Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-16

Idfe abA illS pHDiAC tOHot are Jul Hulk IC-
garsed."
TO CONTROL ELECTIONS
AND Ruin THE FINANCES OF THE
STATE.
The Jonesboro Union Flag publishes
a notice from Capt Geo. f. Grisham, to
the members of company A, first regi.
ment Tennessee State Guard" that they
are ordered to assemble in Jonesbo-
rough, Tennessee, on the morning of
Saturday, 18th of April, 1867, bringing
haversacks supplied with three days RAJ
tons, for the purpose Of being mustered,
armed and equipped for service"
We understand Capt Grisham's com
pany is TO be stationed at Bristol, and
that a negro company is to be stationed
at KingspOrt We have heard Of no dis
turbances occurring in Sullivan, and why
should two companies, or even one, be
quartered upon the people Of that coun-
ty? The ostensible object for author
izing the organization and calling into
service the State Guard, was to suppress
disorders and enforce the laws. Already
we have evidence that this was not the
real object. There are no disturbances
in any portion of the State justifying the
interference Of the militia What then
is the reason for organizing and call
ing into service this loyal militia, called
the State Guard2 1t is clear toevery IN
prejudiced mind, that it is to control
politics and the election in this State
The Knoxville correspondent of the Cin>
cinnati Commercial, who cannot be ac-
cused of affinity with the Conservatives,
argues to show that that party cannot
carry the election, and fortihes his posi-
ton with the following clincher"
That party does not sufficiently compre-
bend the effect of the Governors military
bill. II he chooses to use his new army,
as he will do If any pretext is afforded his
election can be secured by the vote of the
white element alone. The patronage this
| bill gives him, together with the fear it
proyOkes, will make good all disafection
it may cause among moderate and tax-pay
ing men,"
thas become so apparent that politi-
cal purpose is at the bottom of this "lOy-
al militia organization, that even the
correspondents at the Governors home
discuss the manner in which he will
swoop down upon the refractory sections
with his State Guard and carry the elee>
ton by storm. In a time when the peace
Of the State is less disturbed, and the ex>
ecutiOn of the laws less impeded than in
any political campaign that preceded the
war, we find the Governor organizing a
regiment Of "loyal militia in every
Congressional district in the State, and
these troops, as now appears evident are
to be distributed to points where they can
be most effectually used to overawe the
people The law is SO worded as not to
limit the service of this loyal militia
The Governor may keep them on duty
during the whole of his term, and use
them for whatever purpose he pleases,
even to the defeating the expressed will
of the majority of those permitted to
vote, should that will run counter TO
his wishes. The Governor has already
disregarded the will of a majority of the
voters in the sixth Congressional district,
and where have we an assurance that,
with his loyal militia " to back him, he
viii respect the will of the majority of
those permitted to vote in August, should
the Conservative party triumph in that
election2 These are questions which ad-
dress themselves to Radicals as well as
Conservatives, because we have drifted
so near upon the dangerous edge of
things as to cause thoughtful men to
look with no ordinary concern to the flu
ture.
The law authorizing the State Guard
provides that the officers and privates
" shall receive pay and allowances ac-
cording to grade Of rank, as provided for
the United States army, while in active
service" That some estimate may be
arrived at as to the cost of this loyal
militia, let us see the salaries the officers
viii draw;