excitement and harmonic
our people, who are at heart us patriotic
rs any in the South.
The Register of a subsequent date con.
tains the following paragraph: f.
SEWER CouSTY.--In our article of Sun.
day, in relation to the disclaimer of the
Messrs. Caldwell, we made an error in
their names. DR.. A. a. Caldwell and J
ii. Caldwell, Esq, both well known and
influential citizens of Sewer county, were
the gentlemen who called upon us. They
have returned home, and are using Their
best exertions, as we learn, to undeeeve
the Union people of their section. Asan
earnest Of their efforts, we may state that
large number of arms have been volun
,tarily given up by the Sewer men, in adj
dition to those which have been surren
dered to the military. We learn that a
bout 500 guns, from Sewer, have been al
ready delivered at Strawberry Plains, ant
the work is still poinu on