Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-17
u,iop Sentiment the sovtn

The officers of the Union feet in the recent
trip up the Tennessee river report that strong
Union sentiment is stiIl existing among the peo-
pie they visited They had evidences of this
feeling which they thought were unmistable
The St. Louis Republican contains the following
report upon the subject from those who were
engaged in the expedition:
The officers say old men rushed on board the
boats and cried like children, saying that for
months they had been praying that Union fleet
might soon visit them. Everything they could
do they did, and everything they had was freely
offered. Never were yictors given more appar-
emily heartfelt OvatiOns. For months, they said
oppression and outrage had cursed their homes
and thus numerous Union men were obliged to
keep sileut if they valued life. As a voucher for
their stories, they were extremely anxious to en-
ter the Union service, and as many as hundred
were received on board the three gunboats to
complete their crews. Whole regiments could
be easily raised, and everywhere the people said
they could bring Tennessee back into the Union
if only furnished with guns 10 defend themselves
and be able to vote as they believed They said
that when the Secession ordinance was passed
armed bodies stood at the balIot-boxes, and eve
rything went just certain political traitors
wished.
Every man capable of bearing arms had been
Obliged to do SO or have all their property con
iscated. A number of those joined to the crews
were from rebel cavalry company. which had
thus been pressed into service. They are plain,
earnest appearing men, and declare that if loyal
/ Tennesseeans are protected and armed so to be
able to defend themselves, that Tennessee would
in ten months be again back in the UEipn.
Savannah, Clifton, PASSPORT and Florence were
among the towns visited.
rororf Of n Of bs r,aoria 81
/ Tennessee and Alabama be correct, and we will
not question but that it is so, for we sincerely
hope that such is the case, it suggests thoughts
worthy the consideration of every citizen who
sincerely desires the perpetuity of the Constitu-
ton and the Union in the spirit and for the &C
compIishment of the objects for which they were
] formed. II we understand the avowed object OF
the war; 10 is to preserve the Constitution and the
Union, not to destroy, them and that it is not
waged for the purpose of overthrowing inter-
fering with the rights or institutions of the States
or the citizens thereof.
| Ii appears that there is decided Union senti-
ment among the people of the Southern States
I wherever the Federal forces have penetrated and
/ given the people the liberty to express their true
sentiments Shall this loyalty TO the Govern
ment be protected, or is the war to be waged in
discriminatory against the loyal and disloyaI citi.
zenH According to the report above quoted we
find that the Unionis,s along the towns of the
/ Tennessee river "were extremely anxious 10 enter
the Union service, and as many as hundred
were received on the three gun boats to complete
their crews" And more than this, "eyerywhere
the people said they could bring Tennessee back
into the Union u only furnished guns TO defend
themselves. and be able 10 vote as they pleased.
) Are the men who entertain and avow such sen
timents TO suffer the same punishment as thoss
who are IN open and avowed hostility TO the Gov.
ernmenii IL the purpose OF the war is TO ode
fend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitu
ton and to preserve the Union with all the dig
nifty, equality and rights Of the several State'
unimpairsi." and this Is what Republican Con