Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1866-02-14

Jessie u. Frazier.
Newspapers throughout the State friendly TO the
object of the meeting will please publish the above
call until the 22d prox.
NO DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN CITIZENS.
Now it needs but a single glance at the language
of the CALL to determine the political status of the
persons who were instrumental in getting it up
1.-The war has closed, and with it all occasions for
distinctions among citizens" Such is the short and
comprehensive platform of the call. A dreadful
civil war, involving in its fiery confagration doz-
Ell States of the Republic; continuing through four
wretched years, and covering the whole land with
sorrow, agony and woe; war inaugurated and car
ried on by guilty traitors. They prosecuted it with
savage barbarity staining every step of its progress
with the blOodiest and darkest crimes. They struck
with avengeful fury at the very heart of the Repub-
lie and in the effort to destroy the nation dragged
tens of thousands of her children down to death
And did they repent and dissent at last No; they
persisted with the malignity Of ends until through
tribulatiOns, anguish and mourning the loyal peo-
pie Of the land at last subdued theni and compelled
them to- pause in their hellish purpose And row,
between these steadfst loyalists and blood stained
traitors reeking still with the guilt of their stupen-
dOus crime, the gentlemen whose names are append
ed to this call tell there is further occasion for
distinctions Verify, the press dispatch is right in
saying that this call lis in opposition to the Union
memorials.
ENDORSEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT.
With regard to the endorsement of President
johnson" promised in this call, no one can be de-
ceved. 1t is the language of some not technically
members Of the Union party, who are yet by no
disloyal; but it is also the language of every
enemy of the Republic, and of republican freedom,
in every quarter of the land There is not disoy-
alist anywhere but what is perfectly willing to in
dorse and support the President provided he will
turn over these Southern States and the loyal people
therein to the guilty traitors from whose hands the
blood and treasure of the nation have Just wrested
IL n
port; and they would curse him to-day, they did
two years ago. if they did not hope that he may
be induced to betray the which he then sus-
tanned.
THE CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF THE LEGIsLA-
TURE.
There are, altogether, fiftysix names appended TO
this call. Of these twenty-eght are the "Conserva-
tive" members of the Legislature, men who in
feeling sympathy and principle completely identi-
fed with the Copperheads of the North, who have
from the beginning fought with determined obstna-
CIV against every destined to keep the State
from falling back into the hands of rebels and every
one of whom, if / am rightfully informed, voted
against the Union candidates for Congress, at the
election held last August. If this latter statement
does injustice to any one of them will gladly cor
rect it, but positively told that not one of the
twenty-eight cast his vote for either Taylor May
nard, Stokes Garter, Hawkins Arnell.
Twenty-four of twenty-eight are members of the
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,. Fifteen OF LQeSe twenty
four voted against the bill granting the privilege of
testfying in the courts to persons Of African de-
scent which indicate how well qualified they to
interpret the sentiments of the Union party and the
nature of the ostentatous Endorsement they give to
the policy of the President.
ANALYSIS OF THE REMAINING SIGNATURES.
The remaining twenty-nine names are l believe,
in nearly all cases those of gentlemen of moral
worth and social respectability Some of them are
lawyers some physicians, some farmers, etc. do
not know that any of them took up arms in aid of
the rebellion; but some of them active parti-
of that cause; others sympahized with it more
or less others were warm supporters of Mcclellan
nearly all openly avow what they call conservative
principles and not more than half dozen can be
considered Union men, in the sense in which that
term is understood by the loyal masses of the coun
try.
One of the signers, gentleman Of high charac-
ter and fine legal ability Secretary of State for Ten
nessee when Andrew johnson was Military Cover
nor, was, when the Union party organized in Ten
nessee, chosen a member of the State Central Com
mittee; but for cause, never served with 1t
His Unionism is, however, unquestoned; and his
name gives some weight to the call. 1 refer to the
Hon. E. 81. East.
Another of the signers was bitter enemy Of An
drew johnson while Military Governor; and upon
one OCCASION in the year 1852 left social party in
disgust because some one proposed toast for the
Governor.
Another, member OF the Dencn, wrote neWSpa-
per articles in favor of the Confederacy but after
ward explained that he was compelled to do so to
save his person and property.
Another was a candidate for Congress against
Horace Maynard, receiving some 800 votes in poll
of over $4,000
Two of them are useful and excellent citizens Of
East Tennessee but have never acted with the Union
party since President Lincoln issued his sublime
proclamation of freedom.
Another was an exceedingly conservative men,
Der of the lower branch of the Legislature, whose
course was so distastefl to the Union majority of
that body that they fell INTO the very improper habit
they approved of it not Shortly after the defeat
Of carefully elaborated BILL concerning the Bank
of Tennessee which ne introduced into the House he
resigned.
Another is preacher, whose sympathies are said
to have been warmly with the rebellion at one time
but who afterward protested Unionism, and finally
made himself nntnrinns for all tinnn hv rnnnsinr