The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-08-12
Washington Correspondence.


Of the illustrious Gen. jackson "THE
FEDERAL UEIoN-IT MUST BE PREsERvEDN
Why did place that motto there? Be-
cause / saw that large and influential
party in the South had determined 10
secede from the Government. / was
member Of the Democratic State Central
Committee before The disruption of the
party. AZ the Charleston Convention,
the Secessionists showed their purpose,
and a part Of them seeded from the
Convention. The Convention then adj
journed to Baltimore, giving time for con-
sultation with friends at home The
delegates from Tennessee, so far as /
heard, were unanimously in favor Of sus-
tanning the Union, during the recess Of
the Convention. The Conyantion re-as-
sembled at Baltimore The Secessionists
redoubled their energy, to make q strong
er secession party, and finally majority
of the Tennessee delegation left the Con-
veniion with Secessionists Of other States,
and made Secession nomination, Breck.
inridge aud Lane, Seeing THEN, as clearly
as do to-day, that deliberate purpose
was formed to disrupt and destroy the
Government, as one Of the Central Com
mittee declined to enter into the plot,
and resolved to support Union candi-
date for the Presidency. ! portrayed
the horrors Of civil war through the col
umns of the Democrat, during the Presi-
Dental contest, and as long after as |
could. My friends and neighbors called
me an alarmist, and accused me of writ
ing sensation articles. But resolved to
do my duty TO my country, in the face OF
all opposition. Mr. Lincoln, was, how
ever, fairly and constitutionally elected,
and while deplored the result yet, as a
Democrat, believing in the right of the
majority to rule, was in favor of sub
uniting to the decision of the people. Mr..
BELLS friends mostly agreed to submit.
Mr. Bell was at Washington during the
Inauguration of Mr.. Lincoln, willing TO
accept cabinet appointment under Mr.,
lLincoln, as is well known. In this, how
ever, his friends failed, and Mr.. Bell, at
very early day, identified himself with
Secession, as did most of his leading
friends in the State. ] had agreed TO
defend Mr.. Bell from any attacks Incl
dent to his accepting such appoint
ment did so for the purpose alone
of uniting all lovers of the Union
in one party for its support against
the secession party. Failing thus to
unite the Union element of the country,
was panied TO see my Union associates,
who had contended side by side with me
against secession, falling around me, and
submitting to the Secession Breckenridge
party, and soon large proportion were
joining that party. How strange, how
unstable, how incomprehensible are the
ways of man to man! feel sure that all
Tennessee will bear me testimony, that
contended faithfully, energetically and
earnestly, if not with ability for the in
tegrity of the Union. ] warned my fell
low citizens Of the bloody tragedy soon
to be enacted before their eyes. | feel
that thus far have done my duty. But
we are now realizing in all its horrors a
most relentless civil war. beg to refer
the readers Of this to the pictures which
portrayed in the Democrat, and see if that
was all fiction and fancy. But we are
in the dilficulty-and the question now
arises how are we to get out II is ON
this point now wish in few letters to
reason with the people of my native and
beloved State, that they ought to renew
their allegiance to the Government Of our
fathers.
shall not indulge in denunciation
against those who choose TO identify them
selves with the rebellion. You are not to
be convinced, or inundated by abuse or
threats, and l regret that it has been so
much rosorted to by the friends of the
Union cause. But we are in the dificul-
ty; letus get out Of it. I never did be-
licve, nor do now believe, that any con-
siderable portion of the people or Ten
nessee desire the destruction Of the gov
eminent under which they have lived so
happily-that they are disuuionists per Sc,
Some were influenced by leaders in whom
they had confidence, others submitted
from fear Of losing their property and
others from fear Of personal injury. The
circumstances by which they were sur
rounded compelled acquiescence, and in
many cases active corporation. Such
persons are certainly not guilty of wilrul-
ly and maliciously plotting the dcstruc-
ton Of the government, Many, reyy
many, among those who submitted, and
even did more TO the cause Of rebellion,
know are honest, well-meaning men.
would not dare to impugn their motiUes,
know that many Of them are incapable
OF doing an Intentional wrong, But while
freely admit their integrity Of purpose,
yet they are either misled or are com
PEELED ID place themselves in an attitude
of antagonism to the United States Gov
eminent
Now, my friends many Of you l1loir
are loyal to the government in feeling as
| am, but you are committed agains {
your will 10 the cause Of secession. Why