The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-11-18
s. @. rzKnCEHE. Editor.
Home Guards.

The policy Of forming body Of home
guards is delicate one and involves
moro comprehensive views than might at
first appear. II is one Of doubtful pro
priety at any time and especially in q
disloyal community. They are liable to
become as dangerous TO the government
a. TO it's enemies. The experiment has
been tried in Missouri and most fatally
10 the loyalmen. II was the means re-
sorted 20 in Kentucky to carry the State
into this rebellion.
In a community where loyalty has
no deeper meaning than oath taking, II
is difficult TO discriminate between friends
and foes. II would not be wise to place
arms in the hands of enemies or those
that sympathise with the rebels or the
rebellion. To discover the genuine union
men and organize them is q matter Of
care and difficulty. 1t requires time
and cooperation.
The plan for the organization should
be such as TO secure the country against
abuse. No force but one properly organ
lied, equipped and drilled could be safe
in any place in Middle Tennessee. The
Home Guards must do as other troops, go
into camps and submit to the rules of
discipline. To place arms in the hands
of q body of undisciplined men, would
be 10 sacrifice the arms and the lives of
the men. They would be at the mercy of
every free booting rebel chief that might
choose to prowl through the country. 1t
wonld be As well and better to ship the
arms directly to the rebels. 1t would
not then invite raids, theft and murder.
The Union men in Tennessee that can
alone be trusted are not able TO organize
and go into service without pay. They
have families dependent on them that
must be supported. To enlist for less
than twelve months would be useless.
They could not acquire the requisite dis
cipline to perform service in less pc
Rod.
These men must DO armed, clothed and
paid by the Federal Government, for the
State cannot now do it. II is proper
then that they should be mustered into
the service of the Government that pays
them.
The object of such a body of men at
this time should DO to aid in the sup.
preston of the rebellion. The putting
down of all marauding bands and the
defending of the families of this State is
ono of the means. But there is more
than this required of these men. 1t
would be burning shame for the sol
diers of Tennessee 10 call on the men Of
Illinois and Ohio to fight for the integri-
ty of the nation without any aid from
the volunteer State. Whilst the brave
men from the loyal States are engaged in
= death struggle with a murderous foe
the men Of Tennessee are not 10 60 to
their relief. They may linger idly
around their homes waiting for some en-
terprisiRg thief to come along. Such a
policy is as dishonorable to the men of
this State as it would be ungenerous to
the soldiers from the loyal States.
We shall institute no comparison be-
tween the policy of Gov. Johnson and
any other agent of the Federal Govern
ment. The policy indicated for Arkan-
sas may do there. 1t wonld be . very
bad one for Tennessee.
The policy of Gov. johnson has placed
in the service Of the Federal Government
about twenty regiments of troops, the
best home guard the people can have.
tits folly to think of protecting the
country az long as great armies are in
the field. The army of Bragg must be
overcome and driven from the country.
The little bands of mArauders will soon
disappear when unsupported by CEN
trail force.
This article has been written for the
public; not merely as reply to the editor
Of the Press. To find fault is his BUSH
ness, as well as his pleasure. The habit
was acquired when other parties pre-
vailed it cannot be broken up and is
kept active by the worst kind of spirits.
The people of Tennessee, and espeo-
tally of the loyal portion, will recognize
the superior sAgAcity as well as patriot
ism of Gov. johnson in this measure, as
they have on other occasions.