Smyrna times., 1862-04-24
BrownI0w. THE Real People Of the
South,

BrownIow. The Real People Of the
South.
The presence in Phllsdelphia Us the North
American Of the most stalwart and unfiinching
Of the patriots of the South, (Brownlow) recalls
.g.in the great fact that the people of many
warts Of the South are, abevc all other consid- |
erations, Americans; are identical with our
selves IN the characteristics of selcreliont pr-
vste character, and in love of country as great
as that ever shown by any nation. The whole
people of the South once were such VIC here
describe. and each as Brownlow and the patr-
ots of Tennessee aud North Carolina now are
but cotton and slaves perverted them-poisonsd !
chem with an insane ambition TO rule or ruin |
everything that differed from their latest pre-
ference, and at last stimulated them TO rebel |
lion by which they will be ruined. Is the
claim that there is a great free people at the
South true! On the answer turns the whole
question of the war; If there is. as Brewnlow
mys, msjority of SO, 600 unconditional Union
men in Tennessee, thea the war is not in vain.
Ifthe body Of the people in North Carolina are
which liberates them is a national duty. No
sat,er If. under the excitenents. the fssehood
and malignant nisre presentation by which they
bsEe for years been piled, they, or part Of
them. sccm to think differently now. All we
want is to know that at heart they are Ameri-
can citizens of the old stamp; that they love
the Union as it Wss. and that they are ready to
resume and to cherish the old relations OF unity
wth all like themselves in this great Republic.
There 10 no reason why cotton and slaves
should always be takea as monopolizing the
Southern mind. and as represen,ng the wish
OfSOuthern citizens. Brownlow and his COM
patriots are as much the South as Jeff. Davis
aud his. The former we believe are in ma
jority in at least two OF the revolted States, and
tast force alons has brought them to consent
ing attitude toward the rebellion. In North
csrOlina it is ssid they are fghtiag the seces.
sion depotism. az they did some months age in
East Tennessee. With a fair chance. and 4be
iust power their numbers enttle them TO, they
would have kept the government Of both North
Carolina aud Tennessee. Why are they not
the South. therefore, and what right have the
minority there to enforce hated rule over
ssem! We 90 to their relief. We save them
as well as ourselves BY preserving the common
government that has blessed all alike.
II may sppear useless TO recur to these facts
aud hopes while the war is SO bitter and the
rebel power so formidable, but in them we find
solution OF the problem whether the country
will again ever become cordially uaited. A
small class has heretofore welded power in the
slAve States, and that class we cannot expect
to fad in cordial union with the government i
has tried go desperately TO overthrow. But i
there are msjOrities OF $4,000 in State lik'
Tennessee, who, 10 all their trials, preserve
iis cid faith and adhere to the old hopes ant
duties as citizens. we can afford to leave Ih,
1slass of ineurable malcOnIenis cut of the reckon
ing of the future.
Tke prosecution Of the war hangs on no ca
ally turned points which may throw e balance
the wrong way BY adding small adverse
weights; but il is still a satisfaction to be able
TO assure ourselves that such men as Andrew
Johnson. Ethridge and Brownlow are not refs
gees from the people of Tennessee, but rathe
Assurance as 10 the future is worth all that tn
press new allowed TO speak at the South ca
utter in months. If they and theirs are wit
as the cad is certain snd permanent triumph
The rebel armies we meet in the field are le
by the most desperate of those who would
aecessiOnists always. but the rank and iIe sui
Ser innocently in maHy cases. They are nc
10 be counted among future enemies, alihogg
che leaders and officers generally are.
In the reconstruction Of social and politics
arder in the seeded States a great res2ons
aIlity will rest on the middle class Unonists
chose States, and much patience and labor wi
he requisite. Slavery is the great lion in the
path as we'll onrs. II will be found an ele
mena Of trouble always, and in some cases q
almost 'nsuperable object TO the restoration
order. We hope the Union uen of the Sou,
may be bold enough and strong enough to pr.
pie successfully with the great problen,. ar
that the disposal OF all the complicated poin
relating to it will be left wholly in their hand
taking care only that their hands are ina,
strong eoOGgb to enable them to do what this
Judgment may determine to be their duty.
They arc. henceforth, the real people of I
South those 10 whom power will be con6d
al home. aad who will be the recognized re
resentatIyes Of those States when their Iowa
ia renewed.
REBEL GEsEsAL.--Considershle curios
has been excited 10 know something of Re
officer whe figures in the reports.