Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-21

The Knoxville Register is permitted to publish
the. following letter, copy of one sent by Col
Hu6H L. McCIuSG, of Knoxville, Secretary and
Treasurer of the East Tennessee and Georgia Rail
road Company, to Mr.. JAMES Ross. one Of the lead
ing Union men Of Anderson county. 1t ia written
IN reply to a letter addressed to him by Mr. Ross.
Col McclrSa has heen one Of the strongest and
hrmess onion men in East Tennessee:
Knoxville, May "A, 1861.
Ay lear eir;--l did not receive your favor Of
the llth inst, uGta yesterday evening. The cou-
pons to Which you refer, you had better send me,
and VIII pay them here. In fact, we will have
TO pay all our next railroad coupons in Tennessee
We are afraid TO send anything North-not kno wing
at what moment it may be confscated.
You ask rue for my opinion IN reference to our
national difficulties. will give it to you frankly
The affairs OF our country, as you say, are in a
deplorable condition. The government of Mr.. Lin
coin is managed with as much despotism "a anv
monarchy in Europe. all our letters North are
broken open, and no Southern man is safe North of
Mason and DIxous line. That Mr. Lincoln intends
the subjugation of the whole South with fire and
sword. to my mind admits not of doubt
The immense armies he has called out are intend
ed tor more than the protection of Washington, or
the preservation of the public property Ii it be
Tor the protection Of government property why is
it that he has had burned and DESTROYED by his own
soldiers, that very property at Harper's Ferry and
Gosport Navy Yards No, sir, from the instructions
of Mr.. Seward to his foreign ministers and from
the whole tenor of the Northern press, Mr. Lincoln
intends to conquer US, or to use their phrase,
"1ope as out"
You know that have been as warm Union man
as any in Tennessee. About these things you and
myself have thoughtalike; and have condemned the
hot headed men of the South, Us well as the black
hearted abolitionists of the North. But the time
has gone past to look into the that led to
ho-,, -
are. and to meet them as best can. The house is
on fire and we cannot now stop to inquire who fred
it. We must first go to work and put it out
We have no longer Union-it is gone, and for
ever. Regret it as we may, it is q stubborn fact,
and we have to deal with it accordingly | have
loved the Union and the stars and stripes almost to
idolatry. loved them for the character they gave
and the protection they afforded the American citi
zen throughout the civilized world. can no long
er love the remnant of that Union which is to be
for the slaughter OF our wives and children, nor
bow down to that flag which has become the en-
blem OF oppression. believe that our only chance
of safety is for the South to meet Mr.. Lincoln in
Virginia. and at all points upon the border with an
unbroken 'front.' and say, Sir you shall not overrun
the South as long as we have arm left to strike
blow.
Already there are hundred thousand men on the
northern line of Virginia, armed to the teeth and
determined to dispute every inch of ground. NY
son is volunteer and will leave in a few DAYS
trust in God that when Mr. Lincoln secs such unit
ed determination he will let Us go in peace. 1t is
peaceful separation or the bloodest war that has
ever been known on this continent, or perhaps in
the world
They even deny us armed neutrality. and that we
shda right on one side or The other! The question for
US to decide is shall are Join in TIE suqatiOa IT our
Ooon people or mGnfuly defend car homes cur Goicss
and our children? Others may hesitate as to their
course, cannot. How can any Tennessean worthy
of the name?
feel that am serving my country as effectually
where am as l could elsewhere. Our roads have
to keep OPEN and our trans kept running to carry
forward troops, ammunition and provisions In
that service am engaged. We have taken on an
immense number Of troops, and to-day are putting
through twenty one hundred more
1 our friend, He. L. MCCLINC;.