The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-06-29
Dialogue between GOV. JohnsOnl
and N Chnplnfu.

who were required to appear before the
Governor on yesterday, was Rev. w. II.
WHARTON, Chaplain Of the Penitentiary
Father WHARTON seems TO be over fifty
years Of age. Hard study, intense soli-
citude for the spiritual welfare Of sinners,
with much prayer and modification Of
the flesh, while they usually reduce the
flesh Of the deyotee, and impart a pale
and cadaverous hue TO his countenance,
have not produced these effects on the
good chaplain He is quite a portly and
sedste looking gentleman. He is the
author Of certain Penitentiary Report
which will give him a name co-extensive
with the country; said report advising
King HARRIS TO release certain felons
from the Penitentiary, to join the rebel
army. We exhumed a portion of the
Report on yesterday, end have thus given
it wider notoriety than the pious au-
thor ever dreamed Of Genius never APP
preciates its own performances, and we
doubt whether Father WHARTON actually
realized the fact that he was linking bis
name to a document that will make him
remembered long after his prayers and
homilies are forgotten. On entering the
Executive Chamber, dialogue of the
following purport ensued:
CHAP.-Governor am present at your
rcquisition.
Cow wish simply to say to you that
the time has arrived when the Govern
ment must know its friends and put down
its enemies. You are suspected of being
hostile to the Government whose agent
| am.
CHAP.-Well, l regard myself as loyal
man, and expect to be obedient to the
Government. believe that my very
first temporal allegiance is due to Ten
nessee, and am ready to go whichever way
she goes But am a citizen of a higher
government than that.
Gov-What government is that?
CHAP.-T am a citizen Of Haavea
Gov.-There are men in Nashville pro
Tossing that citizenship who are respon-
siblo for the blood Of more of our coun-
trymen, than the soldiers who have bay
oncts in their hands. You call yourself
a citizen of Heaven just look at this
document-(taadiag him the tollotOiBg err
tract WiH The name Of Nm. H. Wharton an
ne1ed to IT,
81 have witnessed with much satisfaction
the cheerful alacrity and diligence with
which the prisoners Gin the Penitentia
ry) have labOred for the State in the last
few months, in preparing the materials
of war, 10 which they were stimulated
| by MOST COMMENDABLE AND PATRIOTIC
ARDoR; they have labored faithfully fol
their country and many Of them young
men placed in confinement for mi
nor offences, might be judiciously
selected as objects Of Executive
clemency, who would endeavor Il
atoae Jor the mis3eeis Of the past by acts o
braUey and he,oim on the Jutle.feH.-
| COMMENCING WI 7 IL EARNEST.
| NESS THE ABOVE SUGGESTION
TO THE AUTHORITIES,
| remain, most respectfully,
VIM. II. WHARTON,
Chaplain.
Is thatyour report sir, and your name
Do you call that the language of "cit,
i1en Of "HeoJea," to advise the turning
loose Of felons from the cells where jus
tice has placed them, that they may
| join in the work Of killing loyal mel
and Of destroying the best government
in the world / don't believe the Al,
mighty approves Of such teaching as
that
| CuAr.-Well, the first duty is to de.
fend our State and thought it wai
right to repel the North when she invad,
ed us. Self-defence is the only fighting
1 approve Of
/ Gov.-Did not Tennessee invade Ken,
Htucky? Did not South Carolina invad,
the property Of the United States anC
fire on our fellow citizens? You hav,
learned your facts very incorrectly.
! CHAR (LooEiHg terribly peplereD
don't wish to argue the case with you
Governor. My mission is to preacl
Christ am no politician and submit
to whatever government may get IN,
power,
! Gov--But you could urge the release
Of felons to aid in numbering loyal men,
Do you pretend that your gospel is con-
fined to the limits ofyour Southern Con,
federacy ? l always thought its precepti
Of love and charity were co-eXtcnsiy'
with the world. You cannot justify
your conduct before man or God.
CHAP.-I had 10 go with my State ant
defend her. That is justidable warfare
Gov,-Therc are rules Of warfare which
christians and barbauans alike observe
You advised the turning loose Of fclon,
and placing arms in their hands Did
you get that from your Bible Does Il
tell you that man may atone for a te'on5
by committing treason
CHAp.--As / said before, | cannot dis.
cuss politics-it is not my profession
Christ said to his apostles, my Kingdom
is not of this world"
Gov Yes, and ! believe there was 9
Judas among his disciples II he wor,
ON earth again there are some of his pro.