The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-12-01
&. C. MERCER, EGitOr.
TUESDAY MORNING, Bee. j, 1853.

The Press Of yesterday copies POr-
ton Of our remarks on Saturday, touch
ing the past political history of the
people of this State, and cOmmends i!
as containing more practical truth and
lust observation" than is usually 10 be
- -found in the UNION. But the Press
asks
Can anv man with head or a heart
or sven respectable gizzard, conclude
g. that people so honest and patriotic, and
SO devoted 10 the Union, would or could
49, In three months become corrupt and trail
torous Is il consonant with the known
~ laws of human nature, that an entire
community, so devotedly patriotic, should
- at once and en- anas5e reverse the whole
80 current, of their previous thoughts and
feelings, and deliberately and maliciously
act against not only their most intense
F convictions, but their most cherished
prejudices? . o. Gees 15 a
Unfortunately, the experiences of the
past two years prove that the great mass
Of the people of Tenneasee-Biddls
Tennessee pstticularly--did become en-
tirely corrupt and traitorous," changed
Yn the @whole current of their previous
thoughts and feelings, and deliberately
and maliciOusly act against not only their
most intense convictions, but their most
cherished preiudices." And this is one
of the most unnatural things connected
with this most unnatural and wicked
rebellion. If the Press has any evidence
that the rebels have repented, and desire
TO return TO their allegiance and affection
for the Government, il can do them good
service By producing that evidence.
Thousands of the rebels in Davidson
county have taken the oath of allegiance
Let the editor of the Press get up a call
for public meeting in favor of restor-
alton of the civil authority, of the Fed
eral Government in Tennessee, and the
holding of elections for members of the
Legislature and Congress, with view to
restoration of civil affairs throughout
the State, and submit it to these men for
their signatures, and see what number he
can get. lie can thus speedily put them
TO the test; and see whether they are
wholly corrupt and traitOrOus, or dis
posed toreturn TO their first love. Will you
dare, neighbor, TO make the experiment /?
We would not, because we have no faith
in men who take an oath and then de-
clare, as we have the authority of the
Press for stating, they do not regard it
as binding
We have before us q sample of the men |
whom the Press Processes to pin its faith |
TO. Neill S. Brown was one of the most
able and influential Of the Union men of
Tennessee. But few days before be
accepted position under Isham G. Harris
on the Military Board, Union man,
cOnfding in his honesty and courage,
went to him and told him that matters
were coming to a crisis; that Union
men would have TO arm and fight, and
asked him who would lead them. 81
will, if no one else" he replied. Well,
he led them with a vengeance! He de-
serted them and went over TO the enemy.
Last year he made speech at COlumbia,
in which be confessed that the COnfede-
racy had played out, and advised the
people TO return to the Union. What
effect did his speech have? Who, of the
former Union men of Tennessee, paid
the least heed to it2 Why, il made him
an object Of contempt and derision with
them, and be himself after enduring
their frowns IS long IS he could, vamoos-
ed fer Dixie, and the last that was heard
of him, he was implOring the old men
and the youths, and even the women, TO
take the field, and "drive tie Van
dals from the soil of Tennessee" The
majority of the people in Middle and
West Tennessee, are of the same type.
They are not to be trusted, and must be
thoroughly subjugated. A gAlVanic coat
cannot destroy the corruption and
righteousness" it covers, They only
want the opportunity TO be as mis-
chievous as ever. They rebelled with
out cause, and they know it. Nothing
but the direst necessity can conquer their
pride and compel them to confess The
fact.
As the Press is partial to anecdotes
we will end this brief article with one
illustrative of the spirit of converted"
Tennessee rebels. Some time last year,
whilst Col. Campbell was Provost Mar
shall of Nashville, a rebel was carried
before him, on some complaint, and got
off by "taking the oath" After which
the following cOllOquy occurred
I'm a loyal citizen, now; am I not
COlonelP' asked the rebel.
"Of course" replied the Colonel
al can talk now, and express my
opinion, can't y
"0f course"
"well, Colonel, didn't the rebels giUs
as LeRat Slilo1g"
The Old Adam was still in him, and
he couldn't disguise it.
The PLAN OF THE CHATTANOOGA CAM !
PAIGS.-Msj Zen. Thomas telegraphed :
the President, that in his late operations, }
which have been SO entirely successful,
be acted in accordance with the plans
fully msiured by Msj. Gen RoseerAns,
previous 70 his removal from the COM !
mand Of the Army of the Cumberland
This voluntary acknowledgment is hon