The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-29
ANDY JOHNSON'S ADMINISTRATION.
The Work OF Military Governor.

From the Nashville Union.i
The Governors residence is q plain but
commodious brick house, two stories hig:.,
with double portico Immediately facing the
south front of the capitol from which It is
only few steps distant 1t has q large yard,
with pleasant shade trees luxury with which
Nashville is abundantly supplied.
The Executive o5ace.
The office is furnished with heavy oaken
chairs, book case, two sofas, and two por-
traits-a very bad full length one OF Andrew
jackson, and a much better, though not a
striking one, Of Gov. johnson, taken when he
was Governor of the State some years since.
By the way, is il not singular that there in
not passable picture or bust Of aOld Hick-
ory" at the capitol of his State? Two secre-
taries are busily employed in writing and a
mild, portly looking official is on hand to no.
tify gentlemen of the southern Rights de-
nomination when they are wanted, or to es-
cort them to the substantial stone eduice just
west of the city.
Business.
Here comes sad faced old man, bowed
down, apparently not so much by years as by
grief; who with fatering Yoioe, asks TO see
his son, an only one, perhaps, who is lying in
the penitentiary for the hideous and infamous
crime of treason-nothing less than partici-
psting in conspiracy 10 destroy the govern
ment which the old man fought through two
wars 10 establish. He hopes that his reckless
son is willing to reform aud take the oath of
allegiance, and at his request he is brought in
The young man enters. 1t requires no re-
markable keen or practiced eye 10 detect the
rebel, restless, and impatient of all restraint,
social, religious or civil, in the countenance
and swagger of this creature. lie is rebel,
marked so by nature, and retouched by his
| own bad habits. He is prohigate, fillibus-
ter, and a rebel, as chance offers. He would
be an outlaw anywhere. 1t is easy to see that
| the Governor allows him to take the cath of
allegiance more through compassion for his
father u heart-broken and dispailing old man,
than for any great confidence he placed in the
| son.
| And here is party of persons Of various
ages, arrested and brought in for serving in
\ the rebel army. One of them frankly says
that he was deceived into it by older persons,
| in whom he had unbounded confidence, but
his eyes are now opened ana he contesses his
| folly. Another, a sad-faced man, Of more ad-
vanced years, declares with falteTi0g voice,
/ that he was loyal but that he was thrown ont
/ of work and driven into the army 10 keep
| bis family from starvation. Another that he
went into the ranks from mere love Of ro-
wing life, and not from any principle. He
| would be q pirate en- the South Sea, slave
trader on the coast of Africa, a rick-pocket in
London, burglar in New York, an assassin in
Venice, a eut-throat in Madrid, murderer in
| Sicksburg, "A blackleg in New Orleans. a high
way,nan in tho West, but not being in any
OF these places, he Jumped all the vices of
these characters into one, and turned traitor
to his country, the robber Of her prosperity
and the murderer OF her pence. lie IS per-
fectly willing to take the cath, and would ike
TO Join regiment IN the Federal army, In
which thieving was popular.
All, here is a company who como like the
Gibeonites of old TO Joshua, with ancient gar
ments and olouted shoes on their feet evident
" from SONS distant region where Uncle
SANS commercial benefits have not extended
Secession has drained the stores dry, and
goods have not been seen in that vicinity for
long twelve month. "Haven't done nothin
Guy'ner." HOniy jined the JET Davis Home
Guards, but never tous nary time. Three oil
fonr sneak at once, and each enc seems beEt
i, on making as long an explanation As was madt
bv the incorrigible witness in the celebrated
case of Cousin Sally Dillard. Their story
bds fair to consume the whole forenoon
wbar ,,se Governor, whose time Is too Talua
HE 70 he sn ut in listening TO long stories, by
n few nerem ptory questions succeeds, at last y
! finding out that one wants a quafseF worn
of coffee, another few pounds 81 naiis, anC
the third and largest purchaser, two enshei
of SALT OF course their request Is granteA
with look or mingled amusement and yexa
ton. which fits like IA shadow over the face o
the governor, when another parsonage Walk
forward for an interview. he Is Well-dressec
well-fed, rubieund gentleman, whose name
coupled with various transactions which hsy
a most unsavOry odor in the nostrils OF loyalty
He appears surprised that he has been sum
moned TO appear here, and asks the reasef
!. He is told that he is suspected OF being dli
. loyal, and ID required to take the oath OF ell
ciance. He seems aslonished, and says he
willing 10 be law-abiding citizen, but hi
CONSCIENTIOUS scsatpleS sbcut taking the eatl
The governor hints that such conscient!ol
: scruples are like conscientious scruples abol
d being honest, and that 3 man whose conscient
does not reprove him for acts Of treason. ougl
not to profess 10 entertain scruples about ia
ms the oath. However, anything to oblll
our portly, well-fed friend; so, Tor fear co
science of so exquisitely nice texture mig
i, be blown to pieces by a zephyr soale SUNNI
evening. he Is conveyed by an ofilcer TO =, &c
tain spacious edifce west of the eapitoi, vita
whose secluded cloisters, shut out from the &C
tamination of the yieiesd world, the hapi
possossor of the aforesaid conseieaas may spol
his days in sitting points of casuistry.
re. The slave