The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-06-01
Reconstruction IN .Alabsma-Primary
Meeting In Huntsville.
oorrespondeBoe Of tho Nasbvne UniOn.l

Correspondence OF the Nashville Union.l
The citizens of this place hsv long
been looking for some of their leading
men to call q meeting for the purpose
of restoring civil law to the State.
This would doubtless have been done
long since, but for the illness and death
of the lamented Clemens. He is now
among the men that were. Peace to
his ashes. Whatever might have been
his errors, he was generous to a fault
and true at heart
This morning we were informed by
posters that Hon. L. E. Parsons, of Tai
ledega county, would address the citi~
zens Of this county, at the cOur house,
at u m on the state of the country,
and on repsiring to the place of meet
ing | found some 300 or 400 Of our
most wealthy citizens assembled I
noticed but few military men present,
among whom were Col. Horner, the
popular commander of the Post, and
Lieut. Savage, A Q n, both Of the 18th
Michigan V. V. l.
The meeting was called to order by
Judge Humphreys who, in a few compi-
mentary remarks introduced the speak
er Of the day as an old resident of
Alabama, having known him for p
years, and q man that knew all her
grievances and her wants.
Mr.. Parsons, on taking the stand
(which he occupied for over an hour,
spoke feelingly Of the present times
and the Government The storm had
passed over the land, and we were PROV
dentially saved to go back to our old
love. Our farms were laid waste, gin
houses destroyed, smoke-houses in ru-
ins, and now but one course was open
for us-One duty to be performed; and
that was TO return to the Union and
that as quick as possible; and to do so
in such spirit that the authorities at
Washington would know that we re-
turned in the spirit of the prodigal son,
knowing that we do right, and if grant
ed the privilege, we can manage the af-
fairs Of this State in our primary ca
pscity. Ifleft to ourselves the course
we ought to take now is to restore the
State to her former position, as one in
tregal part of the whole, and to use ey-
cry means in u power to attain that
end, and while we would punish trait
ors byleiUiIL aUs, courts and jury, we should
not prescribe our erring brethren for
opinion sake only. He believed there
was enough vitality left to retrieve our
exhausted fortunes. To oven the most
rabid is-ecessionists he would say that
this fruitless struggle has brought US
nothing but desolation and woe; where
peace --and plenty once reigned tri.
umphant naught but distress meets
the eye. But, thank God, Republican
Government still rules. Loved at home,
feared abroad and honOred still the
world over despite the threats ofKings
and despots.
Joseph c. Bradley being loudly called
for, responded in a short but telling
speech. Four years ago he stood al
most alone in this community against
secession, and had changed in
his opinion since. He predicted at
that time the result of the secession
movement, and it turned out as he told
them it would, and he had every con-
fdence in President johnson; he had
known him from boyhood, and believ-
ed he would act Justly by all.
Speeches were made by Judge Hum
phreys, Nick Davis, Esq, and others
This first meeting will do much good.
/ hope to see it speedily followed by
others Of the same nature.
Truly yours,