Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-06
Views OF an East Tennessee Rebel In
1891

The following letter, written by the noted W. Il.
Sneed of Knoxville, in 1861, will be of interest to
our East Tennessee friends:
KNOXVILLE October Z, 1851.
General Washington Barrou:
DEAR SIR-You will pardon me when 1 again
address you on the subject of the necessary and
proper legislation demanded by consderate pub
lie policy for this division of the State. The impor-
lance of wise and Just action will justify the
preston of opinion by every citizen, but when
consider that there is not sound Southcr7s Repre-
sentative in either branch of the Legislature east of
Monroe county, it perhaps becomes an imperative
dnty to do do not forget that there is one SEN
ator and one one Representative east of Monroe who
claim to be with the South.
l most earnestly impress upon you the importance
Of adopting for the present. the general ticket sys
tenn in the election Of members of Congress. This
Is the only to prevent the sending of unsound
men to counsel with and having full knowledge of
our proposed movements against their friends but
our enemies. 1t will so very far and be most eff
cient in breaking up the Union organization, by
destroying the hopes of the leaders for desirable
Office, and more effective STILL informing the public
mind of the determined earnestness of Southern
men in this revolution.
If the general ticket is adopted for Congress, it
should also be made to apply to the electoral ticket
and if to both tickets, it should be nominated at
Nashville.
l make these suggestions from no motive Of per-
sonal aspiration, and in proof of which, authorize
you and request it of you, should my name be men
ton in connection with either, to decline promptly
and absolutely.
There are four candidates claiming to be South
ern men in the Chattanooga district and in this
there are three THERE'S time for the settlement
of such aspirations IN aud by the districts
Of equal, If not of greater Importance is the pas
sage of law requiring all cC;sting officers and Gly-
gers etc. to take the oath of allegiance to the Con-
federate States on or before girsn day. or if not
DONE the UacGtiou Of the Office and the withdrawal
Of all privilege TO practice, and prohibiting the
courts from allowing them practice in the courts
and making all judgments roid rendered IN faror Of
any client Of S0eh refusing Lagye, the object being
to make the law ecscI,te itself
If the suggestions l make shall be carried out
5eliere the best results g olLor They are not IN
reasonable, but there is wholesome power expected
in them. The present ostensble quiet in East Ten
nessee, has only been produced by ee;5ting po,ceT,
and rest assured it only snotiercd bitterness no
change of feeling or judgment has been Effected
The legislation asked for, while il is reasonable
operates on all alike-the Southern man and the
Union man-forces the Union man TO depart from
his sullcn silence, and his sanctuary Of safety nom
action he GStccu,s t. and act personality and nine
tenths Of all these mcn-judges, justices, sherifs
cOnstable5 lawyers, ete.-,yiU take the OATH and will
thus take the first and most difficult step to them
in the right direction. Your friend,
w. II. SNEED.