The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-03-27
Cen Thnmns, Renort.

We publish this morning what pur-
ports to be the testimony in full of
Gen Geo. II. Thomas, the commander
of the military division to which the
State Of Mississippi is assigned 1t will
be read with establishment, no less on
| account of the astounding develop
ments (so-called) which be processes
! TO make, than from the assertion that
Mississippi is the least loyal Of all the
States Of his department.
That there are bad men in Mississip-
pi-that some of them have got into
prominent places, and by their unprin-
cipled and interruptions course, have
professed TO represent our people, Is
most true. That men who had sought
the protection of the United States
government to preserve them and their
property from the demands of the late
| Confederate government, have now I'M
/ dertaken the leadership of a new cru
SADIE against the powers at Washington,
after the honored leaders of the con
auered banner had yielded to the in~
evitable DEGREES of fate-may also be
true. But the people are right-the
noble and war-worn veterans of the ar
mics Of the South are right-they have
taken the amnesty oath, and they in
tend to observe it. We tell General
Thomas that where one Confederate
soldier is heard expressing his hostility
TO the government, there are thousands
who are ready TO support the govern
ment if the government does justice TO
them. If there are men in the South
who are not loyal-if there are any
plotting against the government, is not
the United States powerful enough to
punish them, and not punish a whole
people for the misdeeds of a few
We had frequent interviews with
Gen. Thomas, during his late visit to
this State, and while we knew he was
not satisfied with the course Of some of
our politicians, we had believed from
his course as a military commander
since that time, in the reduction of the
forces and the relief of many portions
of the State from military control, he
had become satisfied that public senti-
ment, at least, was right. We are truly
Glad to read, however, that he does not
entirely mistrust the f~aithtulness OF all
our people, for in the conclusion OF his
testimony, he said he knew of men
heretofore engaged in the rebellion
who had become good citizens of the
United States, and by their quietness
and industry had given a good example
TO others in the South.
There is much for reflection in the
reports of General Thomas. If there
is a man in the State, guilty in manner
and form as charged, he is convicted Of
the deeper and more damning crime Of
entailing upon his fellow-citizens all
the evils they now endure, We envy
no such man. Call a man a yankee
call him an "Abolitionist'-call him
all the ]opprobriOus epithets which the
vocabulary of abuse can furnish-he
will still be respectable in comparison
with such a man. When the good and
true Of the South who have been labor
ing for the past eight months to have
our States restored to their original
rights in the Union, return TO their
homes, and tell the people that there
is a faction at home-small in numbers,
it may be true, but whose influence
had been greatly magniied by u enc
mies-which is holding over us all the
evils of which we complain, then will
Southern people open their eyes. Then
will they appreciate that the reckless
revolutionlsts and fanatics OF either
section, are not their friends; but their
only friends are those who counsel mod
Grafton and f~orbearance, who seek
peace and quietude at any sacrifice ex-
cept that of principle, and who looking
to the future with hope, leave the past
to memory alone.-The testimony OF
General Thomas, whose influence Is
powerful, is against us. 1t can only be
counteracted by correcting his impress.
sions, and proving them incorrect
Upon the people themselves lies that
responsibility Ficks51yg N7os.