The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-20

the body Of men you represent, and the conn
manner in which you have thought
proper to mention my name, all demand se-s
rious consideration and respectful answer 70 +
your request.
You ask me to modify Order No. so as to |
relieve the members of your association from |
taking the oath of allegiance. Now what s
the substance of that order7 Briefly answered
lit gives you the right to leave the city with
out imposing any conditions, and take up arms
against our country if you wish. 1t throws
the gauntlet down and dares you to the con-
1ict, or simply requires you to swear to support
the Constitution your fathers made. Surely
this is no hard rule in times of war. Let US
for one moment contrast it with the course
adopted by the so-styled Southern Confederacy.
Where they have power, men who have dared
to whisper words in favor Of the Union, have
by brutal (chivalric p force been hung--de-
crepitude and years could not shield them.
Even in sight of this city, old gray-haired
man of sixty, lone, friendless, and helpless, was
hung by chivalric mob, because he dared to
adhere to the government that gave him birth,
and was the pride Of his declining years. Aye,
even in this city, Cf report be true,l the ball
/ and chain in the Vigilance Committee room
was used to intimidate the fearful, and shackle
/ the limbs of freemen who would not bow down
to the Southern idol. The bar Der shop, too, is
hard by, where they administered clean shave
to all who would not shout for the "Chivalry
and Davis. A aa
"You didn't do it Pr Hundreds of you singh
toned gentlemen didn't DO it No-but you
stood by, raised not hand 70 shield the
helpless, and dared not even whisper
one kind word to console the victims of
the msb. THIS ,oas neutrality, and this aOds
taking no part Look to Missouri, Vir-
ginia, Maryland and East Tennessee,
and the roberies perpetrated under the color
of the Confederacy's act of Confscation, and
humanity win sudder and blush. No one,
with my permission, shall serve two masters.
You are for US or against US, and q manly
course is to choose your side. Ten secret foes
and spies are worse than one hundred open
enemies. If you ask the protection of the
broad wings of our old eagle, you must help to
feed and support the bird. The day of kind
words, good desires, much talk, and no SINGER
ity has passed. Officers will be compelled to
pull off their long silken gauntlets and return
the salutation of pretended friends with the
stern grip of war.
"The city is now filled with treason and
traitors, and that officer is surely unnaturally
kind, who will permit them to remain and
hatch their unholy schemes within his camp
No class of men exercise such a vast in
huence over the public mind as the craft t.
which you belong, and you eve it to your
selves and posterity, to advocate and aid thu
right. The printer, philosopher and states
men Franklin is your pride. He was NJ
neutral. Follow his example, support til,
cause that he supported and uphold the con
stitution that he labored to construct and you
children and childrens children may be prout
of you in future days. @
AZ have spoken earnestly, freely, but wit
: no intention of casting the least insinuatiol
upon any member of your society. Believing
g Order No. to be just as well as polite,
shall, as long as have the honor TO command
I be strictly and rigidly enforced.
Respectfully yours
uour~