The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-11-28
SATURDAY MORNING, NOV. %, 1853,
FtefIections for Tennessee Rebels
and Rebel Sympathizers.

in our midst ever, in their moments Of
reflection, revert to the past, when peace
prosperity and happiness blessed the
State No people enjoyed these bless
ipes 20 a greater extent and yet with
out cause, without one sound reason to
iunifyit, the overlooking cup was dashed
the ground, and war, with all IFS hor-
rors. its woes and miseries, precipitated
upon Tennessee. The consummstiOn Of
this result was attained at 5 sacrifice Of
principle, moral and political, which,
when the faithful historian pens the re-
cord. will cover the authors with I'M
speakable shame, and render their names
by-word and reproach for 81 future
time
The people Of Tennessee were ever
distinguished for their devotion 70 the
Union. For nothing did they pride
themselves more. In al the great politi-
cal contests involving the life blood Of
the Constitution and Union, they IN
finchingly srrsyed themselves against
the enemies Of the country. In the mo-
mentous discussions which eliminated
in 1892 in an attempt on the part of
South Carolina to pnt in practice the
dogmas Of the Calhoun school Of nullifi-
cation and secession, they were ready to
take up arms to coerce the malcontents
into submission to the authority of the
Federal Government. They regarded the
sentiment of Andrew j acksOE-" The
Federal Unioa Il must be preserved
las the sum and substance Of po-
iHcar philosophy and he who sympa-
thized with those that adhered to the
doctrines of Calhoun, became justly
odiOus in their estimation. In 1850
they sustained the Compromise Measures,
which the disuniOnists endesVored to de-
feat, with the view Of complicating the
difficulties and dangers which environed
the nation, and to arouse the pop
ular mind of the South to
pitch Of frenzy, Of which they might
take advantage in their. conspiracy
against the Union. And he who oppos-
ed the Compromise Measures, whatever
bis previous record, was viewed with
suspicion. In 1860, when the deep laid
plans, and The insidiOus and artful con-
triysnces Of the secessionists, were rap
idly demOralizing the people of the cot
ton Slater, and ripening them for revolt,
they stood firmly by their principles, and
again rebuked the enemies of free insti-
tutions. And even, as late as February
1861, after someof the cotton States had
resorted 70 secession, and set up for them
selves as Independent governments, the
great majority Of the people of Tennes-
see remained true and steadfAst.
There was just as much cause, in eth
er Of these crises, as in that of the sue
oseding June, when they assumed to vote
Tennessee Outof the Union, for rebellion
against the government. In the three
iirst, they would, in the language of Vice
President Stephens, have deemed it "the
height of madness, folly, and wicked
ness" TO revolt; and there was nothing
in the features of the last, that could
Justify their aposlaey, and treason.
They deliberately tarned their backs
upon the past with all its glories, al the
renORn they had won, and weakly
and dastsrdly surrendered TO their
life long enemies-enemies who had
hated and scOrned them, and
finally took them by the hand, only to
make use of them, and to sacrifice their
sons on the bloody altar of despotism
In the history of modern politics there is
no such instance of wholesale spostscy
no such disgraceful des6rsiOn ofsacrsd
principle, and all that is dear TO human
character. The Tennessesn, who has
any pride left, must regard himself with |
lOsthing and disgust, when he contem-
plates his unparalleled aud utterly in
exeusable detection. he knows that un-
der the segis of the stars and stripes, he
received no detriment-that the govern
ment never wrOnged him--thAt no right
Of his bad ever been assailed byit-that,
on the other hand, he had always receiv-
ed its protection, and enjoyed blessings /
the result of its paternal
care. And what an exchange he receiv-
ed for his sacrifice Of principle and honor!
A despotism, deeper-reaching and more
relentless than any the world has be-
fore seen, has been erected under the
auspices Of his old foes, and he is but a
cypher in lie councils, q beggar, or a
victim TO be plundered or sacrificed IS
At may demand. Poverty, crime, blood
and degradation, he invited, and terribly
as be realizing the atrOcity of his invi
tatiOn. The nation whom he deserted
the just God, whose Providence be con-
temnsd, are furnishing him as be de-
serves. setaFe9
As an appropriate conclusion to these
remarks, VIC submit to apOstAte TennsS-
scans who have the energy to reflect, the
following admOnitions and declarations
Of Alexander d, Stephens, deliyered in
the Georgia State Convention in Janu-
aFy, 1861 Il will be remembered that
Mr.. Stephens, just..befOre that time, made
! Union speech to the people. The Ian
yusgs Of this address to the convention
s even stronger than that of his more
famous speech. II is q crushing reply to
he rebels and sympsthisers with the
rebels who are constantly prOclAiming
that - the South" was injured, and came
short Of it's rights in the Union.
Mr.. Stephens said:
aThis step (of eecassion1 orca a..