Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-04-24
Rebel Tyranny in Nashville. THE


Scovel Case. ~
We come now in our review OF the
Outrages on personal liberty practised by
the rebels during tileir brief supremacy
in this city TO very remarkable case
We refer to the arrest and bond Of DR..
r. G. soovEt, for many years citizen Of
this place, gentleman of influence, of
unblemished reputation, and one of the
prominent business men of the city
During the entire sedition DIR. SoovEL
had remained firm in his loyalty, and not
only this, but he had exerted all his in
fluence in behalf Of the Union and was
fearless, although always temperate in
his language Yet for this sin of being
faithful and bold he was arrested by the
rebels, and after prolonged examination
was bound over in the sum of $4,000 as
" dangerous and suspicious man, In
addition to this outrage, his peace and
life and property were threatened, and
he was exposed 10 daily insults. The
day previous TO his arrest a leading and
wealthy rebel had called to him on the
street and pumped him in order to catch
some expression which might serve as the
basis of an accusation. He was beset by
hypocritical acquaintance and watched
by spies and informers. We copy from
that infamous and incendiary rebel sheet
the Nashville Union g. American, of Nov.
5, 1861, full account of this judicial
mockery in sham court presided over
by worthy successor of the tyrannical
Jell'ries:
Confederate Court---Charge of Sedi-
ton and Rebellion.
The case of II. G. ScovEL was called
up yesterday in the Confederate Court.
The warrant was read by the District
| Attorney, which substantially charged
the defendant with giving aid and com
fort TO the citizens of the United States,
now waging most unjust and unholy
war against the Confederate States, and
that he would rejoice to see the "Stars
and Stripes" now the emblem of tyran-
ny, waving over the capitol of the State,
and that he hoped and believed that in a
short time the Northern Government
would be victorious, by which conduct
and conversation the defendant was a
dangerous man to the Confederate States,
and such conversations were reasonable
and had tendency to stir up rebellion
and sedition, the Confederate States now
being at war with the Government of the
United State.
We understand that the proof clearly
established the facts that the defendant
had stated that he would rejoice and that
he believed in a short time the stars and
stripes would triumphantly wave over
the Capitol, that he had been for the
Union and was still for it, also that some
Of the citizens had requested him not TO
speak in such way against the Govern
ment, of which he was a citizen. The
proof showed that he disregarded such
admonitions, which were given to him
| from the best of motives, by patriotic and
loyal citizens
Alter the testimony was concluded, the
District Attorney said that he did not
propose TO argue the facts of the case.
but merely desired to explain the dis
tinction between this case and a number
of others that were tried by his Honor at
Knoxville some time ago. A large ma
jority Of the votes in East Tennessee had
had been cast in favor of the Union, and
there public sentiment had been in favor
of the Federal Government, and the per-
sons who were arrested and found guilty
were not aware of the enormitY of the
offence they bad committed, In these
cases, his Honor had very properly OK
tended mercy to the accused and the
! District Attorney stated that he was
| gratifed at this clemency on the part of
the Court, believing that such a course
! had produced a salutary effect, the per-
sons who were arrested having yolunta-
| rily taken the oath of allegiance to the
! Confederate States, and were now loyal
citizens. But how different the case now
before the Court.
The testimony established that the de-
iendant is man Of wealth and intelli-
gence, and that there is but one senti-
ment in Middle Tennessee aud the city
Of Nashville, which is enthusiastically
in favor Of the Confederate States, 20
which the people Of the State have united
their destiny by an overwhelming ma
jority. Yet the defendant in defiance of
a universal public sentiment, has taken
sides in favor Of the Northern Govern
ment against our own beloved country.
Such conduct on his part, showed that
the true sentiments Of his heart were
against us, and that il was better that he
should remove to the North, as others
had done, than TO remain amongst us, an
enemy to our Government and people,
h.. .....t I...I.J IL a.. l.