The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-12-13
Sir, time has proved that that was

ed, il the two nations cannot live in peace
let all the fifteen States elect delegates, meet
In conventions, form their constitution and
submit it to the people for ratification
That was my opinion then, The
border States were on the'eve Of call
ing convention They were to stand
as the breakwater between the North
and the South.
"Tne South ought to be. a unit during
the war by all means. had announced my
self as candidate for reelection, but on re-
ceiElhg Lincoln's proclamation for troops
abandoned the canvass ut once, and IAN no
candidate claim to have done my duty in
trying to heal our difficulties and restore
peace That having failed. shall now
march forward in thV discharge OF my duty
in resisting LincOln, regardless OF false char
ges or what not by, them who are trying to
put me down. Time will tell where we all
stand"
Time has lola where stood Time
has told, as was said by the gentleman
tr,m Illinois Mr.. Logan] on Thurs,
day last, where he and ! Stood, and
time has told where other gentle,
en- sat.
Euw. sir, there is the whole of the
letter, 1t was written ina moment OF
surprise, when the waves of passion
overwhelmed my State. The next
day brought me to see our candition
IA the light of truth, and | made
haste to undo all that tiiy letter might
by iany possibility do, Now, what
did the Democratic party say when it
met in Chirago? | read from the
platform these words: "!The CoRsti-
tuition itself Is aisregarded in every
part" Here, an organized body in
convention assembled they declare
that the Constitution has been disre-
garded in every respect. And this
was said in 1864, when the nation was
struggling for its life, by political
party which professed to submit and
adhere to the Government. What
firther did they declare?
Now, sir, in order to get rid Of this
Dutican Iottet once for all, | will send
to the Clerks desk and have read Il
letter that addressed on the eth of
September last.to the Nashville Union
and Dispat, h, which covers The whole
ground and covers it for all time. TO
cCme.
The Clerk read the letter as follows:
LIBERTY, Tenn, Sept, u, 1867.
Editors Un,on and Dispatch:
SIRs: | see IN your issue of the 2sth Inst,
the following allusiOn to myself, which does
me great injustice:
WILLIAM b. STOKES AMSEsTIED.
The Washington correspondent Of the New
York World says;
Among those embraced by the recent
proclamation OF amnesty is the Hon. Wm. B.
Stokes, of Tennessee, a member Of the Thir-
tv-Sixth Congress, who went into the rebel
lion and proposed to raise troops-now a
Radical member of the last and believe al
so member elect of the present House of
Representatives.
And yet this man with the governments
al halter around his neck, has passed him
self oil for firetried loyalist." .-
1t is not true that | ever was connected in
any way with the rebellion, or the attempt to
separate or break the Federal Government.
never made n speech or uttered a word in
favor Of secession never raised any troops
for the rebel army | never joined II rebel
company; | never sought or held an office in
the So called confederate government ] new
~ took an oath to support the sO-callPd con-
federate government; never cOftrlbuted one
cent to aid the rebellion, unless it was forced
from me, either by the confederate authori-
ties or stolen from me by theft rowing bands
of thieves and bushwhackers. II it is con.
sidereJ as giving aiG, then aided exten-
sively ! never drew one breath in favof Of
secession or disunion, and not one word or
act of mine can be so construed il truth and
justice is done. 1t is well known that stood
up aud opposed every move tOwar secession
in the Thirty-Slxth Congress. 1t is wei
known that opposed ssparationih 1861, and
made vigorous canvass against il during
the months Of May and June, 1861, voting
no separation aud representation on the Btu |
of June, 1861. 1t is well known that en-
tered the Federal lines as soon as General |
Buel reached Nashville
1t is well known that I'raised a regiment Q { |
good and true men for the Federal ARMY III |
1869, and served Ms an officer and soldier IN !
the same until the spring Of 1865, when | I
was honorably discharged. Ii is well known |
that while in the army never IisobeYed an
order from superior officer.
] dislike to trouble you with this, but justice |
demands a fIt denial OF such gross misrep-
RESERVATIONS. No Government halter was e97 |
er around my neck, for the good reason of
never having committed an. OIense against |
Government, either by word t'r deed. You,
no doubt, have had the halter about your |
neck for tFeasun, aud, n justice had been
done, the props woGld heye been knocked !
from under you, ami cleIr daylight would |
have been seen between yOu and earth, and |
there kept suspended until you ceased TO
kick or give sigus OF treason.
But maRnanimous Cover r-ment foreave |
you, and permitted you TO five and to follow |
some honest avocation for living Now, |
10 order to reap revenge and put forth your
hatred for the Federal Government, you are
aud publishing base fdsehoods
against the men who stood true to the Union
and Federal Government during our unhap-
py struggle.
Now, sirs, in conclusion. let me ask you to
publish this letter ia your paper, and here
after con6n1 yourselves to facts. / do not
charge you with Intending to injure me in
but the hatred you have toward
the Union party causes you to thus act.
am IN hopes few lines Of correction will
put the matter right between us, and we will
4. 4. r a. f,