The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-07-18
F.rewarnod, FOrearmed.

EMIEM - - -
In the latter part Of the spring and L
early part Of The summer OF 1862, the :
prospects OF the rational cause appeared =
quite hopeful in tlis State. Loyal men 8
were elated and rebels disheartened. I
Deserters from the Confederate army
came into our lines and gave themselves
up, declaring that they we're sick of the
rebellion. The authorities, exercising a
noble charity and msgnanimity, received
them without hesitation. What followedY
In the course OF the season, % the rivers
fell. and various circumstances favored
guerrilla operations, many Of these pro-
fused peni,ents, ,fier having enjoyed q
long resi- at home, and rep0enisbed their
ragged wardrobe, rejoined their old 50
s~ociates in guilt, taking with them =
large amount OF information very valua-
bic to the rebels. Thus, while many
remained faithful TO their oaths, many
others resumed the work of highway
robbery and murder.
Deserters are again leaving the shat
tered ranks of Brsgg's army, and delv-
ering themselves up TO our authorities
Some place their number as high as TO-
600. but half that number would be very
large and perhaps approximates the
truth.
We are still in favor of exercising a
wise clemency towards these unfortunate
and unhappy men, thousands of whom
have doubtless been dragged into the
rebel ranks at the point of the bayonet
and Of showing that il is the purpose OF
the Government to pardon the masses,
and punish with severity the wealthy, in
t%elligent and influential traitors. This.is
The policy both Of Justice and humanity
IL is not right that National justice
should be transformed into o remoreeless
vull ure Of revenge. But justice to the
law-abiding community, at the same time
demands that all Of these deserters from
the rebel army shall not be turned loose
without any discrimination. We have
no doubt that many of them have re-
turned for the same trescherous purpose
which influenced many last summer o.
pursue the same course. Those who
have been active in fomenting mischief
and rebellion, should not be suffered to
go at large. They should be arrested
Instantly and held as prisoners, for they
are after no good. They are Loss TO al
sense Of honor, they do not regard theft
osths, they are filled with the spirit O
ruaianism and yagabondism. tits not 81
much treason as innate villainy that i'm
pels them in their course. Swear them
bind them with promises and bonds, a.
etill they will oVerleap them all, rol
your peck Is and cut your throat in tn
y Pi bargain, if some disaster should chanc'
to cripple us temporarily. Nearly ever,
f neighborhood has one or more of thes
ringleaders of scoundrelism, and where
ever these fellows turn up under the pre-
tence OF being deserters, they should b
secured permanently. IL would not b
polite to drive back really p%enitent ne
into armed treason, but it would be f.
better to have the outlaws whom we hav
characterized in the rebel ranks, fghtin
against US openly, than 20 have ihel
within our lines, ostensibly loyal but
fac acting as spies and smugplers an'
when occasion offers, Is horsethieves On
murd .rers.
The work of purgation and %puriica
ton might as well, perhaps, better con
mence here ia Nashville and Davidso
county, than anywhere else. 1t is ii
duty Of loyal citizens 20 point out ihol
dangerous characters 70 the authoritie
aud have them disposed Of, IL the goo
citizens refuse to do this, they need nc
be surprised to see the old work of rot
berry, horse Stealing, guerrilla r%eoruiiir
and murder renewed At their doors, ju
asst was last summer. Due regard Il
.s their W safety should prompt them
use earnest e%xertions to expel the,
scOundrels. Do as tho loyal men Ia mar
counties OF Missouri have done and a.
still doing. Tell such men as Dick NJ,
Cann and Lewis Kirk, that oath or
oath, bond or no bond, desertion or
assn deser,ion, they shall not IN any case rena
among yoa. Better make halt the Sta
a wilderness than tolerate the return
these outlaws, We hope that all tbe d
Ceived and misguided will be receiv
back, after proper and necessary preca
tions, but we want 10 see no indulgeu
shown to desperadoes and i~ntellige
traitors. Such men are in no sense
acquisition TO the State; we are far bet
of without them.
Tbs path 70 safe and enduring pea
for Tennessee lies straight through
complete destruction of sla0ay. To dial
and tamper with Conservatism or pr
slaveryism win surely involve her
still greater trouble and difficulty.
she wishes to obtain happiness she mt
first be just, She cannot hope at Il
day, when the light Of Heaven OF
truth, fills the world with its glory, e
g.