The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-09
PenItent Brethren.

There is an old adage which says tina
as long as a man lives, there is hope fol
bis reformation; and another said Il
have originated with Teuton, that d,
longer wata man lives, de more he finds
by sching, out; and WeaHe inelinsd Il
think thatsoue Of the gentlemen who, al
arecent meeting Of about twenty ire
sponsibie politicians, passed resolution
that the UMoE was q disloyal sheet, are
beginning TO learn that both Of them arc
true.
Already two participants have Discovers
ed that necessity. existed Tor persona
explanation" regarding their connec
ton with the rebel armies, in the early
part Of the war Relative TO one O
these, we shall have nothing 70 say and
it is exceedingly annoying for us to re
fer TO anyo them, and we would not do
50, save IN self-defence; but when men
who were recently IN the rebel service
charge the UMoS with lack Of devo-
ton to the government, we would bere-
creant TO ourselves did we not reply.
We might show that at the time
these gentlemen were winning promo
ton on the rebel side Of the question
the individual who does the political
writing for this paper was winning Il. on
the national side; but the public is not
interested in the personality of an
editer; what they want is q good, true,
loyal paper; and that We furnish them.
One Of these humble penitents, how
ever, is not only our accuser, but an office
holder; and therefore stands before the
public Ia a double capacity; and he
cannot complain if his course is criti-
cised, and his career. examined with
scrutiny. OF course we refer to the
City Attorney
The card Of this gentleman was called
out BY communication in the Press,
asking him certain questions; and to
these he replies:
On 5rst reading the communication con-
eluded not to notice it, on account Of the
source from which presumed il originated,
but upon mere mature deliberation / con
ceivsd the idea that such offensive personal
remarks might place me in an unenviable
position before the public as regarded my
opinions and principles in regard TO the
present distracted condition OF affairs Of our
National Government.
Why, bless you, Mr. City Attorney,
the thing does place you in rather un-
enviable attitude; but you must re-
member certain other old adage, about
climbing, which we shall not, repeat
here. The tzsnvia5s nature of your
position has compelled you to "de-
nounce" the whole thing, and com
ment on it." and Of course in your
comments you placed yourself in an
attitude as favorable as the case would
admit But what after all, do you &C.
oOmplish2 You say:
confess joined said cavalry, ignorant
Of what / was about, deceived by traitors
and designing demagogues, blinded by
popular opinion, and gosded on through
motive Of dreadful pleasure, fanciiUl as l
thought.
Therd was no sensible man but knew
the character, and object Of McNairy' 8
band no one who possessed any knowl-
edge Of the world could ever be deceived
on that soorei yet, Mr.. City Attorney
says he was wheedled, and went into
the thing just for funl Well, a great
many others did the same and left be
cause they discovered that there was
not 20 much fun in it, after all You
we're deceived by traitors and designing
demagogues, and you were goaded on
Through motive of dreadful pleasure"
Well we don't exactly understand that
phrase; and after reading it, we are in
clired to believe you didn't know what
you were about; you evidently didn't
when you penned the words in cues
ton
We don't intend to hold you respon-
Rible for the pitiable exhibition you
make Of yourself; not by any means
but we wish to show to the public who
they are who charge US with disloyaltyi
and we are under great obligations to
you for your card, from which it is only
necessary 70 quote, in order to dispel,
as very superlstive gentleman once
said, "the remotest possibility Of a
shadow of doubt" as to whether you
really were sensible Of your misery.
We have no fault 70 find, that you are a
ft subject for demagogues TO work upon;
you can't help it; and certainly we
should be the last to dispute you The
card then adds:
entertained no opinion Of my own, fool
iah a. was, save 70 crafty my frolicsome
disposition, and solemnly aver before High
Heaven that the only motive which induced
me 10 take up arms against the best govern
ment on earth was simply the love FOR the
exercise on horseback, and areckless career.
To this we agree; and if any certih-
cate is needed on the subject, we will
set our hand and seal to strong one,
after the manner Of those who recon-
mend worthless patent medicines We
presume that prosecuting Union men
driving them from their homes; and
hanging dozen or SO, now and then,
seas fun 70 some people; and calculated
to allure foolish young men, 70
resist the best government on earth, .
especially when coupled with that other
amusement "a ride on horseback.
Equestrianism hath its charms; beg
gar on a steed VIII ride great distance
but this Is the first instance we ever
heard of man being bought over by
traitors, and demagogues, by ride on
an army mule, and cavalry saddle,
Mind, we do not make the assertion
but Mr.. City Attorney says 50 himself
But he Is penitent
II Heaven will pardon the crime com
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