The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1866-03-03
Can such Things be True ?
It ia said that many Of those wi

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Y It ia said that many Of those who
are most conspicuous in this State, in
the advocacy Of the proscriptive policy
Of the radicals--who cling closest to
the system Of test oaths--and who
would disfranchise more than three
fourths Of the people of the State
have not been altogether free from the
taint of infdelity to the cause of the
Union. We do not profess to know
whether these imputations are strictly
correct to the extent stated; but they
have gained such currency that their
Introduction into the press could
scarcely give them greater publicity,
and might be a service to the parties
by giving them knowledge of what is
being said Of them. With this view
we give briefly the substance of cur
rent allegations against several Of them :
Col. VIM, B. Stokes.---It is said that
this gentleman, in the month of May,
1861, declared that the time had come
to resist the expressions of the Fede-
raj Government; that he commended
Gov. Harris for his course; that he
was " for arming the State and resist
ing Lincoln to the point Of the bayo-
nett" that he enrolled his name as q
volunteer to resist what he then called
(" Lincom's usurpation;' that he OPP
posed, in and out Of Congress, the
doctrine of coercion, desired to see the
Southern Confederacy recognized with.
out bloodshed, and was in favor of a
military league with the Southern Con-
federacy. 1t is furthermore alleged
that after that, he attended one ormore
meetings where volunteer companies
were forming and organizing--deliv-
cred addresses encouraging enlist
ments, and contributed money to aid
in their equipment. We desire to know
whether these can be denied with
truth. .
Mr.. Secretary Flctcher.-It is asser-
ted that the Secretary of State, in
whose handwriting it is said the pend
ing franchise bill was presented to the
House. was an applicant to the Confed-
crate authorities at Richmond, the first
year Of the war, for military com
mission in the Confederate service, or
for authority from the Confederate
war office, to raise regiment for the
':rcbel" service, and showed every dis
position of friendly interest in the
cause It is also asserted that he
"shamelcssly dealt in human flesh as
late as the year 1868. Can this be
truthfully denied? ..
Mr.. Arnell-This worthy gentleman
is understood to have given the light
of his countenance to the cause of
the rebellion" by subscribing to the
equipment Of a military company for
service in the Confederate army. Ut
is not, however, alleged that he paid
the subscription.) He, then sought
and obtained letters of recommended
ton to the appropriate Confederate au-
thority, upon which he was enabled to
get contract to furnish leather to and
for the use of the Confederate Govern
ment, an article which was always in
great demand, and absolutely indispen-
sable to their success. He did furnish
the leather. .
Mr.. Senter-a Senator's known as
a member Of the "Rebel legislature
of 1862; it is asserted that he took
the oath, which was then required, to
support the Constitution of the Confed-
crate States; that upon the fall Of Fort
Donelson, he obeyed the proclamation
of Gov. Harris convening the Legisla-
ture at Memphis, and remained with it
until its final adjournment.
Similar reports are current respect
ing the record of many others who are
signalizing their devotion to the Union
by ostracising their fellow citizens, and
by q course of policy which eifectually
destroys the essential elementary prin-
ciples Of republican systems of govern
ment If we have apropcrunderstand
ing of the proposed franchise law, these
gentlemen would be excluded from the
privileges of the ballot under its opera
ton. There are, we imagine, within
the limits of the State very few who
were citizens in 1861, who could com
ply with all its provisions honestly,
and be allowed to vote.-Union and
Imeyic0n. r....r ...