The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-06-12
For the Nashville Union.
A MissourIan's Wow OF the civil
War.


MURFREEsRoRo, TENN, June =, '63.
Editor of The Nashville Union:
As a resident of Missouri in 1860, /
voted in good faith for Breckenridge, and
returned to Illinois in January, 1861,
wearing the Estate Rights badgeY of
Missouri. (This 1 one day prudently
and rather hastily laid aside) had al
ways been in sentiment pro-slavery; but
like others of my opinion in the North, 1
proposed to invest in free Institutions
The political storm gathered, and loud
ly berated Abolitionists and Republicans
for bringing about our darkening trou-
bles, and when the lowering clouds burst
in ''canRon's shotted roar" upon that he
role little band at Fort Sumter, was
brought TO my senses. Although reluo-
tant TO believe il, /, like thousands Of my
creed, discovered the cloven- foot of hell
born secession aud armed rebellion.
This was too much. The issue must be
met, and the Government sustained.
Nobly did the Great West rush TO the
rescue, and firm has been the tread of
her sons, onward to victory or death for
liberty. To rectify my mistake, and
atone for the insults offered just aud
merciful people, l renounced all symps-
thy for "our injured brothers of the
SOUTH and enlisted as high private,
anxious TO remove the stigma of my vo-
ting for q traitor to rule over us.
Two years of that enlistment have
been consumed--not in crushing
the rebellion, but in developing
the hideous proportions Of its dsmnAble
character, in showing to the world, the
deplorable and degrading effects of the
peculiar institution, and bringing to light
the true object of the infamous traitors,
who, as leaders of the rebellion, would
establish a Government, founded upon
an aristOcracy, the heart soul and foun-
dation Of which rests upon the negro, as
a debased and shackled bondsman. 1t
has taken us two years to measure the
scheme in all its proportions, but we
have shown the world, that in point of
endurance and resources, we are equal to
the task of defending our temple Of
Freedom, and preserving the virtue and
integrity of its Goddess.
Our Government has existed thus far,
only as an experiment but having in its
infancy astonished the world, If now we
are successful, we may safely say that
liberty is the law;--the people in their
majesty reign;-and that freedom is an
nounced as a fixed fact, a principle blest
from on high. The trembling crowns of
all Europe may well look to their safety,
while the world points with pride and
hope to the shores of our mighty Repub-
lie, and, bowling to our sacred banner,
exrlaim
Han, all hail, o thou, the hope Of mankind,
An emblem Of Freedom--lone Of thy kind
Thou nom the land OF The noble and free,
Weembraoe Thy dear iods--hopo resting ia thee
Float on, float ever, thou dearest Of Gags,
Torn be the rebels TO tatters and rags,
Aud trafed in the dust, Il never shall rise,
While tho stars and ths Stripes float free
in the skies.
But 70 come to the point in view. IhavC
been constant reader Of your paper
ever since last September, at the com
mencement of the long TO be remembered
beleaguerment of your city and fee
that can send homo as reading matter
nothing more acceptable than the UNION
periodically devoted to the cause fol
whicl we are fighting.
Enclosed please find subscription pric,
(S2 OO) for twelve months TO the Weekly
UNION, which you will mail as per en-.
closed address, and Oblige yours for tn,
Union forever. Il. " r.