Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-01-27
Freedom Of Speech put down by the Bayonet
in GeOrRiaI

tnat the people Of Jackson County, Georgia lately
gave netce of meeting for the purpose of instruc-
ung the representative of the County to vote for
State Convention, in case Gov. Brown should con-
vene the Legislature in February; and that Gen.
Jesse A. Glenn, who holds the commission of =
Brigadier under the Confederate government, hear
ing rumor that the meeting was to be held, deter
mined to suppress it, and for that purpose carried
detachment Of men to jackson on that day
The citizens, fearing disturbance, did not hold .
meeting.
= The Chronicle & Sentinel of the 22d January,
I contains a letter from Gen. Glenn himself in which
ne admits the charge made against him, and glOries
in it He says, "if had my way, there should not
bea meeting in any County in the State" WegiVe
the letter below, as headed and introduced to its
readers by the CHyOnicle d Sentinel:-
an Extraordinary Letter THE object and Pur-
q poses Of some Administration Officials an GeOr-
gla Free Speech to be Suppressed! !-Free Dis
eussiOH to be Stopped !-Letter from Gen. Glenn
|f 0" Di,persing Meetings of Citisen'!
HEADQUARTERS GLENN's CAVALRY,
ATHENS, GA, Jan. 1S, 1855.
|EditOr Chronicle Dc Sentinel:
In regards TO the editorials in the Southern Ban
Psr and Athens WatchmGn, which if you publish
ThAt thsre is an important movement set on foot
% present IN Georgia, there can be no doubt
Those who are in favor of Convention must know
that it will result in Georgia withdrawing from the
Coniederacy, If not reconstruction Of the old
Union.
have recently travelled over a considerable Dor.
tion Of the State and have heard the people talk
am satisfied what they will do it if permitted.
If q convention be called in Georgia under the
present move, she will be sure to Withdraw from
the Confederacy. am satisfied this is the object
Of the present. movement
What good will it do to have conventioni Do
Nou want it to declare that will fight on in this
Struggle for national life That has been fully re-
solved upon. Let the people take their guns and
60 to the front Do you want q convention to give
the people chance to express their views on the
state of the country generally That is well known.
Do you want q convention to instruct Gov. Brown
If so he will be insulted
Do you want q convention to know what Of your
civil liberty you will yield up to the military p
That you know at present.
Do you want a convention to know whether or
not negroes should be put in the army? If we
don't put them in the Yankees will.
Do you want . convention to know whether or
not we will submit to a further suspension Of the
writ of hdbeds corpus? 1t will not be suspended
against those who justly merit its application.
What do you want q convention fort The pal
pable reason is to adopt means Of reconstruction.
1t will be seen that an right in this view. In
meetings which may be held to bring about this
convention they may resolve what they please or
say what they choose and make fair promises as to
intentions; but if reconstruction be treason, then
there is treason at the foundation Of the present
movement
If had my way there should not be meeting
in any county OF the State. am satisfied the mill
tary will have to take possession Of this matter
Call it military despotism or not it will have to be
DONE
In going to Jackson county went on my own
responsibility.
1t is proper that 7 should state that am raising
q command for Confederate service, which has not
yet been rendered to the War Department.
JESSE A. GLENN.
In the course of its comments on this letter the
Chronicle & Sentinel says:
"Gen. Glenn in breaking up the meeting has
been guilty of an assumption Of power unparalel-
ed in any free government He has trampied
der foot the very right lighting to vindicate
the right of selfgovernment. He has no right,
in his official capacity to attend any meeting Of cit
liens whatever. If he does not approve Of the OBJ
iect of meeting he has the privilege of staying
away. If the people pass reasonable resolutions,
then it is time for the authorities to act in the mat
ter. And it is the duty of the civil authorities to
lct in such cases, not the military. Gen. Glenn
sues that it is dsloyal for the people to meet and
consult about matters which interest them. We do
aot know where he gets his authority for such an
assertion. Every good government grants this
privilege to the citizen. The privilege was careful
y guarded in the old Constitution. 1t is declared
70 be an involable right in the Confederate Consti
iution Even in England . monarchical govern
nent, this right is held to be so sacred that when
OConuel was "agltating in Ireland poor, down
lrodden, "rebeous Ireland the people were
permitted peacably to hold their monster meet
ings," at which the policy of the government was
boldly and unsparingly denounced and redress of
grievances demanded
We are of the opinion that it is not disloya for
the people of Georgia to assemble in council when
ever they have mind to do so. If tits, the quick
e,. they show their disloyalty the better. If mat
tors have progressed that far, the people should
know it at once-before it is too late to retrieve.
We have one word to say to the people Of Geor-
gia IL you see fit to assemble in council do so.-
et no threat of any military official ntimdate you.
It is guaranteed constitutional privilege you have
the perfect right to exercise And lift be necessary
for YOU to defend it, do ii"
| The same paper notices as follows . meeting re-
Gently held at Thomasville, Georgia:
! ave learn that q meeting was held in Thomas
Vile Ga, few days since. We have not seen the
proceedings We understand, however, that among
dae resolutions passed was plainly stating that
n was impossible Tor President Davis and President
I&ncoln to settle our national troubles. Another
Soks of the necessity of and advised the calling OF
Estate Convention.
= The meeting was q very large one. Several
speeches were made for and against the resolutions.
Everything passed of quietly. .,
Brig. Gen. Glenn who goes in for "demolishing"
meetings of this kind can see that he cannot crush
out freedom of opinion in Georgia The ball has
commenced rolling and all the force and all the
patronage the administration can bring to bear,
cannot stop it in its onward progress.
Georgia is still q sovereign State. The people are
the power They are determined to be heard in
the matter. And what is more, they will bel"
We learn that Hon. R. S. Donnell, the Speaker
of the Commons, has been confined to his room for
several days past by indisposition. Gen. W. E: