The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-05-26
me NnshvIIIo union uIub.
MuRrREEsBonO', May 81, 1858

EIitor Nashville Union:
Since the outbreak Of the rebellion.
when left your city to enlist in The U.
s. Army--at which time the state Of
affairs rendered 1t incumbent on me TO
take a stand in the great struggle inau-
gurated by the bombardment of Samter
Il have been a deeply interested OBJ
server Of public affairs, throughout the
entire country as well as in Tennessee.
At that time / might as patriotic
refugee from Dixie have applied for a
patriotic d byernment berth; but, de-
spising then, as | do now, the whining
exile who is able aud does not shoulder
his musket or sabre, ia ftrlherauce OF
his principles and in defence Of his fire.
side, I entered q service where few men
continue TO entertain for twenty-five
consecutive months conciliatory prin.
ciples towards rebels in arms or sneaking
towards in our midst
1t is unnecessary for me, for the mere
effect, to enter into detailed statement
of soldiers hardships and the thousand
and-one descriptions of vilainous treat
ment inflicted on our soldiers and men OF
known Union sentiments by the "chiy
alries"-that chapter of horrors is a
historical and terrible reality, in the face
of which a Government that only con-
fiscates the property of traitors -lh,
chattles of tolatever descrpiioa--is para
gon of clemency. Such chapter is not
now needed TO impress upon US the con.
viction that the sternest measures mus,
be used TO quell this rebellion Then
why mince matters and beat around III,
bush? Why not call things by thei
right names? If we cannot maintait
the Union but by subjugating rebels
who is not for subjugation If we car.
not put down the rebellion but By
depriving traitors of their main sourc,
OF strength, the slave, who is not fo
Abolition?
Mr.. Editor, did not intend to address
you at length. My immediate object il
writing to you is to show my hand as >
member of the Nashville Union Club, il
the matter of its Declaration of Princi
Piles, now a source of trouble to few OF
the tender hearted members. / cor
daily endorse the document; and more
over, look upon il as the expression o.
opinion of the mass of Uoion men OF
your city, and destined eventually to
prevail over the entire countryside
efforts Of politicians and those whu
would guide the dear people to the
contrary Notwithstanding,
Consistency, tbou art a jewel; and
Past Records, we know how dear you
are to our Vanity; but candidly confe, 6
that t,oo years ago I would very likely
have been rebel if the war was urgeo
for the avowed purpose of the abolitier
of slavery; while to day / believe We
never can have peace while ii exists
The irrepressible conflict is now upon
us, and il zoe do not conquer zoe OiH be con,
quered. There is now no tenable neulrs
ground. Then let us hear no more abou
milk andwater, halfway measures
Confscation is mercy to rebels; anC
when their just deserts are taken int,
consideration, l can only wonder tina
Union men can be found at this late hou
who think it harsh.
And now let me prophecy:--a yea
hence the politician who endeavors t,
breast the abolition wave will be abou
as successful in making a stand, as if b,
were TO make the effort to stem tn,
torrent of Niagara.
am surprised TO see the "Pfess" o
your city behind the times in its espou
sal of the Conservative humbug. I wa
not at all surprised at the publication o
of the "Protest" in the columns of tn,
Louisville Journal and the statemen
based on that document that such wa
the voice of the Union men of your city
As far as l know of the signers of tn,
protest they are good men-some
hold in high esteem, as they passed
bravely through the times that triet
mems souls-but l have no eason Il
believe they are the opponents of doc
rine for even large minority of Il
men who have proved true through ad
versity and trial, else why not set asid,
the "Declaration."
And now, Mr. UNION, having spun GU
longer than had intended, have but {
say you have my thanks for the abb
work you have done since your frs
publication. am yours truly,
THOMAS j. KELLY.
Capt. and 81 g. Off, U. s.
The Jackson MissisSiRpiaa said les