Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-08-01
Z. RowLEY.
MONTGOMERY, July 10th, 1866

OuIy lOLH, 1000
Mr.. Editor: The Circuit Court for Morgan coun-
ty is now in session here, presided over by Hon L.
c. Houk. Everything has passed of quietly and
sgreeably and, the at the previous term
the Judge has given the most entire satisfaction to
all. With rebels and rebel sympathizers Judge
Houk is by no means popular. His Unonism is of
too decided character to suit them, but among the
mountain men, who have worn the army bL~e he is
universal favorite and be deserves their confidence
The docket here is light and but few cases have
been will be tried to the great disgust of the law
yers who have gathered here and who seem likely,
q whole, to leave more money than they will take
away When was here four months ago, the feel
ing among the people seemed to me TO be almost
unanimous in favor Of President johnson. On
every side heard the most bitter denuncations of
Congress. So strong was the feeling that it would
have required some courage TO have publicly ex-
pressed radical views. But l am happy to say that
there has been great change in the past four
months The people here are all tried Union men,
and could never be persuaded to act for day with
the rebel party, if they understood the issues but
they have strong prejudices against the negro, and
the cry of NEGRO equality" has been persistently
dnned in their ears Besides this, they remember
the A1SdreU johnson who spoke to them here among
the mountains in 1861 such noble words of truth
and patriotism and it has been hard for them TO be
convinced that he has passed away, and that the
Andrew johnson of day is but the tool of South
ern rebels and Northern Copperheads, but they are
rapidly becoming satisfied of that fact.
On Tuesday, after Court adjourned for dinner,
Hon N A. Patterson, of Kingston. spoke in the
Court House, and was followed by Mr.. Lane of the
same place. was unable to be present. but hear
Judge Pattersons address spoken of as q calm, clear
and able exposition OF the great issues of the day
Mr.. Lane delivered himself of TRADE of personal
abuse of Congress, State Legislature, and espe
cially Of Gov. Brownlow, and his lanes late
friend and partner, Judge Patterson. l fancy they
will all survive the attack After he had finished
his harangue, Col. Shelly delivered himself of feeble
and ridiculous speech in favor of Ny Policy
But the event Of the week was the address of Judge
Houk, delivered this morning 1t was one Of the
ablest efforts have listened to for many day. He
took up the Constitutional Amendment explained
and advocated it section by section with great ab-
ty; demonstrated the shameful treschery of Pres-
| dent johnson to the platform on which, and the
! that he had followed Andrew johnson for the love
he once bore him almost TO the jumping off place,
but over into the abyss he did not propose TO 60.
He declared himself enlisted for the war" against
the rebels and their friends and told the people that
before the next term of Court they would be with
: him 10 man, and they ,ciH
he whole speech was full of point, and sparked
It'll wit and sarcasm, and it told. One of the no.
blest men l ever met intelligent and finely educa-
ted, old and greyhaired for twenty years resident
among these hills, and who since 1861, has looked
up to johnson as the embodiment of all that is pure
and noble, said 10 me, I" l am sorry I heard that
speech have loved Andrew johnson So and now
am afraid 1 must give him up" And SO it is with
sll this people. They loved him as he Oas in '6l,
but they will follow him into the rebel camp
The people hereabouts are very hospitable, and if
ice cream and soda water were indigenous to the
mountains, riding the circuit" would be right
pleasant. Yours
D..