The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-08-23
From the Missouri Republican,
Etheridge to- tn c President
why Emerson EtEeridge was Ar
reSted--Caustic Review of Andy
Johnson. and ParsOn BrOyynlOyy.
COLUMBUS, KY, july IS. 1865.

COLUMBUS, KY, July IS, 1865.
To His Excellency, Andrew Johnson President
of the United States:
THE HON. HORACE GREELEY-the
wisest and among the best of your
personal friends-once addressed your
distinguished predecessor through the
columns of his newspaper. He wrote in
behalf of the "colored race" | am en-
boldened by his example to invoke your
attention to the condition of the unfor-
tunate whites Besides, [ know how you
are surrounded by political and religious
patriots, who daily approach the throne Of
Executive grace to assure you of their
love of country and detestation of place;
and to offer up their fervent prayers for
the restoration of your health, and the
iprolongation of your Invaluable life
Perhaps some one Of these may see this
communication and present it to the at
tention of your Excelency. In this press
upon precious time, l make no estimate
of the intervals you so cheerfully devote
to the crowds of coutrabands who consti-
tute so much of the elite of the Capital
l know the magnanimous nature of
your Excellency, and [ fear the sad an
nouncement 1 have to make will prove in
| furious, if not fatal to the delicate sensi-
bilities of your noble and generous heart
[ was arrested at my home in Dresden,
Tennessee, on Friday last, (hangman's
day,) by detachment of armed soldiers,
whose department and appearance would
do honor to any service. They are known
in the Army Regulations as ''colored
troops" but. to their shame be itspoken
your old friends still persist in calling
them 'niggers." They were commanded
and directed by four or five white men,
who arrested me as Mr.. Adder-rig, from
which, infer they claim lager beer ma
tionality. deem it my duty TO report
that your old friends of the secesh per-
suasion still persist in that reasonable
practice of calling the personnel of such
expeditions, "d-d Dutch and niggers." !"
Y ou will doubtless be relieved to hear that
the expedition was success. Though
had timely warning Of the approaching
raid, preferred surrender to hopeless re
sistance, and the command reached this
city without material loss, treating me,
since my arrest, with courtesy and kind
ness, for which [ am grateful.
/ have been here five days, and though
have not yet been able to obtain the
names of my aceusers, or copy of the
charges, if any, upon which was arrest
ed, | have obtained from other sources
information upon which L rely, of the
| causes and motives of my arrest. am
charged with using reasonable language
against the Government of the United
States, and the Government of Tennessee
and of speaking disrespectfully of your
Excellency and Of the Right Reverend
William g. Brownlow, who, unmindful
that the Constitution of Tennessee ex-
cludes all ministers from civil Office, is
now claiming to have successfully seized
the Office of Governor of said State. Fur
ther, and truly, that have given pro.
fessional opinion, declaring that the slaves
of Tennessee had not been made free by
law. AS 1 will no doubt be held priso
ner until after the election farce in Ten
nessee is over, promise to indulge por
tion of my leisure in giving you con
else statement of same things | did say
and the circumstances under which [ hav,
provoked the military displeasure of tha
mander in Chief.
A public meeting of all the citizens o
WeakleY County, Tennessee, was called a
Dresden on Saturday the 1st day of Jul,
, last, to consider the best course to b
adopted for the interests of all. Tha
} meeting was very large, and was address
ed by William 7. Caldwell and myself
On the following Monday, July 3,
9 very large meeting was held at Trenton
Gibson County, which | addressed fo
three hours. Isaac Sampson, one o
Browlow 5 newly appointed Circuit Jud
ges, having,as he said, full civil and Grim
inal jurisdiction to arrest and try all of
. tenders, was present. He had one o
Brownlow's Sheriffs and several of hi
Justices of the Peace present. And i
: their presence he addressed the mpltitud
e from the same stand had occupied; ye
he did not as much as hint at my arrest
he only threatened the people with an in
i. vasion of Federal troops (meaning ne
y groes,) to deter them from voting for me
: At the close of the meeting, resolution
a precisely similar to those passed at Dres
: den were unanimously adopted. | wa
? unanimously nominated for Congress, an
> the pretended Senator and Representativ
J. from that county was unanimously reques
il ted to resign.
If | was to have addressed similar meet
e ing at Paris, Henry County, on Saturda
n last, and would have done so had I nc
, been arrested. AS the offensive word
are alleged to have been spoken in m
Dresden speech, (they were substantial
repeated at Trenton,) | will give you, al
curately and concisely as can, what
said of you at Dresden. Indeed, wi
give you the precise words of my exord
70 um in which you were first personally a
70 luded to. Addressing myself to the al
{ dience said
''You have witnessed the rise, culmin;
ton and overthrow of rebellion, in a
respects the most astonishing in tt
worlds history; astonishing because {
the numbers engaged, the resources it $
suddenly improvised, and the duratio
and intensity of the conflict. 1t was onl
less astonishing than henumbers and 7,
sources it encountered 1t has ended ;
all rebellions must end, when opposed b