The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-03-07

me words Of an old Soldier,

an old worn-out soldier of the Federal
army, wish to inquire through your col
umns, why it is that so many are allowed
to remain at home undisturbed, avowed.
ly sympathizing with the Coniederates,
and publishing statements against those
who are endeayoring, as far as human
efforts can 60 or will all them, TO bring
this unholy, fratrcdal war to a close?
Must we, who claim to be born free
and equal, and inheriting the soil our
forefathers fought, gained and handed
down to us as a heritage-are we, say,
to stand by and see our old National
Flag dragged in the dust, the laws of the
country set at nought, and not offer to
take up arms to resent the insult offered?
Will true American put up with these
insults? Does not the same blood flow
through their veins now as it did during
the times Of Washington and jackson?
Our flag, that has never been disgraced
but was and is still, the boast of the true
and honest patriot, and is at this very
time proudly, aye, maiestically, floating
on every sea and in every cline, bidding
defiance TO nations abroad-is it, ask,
to be trampled in the mire and dust by a
few willy, grasping politicians and office
seekers Are We of the North to allow
three millions of whites and four mil
lions of blacks TO rule three times as
many freemeng Remember how our fore
fathers struggled when the country was
yet in its infancy. If l mistake not,
they had the Indians as well as the Brit
ish to contend with. The same Being
tha' was with them in that bloody strife
is still with as and will continue, TO the
eud of time, NTH us. Again, we claim
to live, as near as we consistently can, tc
the teachings Of the Bible, and that blessed
yo'nme commands us most emphaticaRy to
show pity and to have mercy. 1t does not
| justify us in despoiling or rayishing those
who are at our mercy, but bids us
extend an arm Of protection to them.
| Rowdyism is not tolerated in our army,
but is summarily dealt with and meets
with censure, and the aggressor meets
with his just deserts when discovered.
But on the other hand, we often, very Of
ten, hear of the Confederates reeking
vengeance on the unprotected Union fam
lilies who are not ashamed to own allie
glance to the old time honored Constitu-
tlon and Government. They, the Con-
/ federate as a band Of bandits, set all
law and government at defiance, and
wantonly lay waste and destroy proper
ty, ravishing young women; and not
content with their acts Of ruffianism, add
TO them murder in the first degree. Such
atrocities as these! are they to be over
looked and entirely forgotten? ], for
one, say no By all that's good and great,
let us prosecute the war, and If need re-
quires it, exterminate all who are found
in open rebellion, or have taken up arms
against one of the best governments that
ever graced the earth,
Where could you find nation in a
more tlourishing condition than we were
two years ago? But take view of the
country now, aud see the change that
has taken place. Cities and towns that
were in prosperous and fiourishing
condition, and promised well, what are
they now? Nothing more than monu-
meats Of this mholy aud tiotriei|aI war
For it has not only spread its ravages in
one State, but in several. 1t spreads
like fire, needless of the injury it is do
ing,
See, too, the thousands that have been
cut down in the prime of life by the expos
ure and by the cannon and musketry OF
opposing armies as they have fought for
disputed territory.
Then if you will revert your mind for
little while from the field of carnage
and strife and follow me to the homes OF
the many who have fallen a sacrifice for
their country's honor, and see what an
guish and sorrow is depicted on the
coun,enances of the inmates Of the once
happy circle, and tell me how to alleviate
their Serious, thousands will at once arise
and call you blessed. But mark it well,
that as long as sympatiisers are allowed to
exist in the North, and elsewhere, Just 50
l0ng will this unholy Jratrici9al Var last
And you young men, why stand aud see
the gray headed Veterans I'll the ranks of
the different regiments? And you who
are able and hearty, dolg'ng about like a
to1 pressed hard by hounds, arc you not
ashamed of yourselves Come and let the
| gray headed veterans return home, and
you come and Gil their places, and KEEP
the ranks full. BY SO doing we can al
ways be ready for the enemy and for
any emergency that may require your
aid and assistance. Come say, and
wait not to be drafted or conscripted
but come pol,atarly
Never since we began the publication
of the Nashville UNION have we received