The Nashville weekly union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-05-21
Henry A. Wise ON the Node Of Dealing
with Traitors.


Fernando Wood wrote letter TO
Gov. Wiseo of Virginia, seven years ago.
suggesting the Communication of the SEN
fence Of death passed on John Brown
10 imprisonment for life. He did this
not from merciful motives, but because
he feared the effect the execution of
Brown would have in the non|slsve-
holding States against the democratic
party. AS a sop to the Virginia Cerbe-
rus, he ayowed that he would hang Mr..
Seward, if he could be caught But
Wise didn't bite at the bate. He re-
piled in letter of soEae length. The
following extract is specimen of this
precious epistle:
He shall be executed as the law
sentences him and his body shall be
delivered over 10 surgeons, and await
the resurrection withouta grave in our
soil. have shown him all the mercy
which humanity can claim"
Wise did not swerge from his pur-
pose. he hung John Brown, taking
advantage Of the opportunity to make
military display which excited the
State of Virginia throughout all her
borders. This was done for purpose
to infarae the popular .mind, and to
ripen the people for mischief.
In pursuance of this nefarious de.
sign the pixies captured with Brown
were distributed amongst the Southern
States. Thousands of visitors to our
State Library handled, and commented
onthe pike sent to Tennessee and depos-
ted for public inspection there. 1t was
regarded as terrible witness of the
murderous intentions of abolitionists,
who, it was alleged, sought to incite
the slaves 10 instruction, and to re-
enact in the South the horrors of st.
Domingo" Political leaders descanted
upon the theme - crossroads party
drivers, echoed their sinister teachings;
hangers on, ignorant of what was meant
by the horrors Of St Domingo" were
dark and wrathful in their mutterings
against the enemies of the South.
Wise did not miscalculate the effect of
his grand hanging scene, or of his de-
posites with the States. John Brown
and his pixies became through his in
strumentality effective weapons in the |
hands of conspirators against the ma |
tional Government. ss3 so
The history of the country has been
strange and eyentful since Wise fulmi-
mated his decree that the body of John |
Brown Should await the resurrection
without a grave" A political crisis,
and crisis Of war have occurred. Men |
of the cast of Wise have been conspic-
uous as traitors and enemies of the |
Government, making deadly struggle |
TO overturn it whilst those who palli-
ated the conduct Of Brown, together
with other Union patriots, have met |
these enemies on every battlefield of
this bloody contest. The banners of
treason have been stricken to the earth. |
Wise is now fugitive from his home,
where daughter of his victim is en-
gagged in the charitable occupation of |
teaching the children of oppressed |
slaves for whose sake her. father haz-
arded his life. The violated laws of |
his country demand that Wise should |
be brought to the bar of justice. When |
this is done, what reason can be given |
that the measure Of mercy he gave
Brown shall not be measured unto HIM
self2 "He shall be executed as the
law sentenced him, and his body shall |
be delivered to the surgeons, and await
the resurrection without q gravel /
Cruel words The poisoned chalice"
may yet return to plague the in
veutor"