The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1867-07-11

by so doing they would be again in the
Union as before. The many believed
this and withdrew their support and
deserted their colors. The few who
disbelievcd were ovcrpowered. But
more than two years have passed
more than halfthe period Of the actual
conlict--and the Southern people, now
thrice deludcd, have not enjoyed the
blessings of the Union! Why? Be-
cause these leaders of the North-true
to their original hatred, and perfectly
logical in that hatred-declare the
Union shall not be restored except on
terms which practically destroy the
Constitution, and which certainly leave
no Union except one founded in force.
And thus far the Northern people eli
ther have failed to comprehend, or
have consented to sustain their treach-
cry, and, to give the last development
of their most remarkable history, we
see some Of our Southern counsellors,
who urged us into secession as the on
~ peaceful method of securing our
rights who afterward led us to subju-
CATION rs the only method of escaping
military d~espotism now Boosting Of
the great confidence heretofore reposed
in their counsel, advising us to accept
the proposed terms for a new Union!
With such experience fresh and still
increasing, how shall we wonder if
true men doubt, ifbrave men fear and
if good men despair?
For thirteen years the actual revolu-
ton has been right onward and is
still onward. lie is stupidity blind
who does not see that the evils before
us are far greater than the evils present
and behind us. Our people have
drank bitter cups, but they are us hon
ey when compared with the cups they
must drink if the child is not taken
from the wolf, if the constitution is
not taken from the nursing care Of
those who late it, ii the Government
shall continue to be administered by
its enemies.
If anything I may say shall tend,
however slightly, to avert the evils
which threaten the country, shall not
only be satisfied but happy. l have
no party to serve, and no personal
ends to accomplish.
l frankly admit my opinions hereto
fore have not been accepted by a ma
jority of the people. / have never
thought that what the majority be-
lieved was, therefore, true; or what
the majority did was, therefore, right.
My political life has been hut a strug-
gle against prevailing opinions and
politics. When policies have been
fixed and adopted in spite of my oppo-
%sition, | have labored to work good re-
suits in spite of my convictions that
the policies were unwise. And when
| see the ruin which has been wrought,
/ can but rejoice in the rccollections
that l was not one of the chosen archi-
tects. | do believe the people have
incurred and still mourn only because
wicked men have ruled and still rule;
and | believe wicked men have been
chosen 10 rule only because they have
made political issues to fomcnt popu-
lar passions, and have suited their
conduct and opinions to the popular
passions so fomeuted.
These notes are, therefore, given to
the public, claiming no title to considc-
ration, except that they are written,
MOTTO please that public, but to aid in
arresting the further progress Of q rev
olution which has been so prolific of
ruin in the past, and which is so fear
fully pregnant with ruin for the future.
1t may turn out that no man-that no
human power can arrest this revolu-
ton. II may be that a change of gov
crnment, through IN ordeal of anarchy,
is inevitable. But this much every
mar can do: He can see to it that, if,
this destruction must come, it shall not
owe its coming to his consent. If the
Constitution must be violated, it shall
not be by him. If the Government
must be %subverted, it shall be the work
of others. This, therefore, patriotic
reader, is all the promise | exact--in
advance; thaty whatever others may
do, you will support the Constitution,
and oppose whatever is contrary there
to--for mark this: Whatever else
people and rulers may do, they cannot
support or preserve the Government
by violating its fundamental law.