Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-05-14
FREESPEECH sUPPREsSED IN EAST
TENNESSEE

1t was stated in the Knoxville Whig
few weeks since that Col. r. NJ. Ed
wards, of Cleveland, had been indicted
by thsagFand Jury of McMinn county,
''ior making an insurrectionary and trea-
sonable speech in Athens The insur-
rection and treason Of which Colonel
Edwards was guilty consisted in making
speech in which he had told some un>
pleasant truths in regard to the present
State government Another gentleman
in East Tennessee, who attempted "A simi-
lar piece of mental labor was silenced
on the ground that twas Htreason against
the State to discuss the Indebtedness Of
the State and the high taxes imposed up
on the people The gentleman tells the
story in the following communication to
the Bristol Neus:
BRTsToL, Tenn, May 7, 1S67.-By your
permission | wish to chronicle certain facts
that transpired at Blountville yesterday
With but one exception il has not paral-
lei in the history OF the couHtry. Being
firm, unconditional Mon man, aud being
called upon 10y many of nay friends 20 be-
come a candidate 10 represent them in the
next Legislature Of Tennessee, /, by per-
mission Of the chairman Of the court, G. F..
Warren, Esq, felt it my duty and privilege
TO address the citizens of the county on the
leading topics of the day but had not pro
ceeded far in discussing our great indebt
edness of the State and county, BY high
taxation, when ! was called to order and 10
abandon my speech, a. he considered it
treason against the State.
Thus trammeled and gagged, of course /
had 10 abandon my speech. Now, sir,
wish il TO be understood that | always OPP
posed the old Democratic party, because of
its extreme Radicalism- being dangerous
to our free Institutions. | opposed the
rebellion as being unnecessary and mischiey
Gus based, as il was, upon secession, which
was unconstitutional. Having acted there
fore with the Union party fot the restoration
of the State and Union, | consider my
treatment at BlOuntVille one of the most
outrageous acts perpetrated since the rebel
lion and have come to the conclusion that
when we, the loyal people of the State of
Tennessee, can no longer publicly discuss
the dangerous and extreme measures of our
representatives, that we are ruined peo-
pie. oh, for the good old times of years
gone by, when we were permitted TO hear
free expressions Of thought and sentiment.
1t becomes every good man to consider we'll
10 what point we are drifting.
intended to vote for Gov. Brownlow
and my friend Judge Butler, but could
be assured that they consider it an act Of
treason against the State to discuss publicly
the leading principles of the government,
in which all the people are interested, then
! could not vote for them, though they be
my personal friends.
And ! call upon all the good loyal men |
of this county and State 10 be careful how |
they cast their votes at the coming election.
Take warning for the future by the past. |
l had not fully determined to become q
candidate at that time, but now | feel il my |
duty more than ever 10 run, and deuounce
the party whose evil deeds are 40 dark az
not 10 be willing to have them exposed
the evil deeds, HisTule aud unwise policy
of the present party. | will issue my cir
culars in a few days, in order that the
people NAV understand the true position Of
our political affairs, and may vote for the
true interests Of their State and county.
J. s. SHANGLE.
The Bristol Ne1rs SAYS Mr.. Shangle ''is
a Radical, but opposed to the militia bill
and extravaganza Of the last Legisla>
tare