Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-28
a card frsm pr. Hea.nen

To TIE Editor Of tbe KnozUiRs Register
Sir: VIII you be kind enough to do me the Justice
to publish the following facts, for the purpose Of
correcting the thousand falsehoods circulated
against me, originating with some Of my personal
enemies, with view to annoy and humiliate me.
You, yourself. Mr.. Elit0T, called me traitor p
founded, suppose upon these fslsehOOds; and you
also publish letter from one Of them which is al.
most entire Misrepresentation of facts from be
ginning 10 ending. You say made atraitorous
speech at Seyiervile." / lid make q very Short
speech in SeyierTiIle the day of our last Countv
Court in which said but little else than to tel the
people what the Legislature had been doing, and
gave the war news as contained in tia newspapers
published IN Nashville.
If saying that Secesionism west Of the mountains
differs widely from Seeessionism in some parts of
East Tennessee have been most kindly q nd
eourteously treated by the citizens of Nashville
as well ss the members Of the L9gislature-that il
was the most intelligent Legislature, by fifty per
cent? had ever seen ssssmble together and de-
eidedly the most sOcisble and agreeable. II say,
ing, that notwithstanding l had been elected as a
| Union man, and was opposed to Secession; vet We
all lived in the Confederate Government
and It was our duty to submit aBd for
my part | should always be loyal citizen to
any Government under which I should live.
SO long as that Government should exist-if intro
ducng TO the same Rssemblage OF people who heard
speak. an intelligent officer Of the Confederate
Army, and telling them that the officer ne introsu.
ces is g member Of Gen. McCOwn's command Al
Columbus, and would make them speech for the
purpose Of raising volunteers say If these things
are treason, then am traitor for said all this
in the speech alluded to-
have net violated Knowingly either the C0nsti-
tuition or laws Of this State Of the Confederate
States, and do not intend TO DO So so losg as live
in it-and am sure shall not change locations
voluntarily.
have ever since the last August election advised
the people to submit, and have repeatedly said.
that he who could not live in government az 4
loyal citizen, ought to move out of it.
Prior to the August elections / was csnscien-
tious advocate Of the United States government its
Constitution and Its laws, and was Jealous in the
support of that position. consider that ] have
discharged my duty most faithfully to that govern
meRt. Il no longer protects me, and consequently
cannot owe any further allegiance to q govern
ment which cannot protect its citizens.
! am told that / am accused Of knowing some.
thing about the bridge burning the East Tennes-
see Railroad. This | most positively and unequiv-
ocally deny, and pronounce it as one Of the most
unWise, insane, and impoltic movements that could
possibly have been conceived Of. That know any
thing about the burning. or contemplated burning
Of bridges on the East Tennessee railroads or anv
other railroads in the Confederate States is base
and unmitgated falsehood, destitute of truth in
every particular; and no man can condemn such an
act more than myself.
Now, Mr.. Editor, permit me in conclusion TO say
to the officers OF the Confederate Court at Knox
vile, that understand warrant has been Issued
for my arrest, and that 1 shall deliver ms self up
whenever can learn that the Court Is in session.
understand from notice il the Register that the
time it was to have held its session has been post
poned to some future day, and promises to give
notice Of its setting, whenever the time is ascer-
timed. As soon as I can learn that time either BY
notice in your paper, some Confederate offcer, or
some citizen whom can rely upon shaH proceed
iumediately'to Knoxville, and deliver myself Up 10
the proper authorities Z. II. HoDsDES.
Nov. 23l, 1861.