The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-11-03
Political Representations.

"The signs Of the times most clearly por-
tend an early division OF the so-caled Union
party Of East Tennessee, into conservative
and radical alliances The former from CO.
incident sentiment and design, will find con-
genial union with the appropriately styled
Copperhead party Of the North, and the lat
ser for the same reason, will more cordially
endorse Republican polity, and spouse the
patriotic principles SO grandly illustrated in
the closing public services of Abraham Lin
coin, apd for which, he suffered mnrtyrdom.
It can be safely asserted that the present
political organization in this part Of the State,
Is n9hght but "congomeration of irrecon-
ciliablc antagonism." Loyalty is so obviously
defined, and the crime of treason palated by
the nanly gaantry, with which it was de-
Tended, tina. there seems to Le no inyidious
distraction between then.
There are class Of claimants to Unionism,
who are now enjoying the inestimable bless-
ingb Of free Government, restored by the
vAfour of the United States Soldcry "anid
hangers dire and hardships untold, would
dim the glory Of their achievements, by unjust
and criminal ieniency to those who opened
upon as the Pandora jar of every social, NOR
al, civil and religious calamity, They were
only restrained from open sympathy with the
South, and an active and energetic participa-
ton in Its cause, by the probable contingent
cy Of defeat and severe punishment They
are more undeserving Of loyal immnnities
than those, (if any really exist, who, from
misconceived views of Southern interests and
honor, honestly gave countenancc and sup
port to the Robespierc- Dynasty.
Another class of claimants to Unionism,
40 ingeniously arranged their political status,
by studied non-commt,alsm upon the tre-
mendous issues at stake, that let the war
terminate as il would, past conduct and pro-
fessious would not prevent their being upon
the triumphant side.
Another class selling themselves into the
rcmorseless yassnlage Of the "almighty dol
lar" ransnckcd the country, Tor the rebel
commissariat, filling their pocket, thereby, and
,Hordng comfort and power, to the armed
foes Of our peace, liberties, aud Government.
Janus-faced, they smiled with appreciation
upon every extremity Of rebel misrue and
despotism, and in the secret circles Of un-
ion men "laithful among the faithless found,'
they anticipated with apparently the earliest
solicitude, the advent Of the "ruthless in
yaders from Yankeedom" After every Fed
eral victory, they were eloquent in their Ian
da,ions of Northern heroism and pertinncity,
but as the tide oil war, ever and anon, surgcd
Its pillows OF blood and dcsolation, towards
tbe peaceful and quiet valliCs Of Maryland
and Pennsylvania, they predicted as a prece-
dent of Gna' defeat that the national metrop-
oils must yield to the crushing evils Of rebel
strategy ana vnlouv. The thermometer new
or indicated with greater precision the ever
varying atmospheric state, than the fortunes
Of war, their ever varying doubts, hopes and
desires. And last but greatest, In oil that
makes patriotism grand aud enrolling, Is
that portion Of the loyal party, who, from
tho inception TO the ending Of the terrific
struggle, for the life Of the nation, by no
word or deed, placed q stain OF treason upon
their bright cscu,cbeouS Of loyalty. As inn
movable 40 The pillars Of Hercules, tho most
violent eIorcisms Of rebel persecution could
not shake them In their political faith, nor
the sweetest adulations Of honcycd appeals
and remonstrances estrango their attachment
90 that precious Inheritance of the conSiltu-
tIonsl liberty bequeathed to tho heroes Of
'r6.
Invincibly lragued to avenge their countryb
wrongs, and TO brand treason with the stig-
ma OF Ito hellish criminality, these objects
we're the prey of their thoughts, aud the am
billion Of tbelr tolls.
rhoy most heartily endorse the firm and
patriotic administration Of OUT State Gov
eminent, rs tho only hope and guaranty OF
carly restoration, 10 her former position OF
unlmpeachable honor and commanding in
1uence among the sisterbood Of States, and
th' reconstruction policy Of the lsmentsd
Jincoln ~ 'he only tosis n lasting end Ion.